A family-friendly ski resort needs quiet slopes, child-friendly activities and of course, reasonable prices. It needs to have easy access to the slopes and gentle ski runs for beginners. And a few family-friendly restaurants don’t hurt either.
If you’re looking for the best family ski resorts to visit on your next family ski holiday, we’re here to help. With a variety of terrain to ski and fun activities to keep everyone in the family happy, these are the best family ski resorts in the Alps…
BEST FAMILY SKI RESORTS
- Avoriaz
- Courchevel
- La Plagne
- La Tania
- Serre Chevalier
Avoriaz
If you’re looking for a ski resort with great ski schools, fun activities for kids, and a huge ski area with plenty of nursery slopes for young families, then Avoriaz needs to be top of your ski destination list. It’s one of our favourite child-friendly ski resorts because of its varied terrain, choice of non-skiing activities, high altitude and proximity to Geneva airport (just under 2 hours).
Choose Avoriaz for your next family ski holiday
Avoriaz is one of the best ski resorts for families. It really is hard to find a resort that is as safety-focused and centred around children’s enjoyment on the mountain. The ski area is huge and there are:
- 3 specific zones for beginners
- 37 green slopes
- 123 blues
It’s also good to note that in Avoriaz 1800, children under the age of 5 ski for free, and the child ski pass is valid up to the age of 15 years (inclusive) rather than the usual 12 years. There’s also a reduced rate for teenagers aged 16 to 19 years.
7 reasons we love skiing in Avoriaz
Non-skiing activities in Avoriaz
If your kids are feeling a little tired of ski boots and want a break, there is an ice skating rink in the centre of Avoriaz ski resort, and multiple indoor swimming pools, with our favourite being the tropical paradise waterpark called Aquariaz.
And of course, we have to mention the magical horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow with hot chocolate breaks to really make once-in-a-lifetime memories on your next family trip.
We have an experienced team of ski instructors in our Avoriaz Ski School and we’d love to share the slopes with you and your family. Choose between our group and private ski lessons in Avoriaz.
Courchevel 1650
Courchevel 1650 is a great option for families who want to enjoy the amazing terrain of Courchevel but at an affordable price point. Courchevel 1650 has long been a family favourite for many Skiers and there is good reason for that. Is Courchevel one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in the Alps? We sure think so!
The great thing about Courchevel 1650 is that you can easily access all the kid’s entertainment, an ice rink and childcare facilities that are in Courchevel 1850 too. It’s only 10 minutes on the free ski bus from Courchevel 1650 to 1850. We also have a ski school in Courchevel 1850 if you’d prefer to stay higher up the mountain.
The best ski-in ski-out chalets in the French Alps
Family skiing in Courchevel
Firstly, there are a number of easy runs close to the village. There is also a separate beginners ski area at the top of the Ariondaz bubble that has two magic carpets and keeps first-timers separate from fast skiers whizzing by.
There’s also a fun teepee at the top that you can visit, shoot some bows & arrows, play some instruments or get your face painted. The area also gets a lot of sun and has a number of wide, gentle slopes – ideal for beginners and intermediates with a variety of green, blue and red runs.
An insiders guide to skiing in Courchevel
Activities in Courchevel for non-skiers
Keep the family entertained on the massive luge run down from the top of the gondola to the base of the resort. For 10€ a go, you can race your each other down this winding slope, with tunnels, alternate routes and photos. We definitely recommend a helmet for this adventure and make sure you download your photos at the end!
If some of your family members are non-skiers or would just prefer a day to rest your ski legs, the swimming and spa facility Aquamotion is just around the corner. This state-of-the-art centre boasts a few different waterslides, a surfing pool, aquafitness classes, a spa, a climbing wall, a restaurant and more.
Courchevel 1850 also has snow biking with fat tyres to explore the pistes after the skiers have finished for the day. As well as dog sledding which is lots of family fun.
Restaurants in Courchevel for your next family skiing holiday
Ski holidays can be pricey, and mountain restaurants in Courchevel are no exception. But even the most high-end restaurants in Courchevel are child friendly. The Bel Air restaurant at the top of the Ariondaz bubble is the best option for family-friendly dining.
La Boulotte & Copina have great lunch or supper options with a relaxed atmosphere, yummy food and a family-friendly vibe at a reasonable price – and you just might get some impromptu entertainment from Katie who works in the Boulotte kitchen. Both restaurants are in a prime location in the middle of Courchevel 1650.
Whole family fun in Courchevel
La Plagne
La Plagne is one of the best ski resorts for families. It has it all! The ski slopes are wide, gentle and rolling making it the perfect place to explore together as a family. La Plagne also has multiple kids’ parks within the ski area with activities for kids like jumps and rollers and characters built into the snow.
Fun Activities for the whole family
If you’re looking for off-snow activities, there is sledging, the Olympic Bobsleigh, paragliding flights, husky dog sledding, snowmobile rides and outdoor heated swimming pools to explore. Oh and not to forget the ice skating rink in the centre of the ski resort too!
Get ideas on how to make memories with your family in La Plagne this winter.
Family Style Ski Chalets & Hotels in La Plagne
As for accommodation in the Portes du Soleil ski area, there is something to suit every budget. From ski-in ski-out accommodation, self-catering apartments, catered chalets and a wide range of hotels with kids clubs. In La Plagne, there is no shortage of family-friendly accommodation options.
Ski Schools & Lessons for all ages and abilities
La Plagne also has a wide range of ski schools with options for kids, no matter their age. Here at New Generation Ski School we run kid’s groups from the age of 4 years and have specifically designed groups for teenagers. Where the teens that aren’t old enough for adult lessons, but have outgrown kid’s lessons learn about avalanche safety, how to race in the gates and how to grip and rip like a pro skier!
Find out more about what ski lessons we offer in our La Plagne ski school.
8 reasons why La Tania is the best resort for family ski holidays
La Tania Ski resort
La Tania is a good-value, family-friendly base to head out and explore the slopes of its nearby resorts, Courchevel and Méribel. It is a traffic-free mountain village which is easily accessible no matter where you are staying in the resort.
La Tania was purpose-built for the 1992 Olympics, and it’s good to note that it is car-free, so extra safe for little ones. If you’re looking for a self-catering apartment or a hotel with family rooms or family suites, La Tania has something for everyone.
Family Skiing for Everyone
The magic carpet and nursery slopes for younger skiers are right in the centre of town. After they improve you can take the winding green run down from the gondola and for those a bit more advanced, the blue run Folyeres into La Tania is brilliant.
For the advanced skiers in your family, there are some great tree runs and off-piste skiing areas near Du des Launches as well as a few blacks and red runs at higher altitudes.
We have a great ski school in La Tania with ski and snowboard instructors that cover the whole of the 3 Valleys. Book your ski and snowboard lessons ahead of time, for the perfect holiday in La Tania.
Best restaurants in the 3 Valleys
Kids Events & Activities in La Tania
The tourist office often puts on evening activities for kids that may include some chocolate Chaud! Keep the kids entertained by grabbing a bum board to slide down the piste after the skiers have gone or have a play on the playground in the village centre. With a local creche right near the gondola station, it is convenient even to bring tiny tots with you and still get some time out skiing on the local slopes.
Casual Dining for family & friends
The majority of the restaurants in La Tania offer casual dining settings and early seatings from 6:30 pm. Pub Le Ski Lodge, La Taiga, Marmattons and La Ferme are all good options with kids’ menus as well.
Find out for yourself why La Tania is one of our favourite family ski resorts by booking your next ski holiday there. If you’d like to book ski or snowboard lessons for all the family, take a look at our online availability and prices.
Learn to ski in Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier is one of the best ski resorts for the perfect ski holiday as a family. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and local feel, so families feel right at home straight away.
It’s a great ski resort for families as it has dedicated kids’ areas on the slopes and an abundance of childcare facilities. The ski area itself boasts 31 blue runs, and 18 green runs so beginner skiers and intermediate skiers have plenty of nursery slopes and terrain to explore.
We have an experienced ski school in Serre Chevalier, run by Mel & Gav who have lived there since the early 2000s. Their passion for skiing and knowledge of the ski area and surrounding towns will make your next ski holiday hard to beat.
We only offer private lessons with our Serre Chevalier ski school, as it’s important to us that you have a custom experience every time. So get in touch if you’d like to join us in the family-friendly resort of Serre Chevalier, one of the best ski resorts in Europe, on your next ski holiday.
Other activities in Serre Chevalier
At the lower end of Serre Chevalier, is the large town of Briancon. Enjoy a day off the slopes and wander around the cobbled streets steeped in history, cafés (must stop: Café Turin), art galleries, tourist offices, and restaurants all overlooked by the Croix de Toulouse and the peaks that surround this alpine town.
The highest end of Serre Chevalier is a town called le Monetier Les Bains which boasts one of Europe’s largest thermal baths Les Grands Bains. With an indoor pool and outdoor steaming pools, jets, plunge pools of differing temps, sauna, and waterfall, … A must for skiers and non-skiers alike. Please note that this can get busy during the Easter holidays.
Discover more about the picnic rooms, kid’s clubs, childcare facilities and playgrounds in Serre Chevalier.
Have you visited any of these ski resorts for families already? If yes, which is the best ski resort for families? Let us know on Facebook, as we love to hear about your experiences and opinions on family-friendly ski resorts in the Alps.
