The Best French Ski Resorts for Families
Winter holidays in France are an ideal blend of stunning alpine vistas, top-notch skiing, and destinations that welcome families with open arms. For families eager to enjoy the snow together, France boasts a variety of resorts that excel in offering excellent ski schools, easily accessible slopes, and accommodations built with the needs of families in mind.
These resorts are designed to make sure that every family member, from the littlest beginners to the most experienced skiers, has fun on the slopes. With short travel times from the UK to the heart of the French Alps, whether driving or flying, the best French ski resorts for families provide the perfect setting for making winter wonderland family memories.
Why Choose France for Your Family Ski Holiday?
The French Alps are home to a diverse range of resorts that can cater to every family’s skiing skill level, from gentle beginner slopes for beginners and little ones to challenging terrains for adrenaline-seeking adults. With state-of-the-art ski schools offering lessons in English, everyone can improve their skiing skills and make the most of the holiday.
Many of these resorts offer accommodation with many providing ski-in and ski-out facilities, cutting down on time spent getting in and out of your gear and increasing your time spent enjoying the snow. France is a premier destination for families seeking a hassle-free and memorable ski holiday. And when you are done on the slopes, the variety of après-ski activities means your family’s ski holiday experience carries on into the late afternoon and evening.
Top French Ski Resorts for Families
Les Gets, Portes du Soleil
Let’s get going with Les Gets! Nestled in the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area, this iconic ski resort offers an idyllic setting for family ski holidays. Les Gets is particularly appealing for its picturesque village charm and slopes that cater to beginners and intermediate skiers. English-speaking ski schools here are known for their high-quality instruction, making skiing accessible to all family members, regardless of their skill level.
The atmosphere of Les Gets has a family-centric approach, providing a variety of activities that go beyond skiing, such as ice skating and sleigh rides, providing family-friendly fun throughout the day if you want to get away from the slopes. The village itself exudes a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with a selection of shops and restaurants that cater to both local and international tastes and is well worth checking out one afternoon after you have spent the morning on the pistes.
La Plagne, Paradiskil
La Plagne is a top pick for families due to its vast selection of beginner slopes and its position within the Paradiski area, one of the world’s largest skiing regions. With over 425km of pistes, families have plenty of opportunity to find a slope that perfectly matches their skiing abilities. The resort’s chalets are designed to offer maximum convenience to families, featuring ski-in/ski-out accommodations that ease the logistics of a ski holiday - especially with small children in the party.
La Plagne also prides itself on its variety of ski schools, which provide excellent instruction for children and adults alike in many European languages, including English. Beyond skiing, the resort has lots of other activities on offer, like bobsledding and snow parks. There is plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained off and on the slopes, even teenagers. Snowboarding is a popular pursuit in La Plagne and the snow parks are a popular hangout for visiting teens.
Les Menuires, Les Trois Vallées
Les Menuires, part of the renowned Les Trois Vallées ski area, is celebrated for its family-friendly skiing. The resort’s Famille Plus certification shows its dedication to providing outstanding services and facilities for skiers of all ages and abilities. With a broad range of beginner and intermediate slopes, along with top-notch ski schools, Les Menuires ensures that learning to ski is a fun and safe experience for children.
The resort’s modern accommodations are located near the slopes, making it easy for families to get around as a group and keeping a place for a rest or a quick lunch just a short ski away. Les Menuires has a variety of leisure activities for time away from the snow too, from swimming pools to sledging areas, helping you fill your family holiday with lots of fun days out.
Morzine, Portes du Soleil
Morzine, another jewel in the Portes du Soleil area, offers families a perfect mix of traditional alpine charm and extensive skiing slopes for all ages. The resort is renowned for its excellent ski schools and varied pistes that cater to all levels, from novices to advanced skiers. Morzine’s village life is a draw for families, with numerous shops, restaurants, and après-ski options to explore after a day on the slopes.
The resort has a wide range of accommodations, many of which are geared towards making family stays as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Morzine’s proximity to other Portes du Soleil resorts means families can easily experience different slopes and sceneries during their stay with other villages to explore during their stay.
Val d’Isère, Espace Killy
Val d’Isère, along with Tignes, forms the Espace Killy ski area, known for its reliable snow conditions and challenging terrain. However, it is not just the experienced skiers that can enjoy Val d’Isère, the resort also offers plenty of beginner-friendly areas, making it a versatile destination for families.
Val d’Isère’s ski schools are some of the best, with a range of lessons designed for young skiers and adult beginners. The resort also boasts a lively village atmosphere and the accommodations in Val d’Isère range from luxury hotels to cosy chalets. Whatever you are looking for, Val d’Isère has it.
Making the Most of Your Family Ski Holiday in France
Choosing the right resort is just the first step in planning your perfect family ski holiday. To ensure a seamless experience, consider the following tips:
- Book Ski Lessons in Advance: Build up your family’s skiing abilities before you go by booking ski lessons in the UK. Visit Chill Factore for a first taste of the slopes or to refresh your skiing skills before you go so you can enjoy more time skiing on your holiday and less time learning.
- Opt for Ski-in, Ski-out Accommodation: Minimise mess and hassles by staying in accommodations with direct access to the slopes. This saves time every day, makes it easier to get out of gear and inside your accommodation with kids, and stops you from getting stuck on snowy roads on the way to the slopes.
- Always Enjoy Some Off-Piste Activities: Many resorts offer a range of activities beyond skiing, from sledging to ice skating. Enjoying the best that any ski resort has to offer means getting off the slopes now and then and trying something new or exploring the picturesque villages.
