Family skiing can be a very rewarding experience, but certain ski resorts are better geared up for a family ski trip than others. Here are reviewed three of the best family ski resorts France.
Alpe D'Huez: Best for Multi sport
As well as an excellent range of ski runs, with 131 pistes, the main attraction for families in the French ski resort of Alpe D'Huez is the range of other sports that are covered by the lift pass. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ice rink, indoor climbing, table tennis and many other activities at the sports centre are all free with the visalp pass.
Near the village centre are some broad green runs, but there is plenty here for more accomplished skiers to as well with the longest black run in the world. The south facing aspect of the slopes at Alpe D'Huez have earned the resort a reputation for being a place to go to ski in the sunshine.
Les Aillons: Best for Value
A small ski resort, with 40kms of pistes, Les Aillons located 45 minutes drive from Chambery is perfect for family skiing. Split into two stations the lift pass covers both the lower resort of Les Aillons and the upper area Margeriaz. Margeriaz in particular has a superb area of green runs, two drag lifts serve almost flat slopes that even first timers won't be intimidated by. Novices then can progress from here to a second green area where an easy drag serves a further two attractive tree lined green slopes, no other runs feed into either of these green areas meaning they are safe beginners zones with no faster skiers ploughing through. Once the green slopes are mastered the choice of wide open blue slopes either in the trees, or on the mountain sides above the tree line is wide. Whilst the ski area is limited in size compared to the bigger resorts, this may be offset by the quiet nature of the resort, lack of queues and, outside of school holidays, the exceptional value offers promoted by the tourist office. Les Aillons is frequented almost exclusively by French people and thus can be busier at weekends when it is used by the locals from Chambery and Aix les Bains. There is almost no Apres Ski, and this is certainly not a resort for groups of young adults, which again may be seen as an advantage by some of the family market.
La Rosiere: Best for Package Family Holidays
The French ski station of La Rosiere was awarded the Famille Plus Montagne label in 2006 in recognition of the efforts that the station makes to welcome families and children. There is an extensive ski school here as well as a nursery for younger children. Apres ski includes a sledging area and children's activities organisied by the tourist office. The package holiday market in Britain focuses on La Rosiere as a family friendly resort meaning packages can be purchased where chalets will be filled with other families. Some chalets have nannies who are available to accompany children to and from lessons, or amuse them afterward.
Jane Hodgson - physiobench.com/physios/2/Jane-Hodgson I'm co owner of Physiobench, a web based physiotherapy (physical therapy) practice. We're ...
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