Top tips and recommendations for Skiing with little ones
Skiing may have been a non-negotiable yearly event before children but a ski holiday can feel very
overwhelming once you have little ones in tow. From getting there, to childcare and the expense of
these kinds of holidays, it all seems rather overwhelming.
Here are a few tips I have learnt from booking clients on ski holidays and going myself with my
family.
1. Flying isn’t always the best option
Due to their location, at the top of a mountain obviously, ski resorts are usually quite difficult to access. And flying is far from the cheapest option but it isn’t the quickest either. Transfers from airports often take 3 hours or more. So if you are skiing in France, I would consider driving (taking the Shuttle) or my favourite, taking the Eurostar. In the past few years, we have taken the Eurostar and spent a night in Paris (gone out for a nice meal) and taken the morning train to Bourg St Maurice. Then you can transfer to Val d’Isere, Tignes, La Rosiere within 30 minutes. Or you can take the funicular up to Les Arcs.
Club med Les Arcs
2. Good childcare is essential
If both parents are keen skiers, it is important to organize good childcare. There are ski schools, but lessons only last for 2 to 3 hours, so if the grown ups want to ski for longer, it is best to book either the creche at the ski school or a resort with a kids club. Most ski schools in France offer a lunch and creche service after lessons, so children can be picked up around 2 or 3pm. Brands like Club Med and Crystal Ski are great for families looking for longer hours of childcare and from a very young age. They offer creche, ski lessons, kids club and even evening entertainment for the little ones. And everything is on site, adding to the convenience.
3. Booking everything separately may not be the cheapest
If you look at Club Med packages, they may seem expensive at first but everything included. If you add up flights, transfers, ski passes, equipment, ski school and meals it can become very expensive. I would recommend considering all inclusive packages, especially outside of school holidays.
Alparena, La Rosiere
4. Consider going later in the season
This brings me to my 4th point – whilst snow might not be abundant in December, at the beginning of the season, usually in March / early April there still is some snow, the weather is milder and prices are much more budget-friendly. So if you need to stick to the school holidays, consider going during the Easter break rather than February half term, when the slopes and resorts will be extremely busy.
5. Facilities are important
I believe that when you go skiing with young children, facilities are very important. You won’t be out skiing from 9am until 5pm so you need something else to keep busy. It might be a pool or a playroom at your hotel or some activities in the resort like ice skating, a bowling alley or a cinema. Also, think about how you want to manage your meals - will it be easier to have a kitchen and decide on your meal times or do you consider that a real holiday doesn’t involve you cooking?
Some resorts might not serve dinner until 7 or 7.30pm, which might be a stretch for young children after a day on the slopes. So self-catering might be an option and some resorts (Esprit for example) offer early children’s tea around 5.30pm.
Chalet Skadi, Val d’Isere
6. Choose your location carefully
Check where the nursery slopes and ski school are located because you know you will be the one lugging everyone’s skis / boots etc…So for a first family ski holiday, it is a good idea to stay close to the centre of the ski resort and perhaps accommodation that requires a shuttle isn’t ideal.
7. Book though a travel agent!
Travel agents usually have price parity with what you see online, so you won’t pay extra and you get personalised advice and services.
Les Barmes, Val d’Isere
Resort recommendations for families
Here are some resorts I would recommend for families going skiing for the first times with Children in the French Alps.
High-end hotel
Club Med has everything, from the children’s ski classes, the creche from 4 months old to the 5* spa and the great food. What I love about Club is that everything is on site, so no morning walks to the ski school dragging everyone’s skis. They even wait for you by the slopes at lunchtime to hand you your aperitif!
Les Barmes de l’Ours, Val d’Isere
This is the one if you want to splurge. It has a Michelin star restaurant, a vintage bowling alley, a younger and “older” kids club (think snooker tables and Playstations) and it even has its own bakery. The location is great, only a 2 minute walk to the lifts.
High-end Self-catering
Alparena is a very modern self-catering hotel in the small family-friendly resort of la Rosiere. The hotel has a beautiful spa and swimming pool as well as a restaurant with a sunny outdoor area overlooking the mountains. It is just steps away from the ski school and nursery.
Chalet Skadi is also very modern and have a lovely swimming pool. It is right next door to several restaurants, so you have the option to stay in or go out. Some of the apartment have their own fireplace for a very cosy atmosphere.
Mid-range
This hotel is run by Esprit Ski / Inghams, so they have on site English speaking childcare. There is a High Tea served for children at 5:30pm. They even have a baby listening and child patrol service every night so you can enjoy a romantic dinner while your children are asleep.
This apart-hotel is very popular among larger families, offering apartments for up to 10 people. The ski school picks children up from the hotel and the resort has a swimming pool and 4 restaurants
If you are looking for some personalized help booking you next family ski holiday, get in touch with Claire at claire@frangipaniholidays.co.uk or on 0207 1678 332. You can also follow her in Instagram @frangipaniholidays for family holidays inspiration and offer.
Quote TINIES for a £150 discount on your 2024 or 2025 ski holiday if you book with Frangipani Holidays before 29th February 2024.