France is famous for its impressive Alpine mountains and well-equipped ski resorts. In fact, some of the best ski resorts and winter activity centers in the world are located in France. The country offers a wide range of services for families, from ski schools designed especially for children and safe slopes to various activities for little ones. Skiing in France with children is a story from Eglė, a mom living in France and only a 30-minute drive from the most popular ski resorts. She shares which French ski resorts to choose with children and how to prepare for unforgettable family skiing holidays.
Skiing in France with children
“Skiing in France with children is a wonderful choice because of the mountain beauty, ski infrastructure, and great atmosphere. However, unfortunately it has one downside: it is a more expensive destination than Italy, Georgia, or countries closer to Lithuania (Poland, Slovakia),” says Eglė, who is raising a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy.
In Eglė’s opinion, one of the biggest challenges for Lithuanians planning a ski trip to France is logistics. There are no direct flights from Lithuania to major regional airports such as Lyon or Geneva. Therefore, you need to choose flights with layovers, as these airports are the main points from which you can most easily reach popular ski resorts. Alternatively, you can also travel by car, but the journey may take quite a lot of time.
Most of the expenses come from ski passes (lifts) and accommodation in hotels or apartments. Keep in mind that children from the age of 5 also need lift tickets.
Skiing with children
Eglė recommends booking ski lessons for children, which various schools offer. Six-day courses, lasting two hours per day, cost around €190 per child. Moreover, group or private lessons help children learn to ski quickly and safely.
“My children have attended ski schools since they were little, and now they ski better than I do,” Eglė says.
In addition to skiing, towns organize various activities for children and the whole family, such as night descents with torches, show performances, and sled rides.
Eglė also notes that her children enjoy plenty of other activities in the resorts besides skiing. For example, they love husky rides, slides, and walking along trails. “There is enough for the whole family in the resorts, even if you are not huge skiing enthusiasts,” Eglė laughs.
Which French Alpine regions to choose with children and where to look for accommodation
The Savoie region is known for higher mountains, so when you go there, you can feel confident that there will be snow. If you are looking for a family-friendly resort, consider Les Menuires. On the other hand, if you want luxury, you should visit the Courchevel, Méribel, or Megève resorts. These places have many high-end restaurants and shops, including Hermes and Chanel. However, with children, such resorts may feel less cozy because the atmosphere is more elite.
For those looking for more budget-friendly options, La Plagne, Les Menuires, or Les Arcs are excellent choices. All of them are located in France. In these resorts, you can find both cheaper and more expensive accommodation and entertainment, so they fit different budgets.
France offers many accommodation options suitable for skiing with children. Belambra Club and Club Med are great choices for families: the first offers mid-range services, while the second focuses on more luxurious holidays. Other popular options include Pierre & Vacances apartments, which you can choose as hotel-style accommodation or as apartments. In addition, you can use Airbnb. Prices depend on the area and the level you choose. However, the average weekly rental price reaches around €2,000.
If you want to combine skiing with sightseeing experiences, Chamonix is an excellent place. The town is lively, and you can take a train up to the glacier or the foot of Mont Blanc. Although higher slopes may be challenging for children, beginners can find suitable and safe slopes at the bottom of the mountain.
“Après-ski” culture
One unique advantage of French ski resorts is the strong focus on “après-ski” culture. In other words, these are activities after skiing that offer extra entertainment. For example, Avoriaz, known as a pedestrian-only village without cars, offers not only great ski slopes but also a cozy atmosphere with horse-drawn sleighs and “après-ski” events. Therefore, “après-ski” can be a fun adventure for children.
“My little skier first wanted to go to the mountains not for skiing, but for the ‘après-ski’. She would order hot cocoa, play with other children, and dance,” Eglė says.
