France is an ideal destination for a family skiing holiday. After a short flight or scenic drive, you and your children can breathe fresh mountain air, learn to ski and enjoy dinner together at the end of fun-filled days on the slopes. There is a great choice of family friendly resorts in France, where facilities for young beginners and mixed ability skiing are generally of a very high standard and the welcome is warm. The wide open slopes are waiting for your family to explore and enjoy – so how to choose the right holiday for you?
First, check that your resort has the range of facilities you need. Many have a good mix of pistes for beginners and experienced skiers and some offer cross country and Nordic skiing. You may also want a school with English-speaking ski instructors and special courses for children. Bubble lifts – enclosed pods with windows – are modern alternatives to chair lifts, where a whole family can travel together, so children might prefer them. Off-piste, the bigger resorts have entertainment such as concerts, ice skating and firework displays. Eating out is great quality and value everywhere in France; some resorts specialise in hearty regional cuisine while others boast Michelin-starred restaurants.
What can you expect from accommodation? French holiday specialist French Connections lists everything from luxurious new apartments in a private gated complex in glamorous Chamonix to cosy, traditional chalets in authentic Alpine villages. Chamagny en Vanoise, at the gateway to the picturesque Vanoise National Park, is one example. Most properties are easily accessible to the slopes and have bright, spacious interiors with mod cons and dramatic views of towering mountain peaks. Both the above destinations are in the popular French Alps, home of Mont Blanc and Aiguille du Midi. Other family-friendly resorts in this region are Les Carroz, Morillon, St Gervais and Les Menuires. Transport links are good here, making it possible to visit Geneva and Montreux. In the south-west of France are the Pyrenees, with some good value family skiing resorts off the beaten track and a local airport at Pau. The largest ski resort in this area is Les Angles, a family destination particularly suitable for intermediate skiers. In North-East France, easily accessible from the channel ports, are the Vosges Mountains. St-Maurice Sur Moselle is a small mountain village and family ski resort located in the Hautes Vosges, set amidst gentle, forest clad slopes and mountain lakes. This is a relatively small resort, but with a good choice of pistes especially suitable for beginners.
With such great choice, it’s easy to ensure that your family ski holiday in France is full of exhilarating action, good food, breathtaking landscapes and the chance to make new friends.