Last Updated on October 4, 2022 by Suzy McCullough
I know that people often think that Skiing isn’t for everyone. A lot of people believe that it’s not something you can do as a family. Well, there are child-friendly resorts and there is child-friendly accommodation out there. I’m here today to tell you why I think a family ski holiday should be on your family travel bucket list.
With an ever-decreasing lack of snow in the UK, a skiing holiday would make a perfect choice for those yearning for a bit of the white stuff this winter. No one says you even have to ski every day. Ski resorts offer so many other options. A lot of the resorts have swimming pools and apres ski entertainment. There is also usually the option to go tobogganing, bowling, dog sledging, snowmobiling and more.
Why not consider Ski holiday experts Erna Low for your next ski holiday? They specialise in ski holidays to the French Alps and have been doing so since 1932. Their ethos is to provide great skiing holidays as well as great snowboarding holidays coupled with fantastic customer service.
Childcare
For starters, you can book a ski chalet for your family ski holiday that offers in-chalet childcare. You have the flexibility to book what suits you and your children. Your children will be looked after by childcare professionals. So if you feel that your kids aren’t yet ready to hit the slopes you can be safe in the knowledge that they will be well looked after while you do. All staff have been checked and the childcare team has been trained in first aid.
If you want your child to enjoy the slopes they can also be taken for lessons that can last up to 3 hours. Play can also be indoor and outdoor with activities such as arts and crafts or tobogganing and hunts in the woods.
When can my child start learning to ski? The suggestion is that it’s best for children to learn to ski from the age of 4, although some do learn from the age of 3. The ski school associated with these chalets allows children from the age of 3, although their lessons will be shorter than children from 4+.
Mostly so they don’t find learning to ski overwhelming. If your child is too young to learn to ski they can still enjoy snowman building, ice skating, igloo building, sledging and more. There is even soft play in Les Menuires, Aquafun indoor swimming pool in Les Bruyeres and a little train that runs around Les Gets.
Choose from 4 resorts
There are a great many ski resorts around the world. A lot of them aren’t always aimed at families so finding the right place to stay can sometimes be a challenge in itself. Some chalets have numerous beds and rooms so a Skiing holiday can certainly be shared with other members of your family and friends.
The option for childcare and child-friendly accommodation means you can enjoy a skiing holiday at any age. Don’t forget to pack all the Ski Holiday essentials that your children will need.
The four resorts to choose from are as follows.
Les Gets
Les Gets is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It is said to be one of the most family-friendly ski resorts out there. There is skiing for everyone and all abilities. With pretty wooded slopes and a village full of character and a focus on families. The chalets are traditional and wooden. The slopes are said to be not too busy. There is even an ice rink in its centre.
La Plagne (1800)
La Plagne is in the alpine valley of the Tarentaise, which is part of the Alps. It is possibly one of the best ski resorts for families in the Alps. It is very focused on families with some great nursery slopes. The resort is actually made up of 11 villages, some being a distance apart. La Plagne 1800 is one the prettiest.
Reberty (2000)
Reberty is in the Alps and is one of the 3 valleys in the area. It is an attractive village with wooden chalets and is said to be a pleasant place for families to stay. It is a high-altitude snowsure location. Reberty is a value-for-money resort. Because of the high altitude, it is not especially suited to children under 18 months.
Les Bruyeres
Les Bruyeres, also in the Alps, provides easy access to the 3 valleys with a range of slopes to suit all. It is situated just below Reberty 2000. It doesn’t suffer quite as much with altitude issues for babies. The resort facilities include an Aquafun pool. The atmosphere is very French and extremely friendly.
The Chalets
What can you expect from one of the family-friendly chalets? Most of them have a hot tub, steam room and or sauna. Plus bathrobes, toiletries and slippers. As well as the in-house childcare as mentioned above they also offer free child places. To keep your boots toasty warm all of their chalets offer a heated boot rack and a ski lift just a short walk away (no more than 5 minutes).
You will find TVs and Wi-Fi also available. Plus a large playroom to keep the little ones entertained. Some of the newer chalets even have their own cinema room. You also get the opportunity to cosy up in front of a real log fire.
Which Chalet would we choose?
For us personally, we wouldn’t need a really big chalet. Some of them can accommodate up to 22 people! I love the look and design of the Chalet Les Chats Bleus in Les Gets. It sleeps up to 13 people with 2 family suites, 1 triple and 1 double bedroom. All bedrooms are en-suite.
I can picture us now in the hot tub on the outdoor terrace and then later snuggled up around the real log fire. It’s just a short 4-minute walk to the piste and there’s even a free shuttle bus to the ski school. Jamie can unwind in the large playroom while we sit and chill out to music on their Bluetooth sound bar, or catch up with the world using the free wifi.
Mark would be especially happy as there’s even an espresso machine! If we fancied popping into the village there is a free shuttle service that we could use. Whereas if we wanted to hire a car they also offer private parking.
The chalet looks really luxurious and full to the brim with attention to detail. It also benefits from amazing views out to Les Gets and the mountains.
What more can be offered?
You don’t have to organise a thing. You could also have your flights booked for you (at an additional cost), plus transfers, childcare, airport parking, ski lessons, ski hire and lift passes. There’s a lot to think about and consider so having someone do this for you would be a welcome help. In-chalet, meals are also offered and can be included on a half-board basis.
I hope you enjoyed my post. Have you ever been skiing as a family? How old were your kids when you went? We’d love to hear.
If you’re looking for advice on Skiing for beginners check out this useful post from Family Off Duty – Skiing for beginners – Essentials for your first family ski trip.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post with Ski Familie. All words are my own, photos are courtesy of Ski Familie
