The ski resorts are waiting for families for the February holidays. Here is our selection of ski resorts to go outdoors with children. What activities are offered for young and old?
1- Vaujany, the village resort designed for families
Located opposite the Grandes Rousses massif and the Fare waterfallnear Savoy, the resort-village Vaujany has 250 kilometers of slopes in the area ofAlpe d’Huez. The resort can also be proud of the Famille Plus label since 2009. Indeed, everything in this charming resort is designed for parents and their children. After days spent on skis, with the family and accompanied by an instructor, you can also plan snowshoe walks at sunset with a guide, go on animal safaris, but also take advantage of the international ice rink which offers Initiation to curling and Eisstock (kind of petanque on ice). Children will be tempted by the flight simulator in the museum area, which allows them to put themselves in the shoes of an airplane pilot and fly over the Grandes Rousses mountains overlooking Vaujany. Other assets, a snow garden, a bowling alley, a snowpark to learn about jumps and slides or treadmills and beginners courses to start gently. The other essential activity for your children? The workshops of the Sciences et Malice association which offer to discover science through experiments, observations, challenges, games and crafts! Information on www.vaujany.com.
2. Unusual stay at the resort of Samoëns in Haute-Savoie
In addition to traditional skiing and sledding, Samoensin the Giffre Valley, in Haute-Savoiean incredible program awaits you: from the age of 1, your baby will be able to treat himself to his first sensations of sliding during a session of pony-sledge and from 2 years, he will be able to learn to ice skate. Of the educational snowshoe hikes are also organized for families with children over 4 years. Your little mountain dweller at 7 years old? So why not test its nocturnal version which ends with a aperitif in an igloo ? Unless he prefers to indulge in skijoring i.e. skiing pulled by a horse. Finally, for the older ones, from 10 years old, the frozen river will allow you to descend the river (icy) in raft, canoe or hydrospeed. A stay that promises to put snowflakes in the eyes of the whole family! Information on www.samoens.com.
3- To each his own activity in Val Thorens in Savoie
HAS Val Thorens, in Savoy, the activities are planned so that the whole family has an idyllic stay. Thus, your little mountain dweller will be able to learn to snowboard during “mini rider” lessons. Do you prefer speed but without compromising on your safety? the mojo skiing will increase your gliding performance while protecting your limbs by wearing an exoskeleton. After the snow, it’s time for family ice cream, since the resort offers an ice rink. More than 400m² punctuated by a sound and light show. On the spot, toboggan runstoboggan rides towed by sleigh dogs or on snowshoes, or igloo constructions will complete your stay in style. Information on www.valthorens.com.
4. Adrénaline in Les Contamines, at the foot of Mont-Blanc
Labeled Family More since 2017, the station Contamines-Montjoie located in Haute-Savoieat the foot of Mont-Blanc, is the ideal place to come and enjoy the pleasures of the mountains with the family. Carriage ride (so on snow), snakegliss (descent in toboggans attached to each other in single file and piloted by a guide), ride in sleigh pulled by Eskimo dogs, skating rink… everything is planned to delight the youngest. But don’t worry, the big ones aren’t left out either: discover mountain biking differently with the Electric fat bike on snowor test the Ski Joering (playful equestrian discipline that combines horse and sliding). Another essential: the stream (walking and ice climbing) accompanied by a guide. And don’t forget, of course, to ski a little between two activities! Information on www.lescontamines.com.
5. Méribel in the Alps, the champion resort for families
On the 339 slopes of its ski area of 3 Valleys, 50% are green or blue runs (the easiest), a relief for the little ones who haven’t yet had their 3rd star. And why not take advantage of it to pass it on to them? The opportunity for you to go and survey the other side of the station which welcomes alpine ski world championships this year from February 6 to 19, while your offspring sharpen their turns with an ESF teacher. Another strong point of Meribel which should please the youngest? Its toboggan run “Mission Black Forest” composed of 28 bends over more than 3 kilometers and almost 500 meters of elevation. For teenagers, Méribel has developed a ExplorGames via a mobile app: they will then have to avoid traps and meet challenges in order to find the “Heart of Méribel” and restore the balance that has reigned for millennia between men and nature in this privileged valley. Information on www.meribel.net.
6. Haut-Giffre, the green and fun valley
Go with the family to winter sports in the Upper Giffre Valleyit is first of all slaloming in the first ski area in the world labeled Green Globe thanks to its sustainable and preserved development and its environmental policy. On site, you can go between the village resort of Morillon, Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval and Verchaix. You can, for example, enroll your little one in a snowboard lessons while you indulge in a session of “cross-country skiing and yoga”. Do you feel like filling up on unusual family sensations? Participate with your tribe (from 12 years old) in the activity “Frozen River” and you will descend the frozen river in rafting or paddle. Freezing, you say? Information on www.haut-giffre.fr.
7. The pleasures of snow at Blanche Serre-Ponçon resorts in PACA
In the heart of the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and the Alpes de Haute Provence department, Blanche Serre-Ponçon – PureAlpes brings together three ski resorts with a multitude of activities that will give your neophytes a taste of the mountains: Building of igloos in Montclar and Chabanon, trip in snow scooters in Montclar, walks with sled dogs in Chabanon, Ski Joërin towed by a horse trotting or galloping… And in between, skiing of course, and why crown this memorable stay with a revitalizing session of Snowga at altitude on the Chau plateau, in Montclar? Information on www.blancheserreponcon-tourisme.com.
8. Avoriaz, in Haute-Savoie, a paradise for kids
Arriving at Avoriazto discover the resort and take possession of the premises, there is nothing like a guided tour by train with a horse. If your children liked the sleigh adventure, they can also enjoy going for a walk in the landscapes of Avoriaz, accompanied by their musher that they will have taken care to harness beforehand. It will then be time to put on your skis or snowboard to explore the slopes of this beautiful ski resort. Haute-Savoie. Visit of skating village and its ice palaceinitiation and trip in snowmobile (for 5 -17 year olds), a number of other activities await you to the delight of your children. The best of the resort? No need for a car, all chalets and residences are accessible by ski, toboggan or sled from the slopes! Information on www.avoriaz.com.
9. Courchevel, in Savoie, the largest ski area reserved for children
winter sports resort Tarentaise Valley, Courchevel is labeled Family Plus Mountain. And for good reason, besides the fact that your little skiers will enjoy the largest ski areathey will be able to enjoy unusual experiences such as taking part in a escape room to save the resort from an avalanche, criss-cross its ice skating rinkto attack the snow parkor take advantage of a sleigh ride in the heart of the snowy forest. An aquafun area, a media library, a piou piou club and the children’s village will also complete your/their desires. Its plus, for small beginners and curious skiers: the Western Ski Parka fun space designed to start skiing in complete safety! Information on www.courchevel.com.
10. Auron, in the Mercantour, the destination for families
The ski resort Auron in the field of Mercantour, nestled in the Southern Alps (1h30 from Nice) has 135 kilometers of slopes. Other merrymakers from the station that will delight children: its bobsled track accessible free of charge, skating rinkshis multi-game area. During your stay, also plan a visit to the sheepfold and jump to family-park (fun course in the snow). Information on www.hiver.auron.com
