Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
The French Alps are one of the best destinations for a family skiing holiday in Europe. There is a wide choice of resorts and they are amongst the closest places to ski to Britain. It’s not just about finding a resort with lots of family-friendly green and blue slopes but also about finding other fun things to do nearby.
It’s also about finding great accommodation, ski schools and easily accessible slopes. We have taken all of this into mind and have brought you our favourite family ski resorts in Europe. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Flaine Ski Resort France
With 250km of north-facing snowsure slopes, Flaine is a lovely and less-crowded resort perfect for families. There is a great range of slopes including gentle green slopes for children and two excellent ski schools. The nursery zone right next to the town has free lifts for learners.
Plus families have lots to do off the slopes including dog sledding, an ice karting track and a bowling alley. There is also a cinema, a climbing wall and a swimming pool in Flaine.
Les Terrasses D’Helios – Flaine, France
In a premium ski-in ski-out spot in Flaine is Les Terrasses D’Helios. Located between Flaine Montsoleil and Hameau de Flaine and just a 6-minute bus ride to the ski school meeting point.
The complex has a heated indoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, a sauna, a hammam and a fitness room. There is a mini-market, a cafe and a restaurant also on-site. Plus a free shuttle bus to the centre of Flaine. Kids have their own play area.
The apartments here have separate bedrooms and living rooms. There are 1-bedroom apartments that sleep up to 4 people and 2-bedroom apartments that sleep up to 6.
BOOK / Check Availability – Les Terrasses D’Helios
Totem Friendly Hotel – Flaine, France
The Totem Friendly Hotel is a ski-in ski-out hotel on a blue run. It is funky and modern in design with colourful and cosy touches. They are located just a 5-minute walk from the resort centre, a 1-minute walk from the nearest lift and ski school meeting point. Plus a 2-minute walk to the nursery slopes and ski bus stop.
Crystal Childcare is available to book at the nearby Le Flaine Hotel. This is for children ages 6 months – 4 years and 3 – 8 years. Facilities at the hotel include an outdoor hot tub and a spa with two saunas. There is a room with arcade games, a bar, a lounge and a cosy fireplace.
For skiers, there is a boot room with lockers and a heated boot rack plus there is a ski shop.
BOOK / Check Availability – Totem Friendly Hotel
Les Terrasses D’Eos Apartments – Flaine, France
Another ski-in ski-out accommodation in Flaine is Les Terrasses D’Eos Apartments. It is just a short ski down to the chairlift and a 5-minute walk to the centre. A 6-minute bus ride takes you to the ski school meeting point.
This hotel has an outdoor pool that has views of the snow-capped forest and the surrounding peaks. Plus there is a sauna, a hot tub and a hammam. For guests, there is a lobby lounge area with a fireplace, pool table and children’s toys.
There is an on-site restaurant but all apartments have a kitchenette. You can choose between a 1 bedroom apartment that sleeps up to 4 people or a 2 bedroom apartment that sleeps up to 6 people.
BOOK / Check Availability – Les Terrasses D’Eos
La Rosiere Ski Resort France
La Rosiere has some excellent pistes for beginners and due to its higher altitude, it is one of the more snowsure resorts on this list. It is great for families and there are lots of blues where you can practice at your own pace. You can even ski over the border into Italy.
Next to the town, there are green runs for beginners with free lifts. The resort has a high altitude so snow tends to stick around for longer. Other activities include rock climbing, bowling, ice hockey and dog sledding. You can also ride on a chain of linked sledges called Snake Gliss down the mountain. There is even a 700m mountain coaster that winds down through the snowy forest.
Hotel Alparena – La Rosiere, France
The Hotel Alparena is also a ski-in ski-out and it is located 5 minutes walk from the lift and ski school. It is also a 5-minute walk to the ski bus stop and the nursery slopes. The rooms are modern in design and all have balconies.
There is a wellness area at the hotel with an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room, a hammam and a sauna. For skiers, there is a boot room with lockers and a heated boot rack. Plus there is an in-house ski shop.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Alparena
Hemera Lodge Apartments – La Rosiere, France
Offering a very high standard of family-friendly accommodation the Hemera Lodge Apartments are located close to the foot of the slopes in La Rosiere 1850. The apartments are modern, comfortable and spacious.
They are just a 3-minute uphill walk away from the lift and 2 minutes from shops, bars and restaurants. On-site there are some great leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a sauna and a hot tub.
There are 1-3 bedroom apartments with the larger ones sleeping up to 8 people and each apartment has a balcony. For skiers, there are ski lockers with heated boot warmers.
BOOK / Check Availability – Herema Lodge Apartments
Meribel Ski Resort France
One of the biggest Ski Areas can be found in Meribel and at least half of it is suitable for children and beginners. There are themed ski areas for children including life-sized animals and Inuit-themed games.
The Yeti Park is a piste with cute abominable snowmen that kids can easily ski down. Along the way, there are gongs, trumpets and more. What great fun! Off the slopes, you can visit the Olympic Park for a swim in the pool or go skating at the ice rink. You can also hire snowmobiles, go horse riding or bowling.
Hotel L’eterlou – Meribel, France
Centrally located the Hotel L’eterlou is just a short walk from the slopes and it is located close to the shops and bars in Meribel. It is also a 5-minute walk to the ski school meeting point.
The hotel has a great range of facilities including an outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub. Plus there is a sauna and a steam room. There is also an on-site restaurant, a games room open during French school holidays and a pool table.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel L’eterlou
Hotel Chaudanne – Meribel, France
With just a 2-minute walk to the ski slopes is the Hotel Chaudanne. It is centrally located and a 4-minute walk to the ski school meeting point.
There is a games room for the kids and the hotel has a spa with an indoor swimming pool with hydromassage seats, a sauna and a hammam. You can relax with a drink in the lounge area before enjoying a meal in the restaurant.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Chaudanne
Avoriaz Ski Resort France
If you are looking for somewhere perfect for skiing with toddlers then Avoriaz is just that. It is a car-free village and has the Village Des Enfants which is a ski and snowboard school plus a leisure centre. Children under the age of 5 can ski for free in Avoriaz.
You can ski straight through the town or catch a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh. Avoriaz itself is pretty unique with its tall buildings, slanted roofs and wooden shingles. The streets are car-free and it just so happens to be one of the best resorts in France for off-slope activities.
Other activities include an outdoor skating rink, a cinema, bowling and an indoor water park. Plus there is a British Ski School and the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School for more advanced children.
L’Amara Apartments – Avoriaz, France
The L’Amara Apartments have a great ski-in ski-out location. It is also just a 5-minute walk to the resort centre and a 10-minute walk to the nearest lift and the ski school meeting point.
Spread across five buildings each apartment is high-end with a cosy feel to them. They have an open-plan kitchenette and living area. You can choose from 1,2 or 3-bedroom apartments with the larger ones sleeping up to 8 people.
Facilities include a spa with a heated indoor pool, a kids’ pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and a fitness room. There are ski lockers available here.
BOOK / Check Availability – L’Amara Apartments
Morzine Ski Resort
Morzine is a traditional French town in the heart of the Portes Du Soleil ski area. There are even lifts that link to Switzerland so you can ski two countries in one trip. It has a traditional feel to it with picturesque chalet-style buildings.
Close to town, there are nursery slopes and a good network of blue runs. The ski school groups head higher up to make the most of better snow conditions. Non-ski activities include ice skating, an indoor swimming pool, sledging and a cinema.
Hotel Sporting – Morzine, France
This cosy chalet-style hotel is located just a 5-minute walk from the Pleney gondola. It is close to the centre of Morzine and a 10-minute walk to the ski school meeting point. The hotel has an excellent reputation for home-style cooking.
The hotel has an indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool. There is also a steam room, a sauna, a bar and a boot room with lockers. It is decorated in a classic chalet style.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Sporting
Hotel Igloo – Morzine, France
Well positioned in the centre of Morzine is the Hotel Igloo. It is just a 4-minute walk to the cable car and resort centre. The ski school meeting point is a 5-minute walk away. It is a quaint hotel that has been styled with a combination of modern and traditional features.
The hotel is a bed and breakfast but they have a small kitchen and dining room where you can cook your own meals. You are also not far from a range of restaurants. Rooms include studios that sleep up to 4 and quad rooms also sleep up to 4. All bedrooms have a balcony.
Facilities include a sauna, hammam and a small gym. For skiers, there is a boot room with a heated boot rack. There is also a stylish lounge with an open fireplace.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Igloo
CRYSTAL SKI
Crystal Ski is an excellent company to book through. They offer packages with flights, transfers, accommodation and ski essentials included. You can book with low deposits and they are ABTA and ATOL protected. Plus when you book with them you get the Crystal Snow Promise – You can change your holiday fee-free if the show lets you down with the option to upgrade for even more flexibility. T&Cs apply. You can make savings on your ski holiday by taking a look at their deals with free child places.
Photos are credited to Crystal Ski.
Are you wanting to learn to ski but not sure where would be best for you to learn? Why not check out this post? The Best Beginners Ski Resorts in France. Ski In Ski Out Resorts are becoming increasingly popular Best Family Friendly Ski In Ski Out Hotels in Europe.
