What are the best family ski resorts in France?
This is the question parents ask themselves when booking their mountain holiday with child (ren) for the winter or even spring holidays, when the areas start to open their lifts from November 20.
Read alsoFamily skiing: choice of resort, lessons, altitude for the little ones ... our guide to a perfect holiday
The answer depends on several criteria: choice of massif, budget (rental and ski passes), proximity to the slopes or the snow garden, infrastructure, ski level of children and parents, attractiveness of non-ski activities ... The label “Famille plus”, attributed to 44 stations - out of more than 350 in France - on the basis of 110 requirements, can guide your choices. We have selected ten "family" resorts in the northern and southern Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central and the Vosges, on a double criterion. First of all, their village and their alpine ski area are on a “human scale” and offer a rather authentic side of the mountain for the youngest to discover. Then, these stations have an offer and a playground really dedicated to families:substantial structures and famous details that make the difference… All of this will make skiing accessible and enjoyable with children or adults. On track !
Also read: Are winter tires mandatory to go to a ski resort this year?
Les Contamines-Montjoie, nature in reserve (Mont-Blanc massif, Haute-Savoie)
Mont-Blanc sets the scene on the slopes of Contamines Montjoie.
Gilles Lansard / Les Contamines Tourism
Old farms and snow-capped fir trees nestled in the shade of Mont-Blanc: in Contamines-Montjoie, the mountain charm inevitably operates.
In the village, the green slope of Les Loyers with its Piou-Piou club, and that of Nivorin, are ideal for the first slides before climbing to the top of the cable cars to tackle larger routes with many modern and fun facilities. .
The Ecureuils green slope will give new skiers confidence, before offering themselves a long loop to the Hauteluce slope, while remaining mainly on green slopes.
This year, the brand new Olympique chairlift cuts the connection time in half!
Here, in addition to skiing, the 550 hectares of nature reserve offer a wild playground for families in search of Nordic adventures, including sled dogs and igloo construction.
Ideal for
: families with small children.
Altitude
: 1164 to 2500 m.
48 slopes
: 9 green, 11 blue, 19 red, 9 black.
Child ski pass:
day: € 36.50 / Beginner: € 16;
throughout the winter.
6 days: 184.50 €.
Family ski offer:
10% on the simultaneous purchase of at least 4 “Les Contamines-Hauteluce”
ski
passes, including 2 children under 18, throughout the winter.
Family Plus label
: yes.
The off-ski activity to discover
: ice climbing (no minimum age required but the need to wear a 36 to adjust the crampons).
Price: 50 € / person.
Departure guaranteed from 4 participants, up to 6 participants.
Tourist office:
lescontamines.com
Read also From Megève to Val Thorens, the mountain hotels tested by
Le Figaro
Morillon, large-scale skiing (Chablais massif, Haute-Savoie)
In Morillon, the Zig Zag ski school takes apprentice skiers in group lessons on the slopes from 2 years old.
SRickards
In the discreet Haut Giffre territory, the village of Morillon is linked to the slopes by the cable car, or ski in ski out on the 1100 floor of Les Esserts. Its domain is part of the aptly named Grand Massif which is ideal for great ski epics from intermediate level. Among them, the incredible blue slope of the Cascades which winds for 14 km to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is a must, even if it requires a ski pass covering the entire area and a 20-minute ski bus return. It is experienced as an "expedition" with a view of the entire Mont-Blanc massif, frozen waterfalls and the optional appearance of chamois and ibex.
More locally, the beginner's area offers the Marvel, a wooded green 5 km from the ridge and dotted with small places for warm breaks.
The more comfortable skiers (2 or 3 stars) will continue with the Doina, for 1400 m of elevation to the village.
Ideal for
: families of walking skiers.
Altitude:
700 to 2,500 m.
139 slopes:
23 green, 61 blue, 44 red, 11 black.
Family Plus label
: yes.
Child ski pass:
day: Morillon beginner: € 15 / child Grand Massif: € 38.50 throughout the winter.
6 days “Vill4ges”: € 180.60.
Family ski offer:
- 10% or 804 € instead of 937 € for 6 days in the Grand Massif area (2 adults - 2 children) throughout the winter.
The non-ski activity to discover:
a night hike with fondue in the yurt, from 7 years old.
Price 20 € per child, 43 € per adult.
Tourist office:
www.haut-giffre.fr
Champagny-en-Vanoise, high ski potential (Vanoise massif, Savoie)
The authentic village of Champagny-en-Vanoise, away from the hustle and bustle of the big resorts, but connected to Paradiski.
La Plagne Champagny / OTGP
Located below the immense area of La Plagne-Paradiski, Champagny-en-Vanoise is an interesting option for families of rather comfortable skiers.
It combines the charm of a sunny and unspoiled village at the foot of the Vanoise National Park, with 8-minute cable car access to one of the most famous ski areas in the Alps.
If a Piou-Piou park is offered in the village, most of the skiing for children also takes place at the top of this gondola, with all the structures (slopes and ski schools) totally adapted to young gliders.
Those who can will have a blast on the area's renowned red runs or set off to attack the 425 km of Paradiski!
Once back, the valley of Champagny le Haut will be the scene of memorable snowy experiences, in Nordic skiing as in sledging.
Ideal for:
pure skiers who have become parents.
Altitude:
1200 to 3250 m.
127 slopes:
7 green, 74 blue, 35 red, 8 black.
Family Plus label:
no.
Children's ski pass 5-12 years old Village day:
36 € / day La Plagne Champagny-en-Vanoise, Montalbert and Montchavin-les Coches sectors, from 12/18 to 04/23/22.
6 days La Plagne: 228 €.
Family ski offer:
-30 € per person depending on age category, for the simultaneous purchase of 4 La Plagne
ski
passes (2 adults and 2 children) from 6 to 15 days, throughout the winter.
The non-ski activity to discover::
Initiation to climbing on the 22m high ice tower of Champagny le Haut (unique in France).
Supervised activity.
Price: from 45 € / pers.
Tourist office:
la-plagne.com
Read also In Savoie, five family hotels to book for skiing
Orcières-Merlette, the great discovery (Ecrins massif, Hautes-Alpes)
On the Rocherousse plateau, in Orcières Merlette: the white immensity as a playground.
Gilles Baron
Under the Hautes-Alpes sun, this resort perched at an altitude of 1,850 m saw the birth of the first snow garden in 1967 and has since remained resolutely turned towards children.
The ski area at the southern tip of the Ecrins National Park is suitable for beginners and experts alike.
The learning tracks, the many ski lesson formats and the landscaped areas such as the immense Rocherousse plateau with its most playful “winterparc”, are complemented by interesting discovery workshops behind the scenes of the mountain (ski patrollers, snow groomer drivers, farm tours, etc.) and other thrilling activities such as ziplines or bioethanol snowmobiles.
And to get away from the holidays without feeling guilty, the resort offers its historic “Schoolbag in the snow” stay, which includes in addition to accommodation and ski lessons, six afternoons of homework help and support. for 6-11 year olds, as well as unlimited admissions to the swimming pool and the skating rink.
Ideal for:
dynamic and curious families.
Altitude:
1850 to 2725 m.
51 slopes:
9 green, 17 blue, 18 red, 7 black.
Family Plus label:
yes.
Child ski pass:
day 30 €.
6 days € 141.60 “only ski” or € 167.70 with swimming pool and ice rink.
Family ski offer:
6 adult days at 174.60 €;
child at € 141.60 from 12/11/21 to 04/18/22.
The off-ski activity to discover:
dog sledding "Baby sled" from 3 years old.
Price: € 55 for a 2-hour session.
Tourist office:
orcieres.com
Read also Pays des Ecrins: what to do in winter?
Snowshoes, ski touring and well-being, our nature activities
Villard-de-Lans / Corrençon, pure air on a plateau (Vercors massif, Isère)
La Colline des Bains, a space dedicated to apprentice skiers and sledges, a stone's throw from the center of Villard-de-Lans.
Lugepark / KlipProductionK
Between canyons and forests, the area of the Isère resort, of which Tony Parker owns the ski lift company, claims its very family axis. From La Côte 2000 in Villard-de-Lans, the beautifully hilly slopes are perfect for reaching Corrençon-en-Vercors and its beautiful Cembro pines, via the long Salamandre (green) then the Narcisse (blue).
Easy Domaine
packages
are offered so that 1st star or lower skiers can benefit from the heights at very affordable prices: € 19 for 3 consecutive hours or € 25 per day.
These two connected resorts have also developed vast sliding areas in the heart of their respective villages: the Colline des Bains in Villard and the hamlet of Rambins in Corrençon, with small, easy ski slopes, kindergartens and toboggan runs.
Ideal for:
large families and / or small budgets looking for skiing and real nature.
Altitude:
1050 to 2285 m.
36 slopes:
12 green, 9 blue, 7 red, 8 black.
Family Plus label:
yes.
Child ski pass:
up to 21 years old!
Day 27 € weekends and holidays and 13 € during the week.
6 days / 147 €.
The non-skiing activity to discover:
here Nordic skiing is king and biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and shooting, is offered from 8 years old.
From 56 €.
Tourist office:
villarddelans.com
Read also In the Vercors, five hotel gems for this winter
Vaujany, the little family sister of Alpe d'Huez (Oisans massif, Isère)
The summits of Oisans can be admired with the family in Vaujany.
Images and dreams
The little sister of Alpe d'Huez, -their ski areas are linked-, Vaujany is a resort in Oisans on the rise. Authentic mountain village established on a sunny slope, it is no less modern, with an escalator system approved by children in ski boots, and their parents. This winter 2021/2022, the famous detachable telemixte of Clos Giraud, alternating seats and cabins and ready since last winter, will particularly benefit small skiers to reach
Montfrais
from the Alpette by winding on the green and blue slopes between the fir trees, like the pretty Blueberry.
This sector, which has just been completely redesigned for neoskiers, is also accessible free of charge for pedestrians via the Montfrais cable car.
Up there: kindergarten with covered conveyor belt, fun trails, picnic room and restaurants.
An ideal place to meet the rest of the family who have set off on the vast routes of Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine.
Ideal for:
pure skiers who have become parents.
Altitude:
1100 to 2800 m.
30 slopes:
6 green, 12 blue, 10 red, 2 black.
Family Plus label:
yes.
Child ski pass
:: day: € 29.50 Vaujany area - € 46 Grand Domaine;
6 days 143 € Domaine Oz-Vaujany / 223.50 € Grand Domaine
Family ski offer:
(6 days 2 adults + 2 children minimum) Oz-Vaujany 143 € / person / Grand Domaine: 223.5 € / person from 4/12/21 to 22: 04/22
The off-ski activity to discover:
curling.
Original Olympic sport to be tested as a team in the heart of the ice rink, from 10 years old.
Free initiation, registration at the tourist office.
Tourist office:
vaujany.com
Read alsoAlpe-d'Huez, an island in the snows of Oisans
Saint-Lary, skiing with a southwest flavor (Hautes-Pyrénées)
In the Pla d'Adet sector, the little ones (from 3 years old) will enjoy "snowtubing", a buoy adapted to the size as a sledge, a fitted out track and a conveyor belt to go up.
Saint Lary
In the Pyrenean valley of Aure, Saint-Lary uniquely mixes the mountain culture of southwestern France and that of Spain, with whom it shares a border and very close ties. The favorite area for families is located at an altitude of 1,700 m, in the Pla d'Adet sector, which has just been redeveloped to better accommodate apprentice skiers.
Ski schools, covered mechanical carpets, “kidpark” and Patou Park for skiers between 6 and 12 years old, school slope and small green slope, all overlooking a wide wooden pedestrian promenade, sunny and close to shops.
Enough to progress quickly before gaining altitude with the Adet chairlift to try the first blues.
The après-ski embellished with local “tapas” will be more typical downstairs, in the beautiful village with stone houses.
Ideal for
: Epicurean families.
Altitude:
1,700 m - 2,515 m.
56 slopes:
7 green, 26 blue, 13 red, 10 black.
Family Plus label:
yes.
Child ski pass:
day: € 28 or 1 hour to € 14 in the Pla d'Adet sector;
40 € Domaine Saint-Lary;
6 days 200 €.
Family ski offer:
6 days for 1 adult + 2 to 5 young people or 2 adults + 1 to 4 young people.
Single price for all 200 € / pers.
From 04/12/21 to 03/04/22.
The off-ski activity to discover:
Snowtubing.
Sliding enthusiasts will be able to hurtle down a fitted track at more than 40km / h using… giant buoy!
Laughter and fun guaranteed.
From 3 years old - € 6 for 5 descents and € 10 for 10. www.altiservice.com
Tourist office:
saintlary.com
Read also: Ski touring in the Pyrenees: from Font-Romeu to Hautacam, our selection of routes
Peyragudes, modern getaway (Hautes-Pyrénées)
New: two hectares are fitted out for the little ones with 2 covered carpets, 3 scripted tracks and a "rest area".
Peyragudes
At the top of the
Loudenvielle
Skyvall gondola
, inaugurated in 2019, the
Peyresourde
side
of the Peyragudes resort doubled its space dedicated to beginner skiers last winter. Two hectares are fitted out with 2 covered carpets, 3 scripted tracks and a "rest area" to take a breather before trying your first snowplough on the Carrousel track, also dedicated to learning.
Beyond, on this area oriented east-west, playful and sunny, the layout of the slopes allows average skiers to string together beautiful routes and to switch to the
slope of Agudes
, via the blue of the Val des Agudes which descends while softness to the village, before returning to the starting point by sliding on the panoramic track 007 (so named in memory of the filming of the snow scenes of
Tomorrow never dies
).
Ideal for:
families of skiers and non-skiers.
Altitude:
900 m - 2,400 m.
51 slopes:
7 green, 23 blue, 17 red, 4 black.
Child ski pass:
day: 37 € or beginner at 24.50 € from 4/12/21 to 27/03/22.
6 days from 195 €.
Family ski offer:
from € 660 for a 6-day family pass (2 adults and 2 children aged 5 to 17).
Family Plus label:
yes.
The non-ski activity to discover:
a family dive in the Inca and Mayan outdoor baths at 33 ° in the Balnéa thermo-play area, located in Loudenvielle.
Child entry from 12 €.
Tourist office:
n-py.com
Read also In the heart of the Pyrenees, five experiences in a grandiose and unspoiled nature
Super-Besse, white nights (Sancy massif, Puy-de-Dôme)
The slopes light up around the Lac des Hermines in Super Besse.
OT Sancy
This station, located at the foot of the Puy de Sancy, is linked to the Mont-Dore area, which can be accessed with the resort pass. The atmosphere is resolutely family-oriented, focused both on skiing in all its forms and on new fun slides, all without taking itself seriously. The ski area which encircles the pretty Lac des Hermines overlooks the southern slope of Sancy and offers on its lower part a play area called "l'Enclos de Tibou" of 500 m2 for the little ones, as well as kindergartens and ski lessons from 3 years old.
It is quickly possible to gain altitude via the blue slopes that even reach the top.
Here, skiing is also practiced at night with no less than 13 lighted slopes.
The opportunity also for those over 8 years old, well accompanied to slide down the long and sporty blue Capucin slope.
Ideal for:
families who want to learn to ski and have fun.
Altitude:
1350 to 1850 m.
27 slopes:
5 green, 9 blue, 9 red, 4 black.
Family Plus label:
yes.
Child ski pass:
day: € 24.90 throughout the winter.
6 days € 139.40 (free access to the night domain);
Teenager day pass (16 - 25 years old): € 28;
6 days for teenagers: 157.10 €.
Offre ski famille : remise de 5% sur les forfaits 6 et 7 jours pour l'achat simultané de 4 à 9 forfaits pour les familles en périodes de vacances scolaires toutes zones confondues.
L'activité hors ski à découvrir : le snowkite ! Les skieurs capables de descendre une piste rouge goûtent aux sensations de liberté du ski tracté par la force du vent. Tarif : à partir de 90 € la séance découverte de 3 heures avec superbesse.evolution2.com
Office du tourisme : sancy.com
La Bresse-Hohneck, à fond Les vallons (Vosges)
Forêt givrée et parcours ludique… Petite ambiance féerique à la Bresse Hohneck Labellemontagne
Dans la plus grande station de ski des Vosges -et la plus proche de Paris-, on peut skier de 6 heures à 22 heures. Même si le dénivelé proposé n'est « que » de 450 m, les larges pistes serpentant entre les sapins offrent un décor hivernal joliment dépaysant. Le Kastelberg, point culminant de la station (1353 m), est accessible dès le niveau 2e étoile. En plus du panorama sur les vallons et la plaine d'Alsace, il permet de redescendre tranquillement en enchaînant uniquement des pistes bleues, dont la belle Chitelet.
Station originelle du groupe Labellemontagne, la Bresse-Hohneck met un accent particulier sur les espaces enfants. Cet hiver, deux nouveaux tapis roulants viendront compléter l'espace initiation « ski tranquille » accessible depuis le front de neige. La piste Opoualand offre ses virages relevés, portiques et jeux d'adresse aux petits skieurs, tandis que le boardercross Waouland occupe les plus à l'aise. Ici, même la location hebdomadaire de la tenue complète de ski (de la veste aux sous-vêtements techniques) est organisée par la station.
Idéale pour : les familles qui découvrent la glisse.
Altitude : 900 à 1353 m.
34 pistes : 6 vertes, 14 bleues, 13 rouges, 1 noire.
Labellisé Famille Plus : oui.
Forfait de ski enfant: 27,40 € pendant les vacances scolaires et les week-ends ; 20,90 € en semaine hors vacances scolaires ; tout au long de l'hiver. 6 jours 152,90 pendant les vacances scolaires et à partir de 130,10€ hors vacances.
Offre ski famille : réduction de 10% pour l'achat simultané de minimum 4 forfaits de même durée (dont minimum 1 adulte et 2 enfants de moins de 17 ans), hors forfait saison, tout au long de l'hiver.
L'activité hors ski à découvrir : la tyrolienne «Fantasticable» pour survoler la vallée jusqu'à plus de 100km/h. À partir de 8 ans en duo. Tarif : 31 € par personne.
Office du tourisme : labresse.labellemontagne.com
À lire aussiSki nordique: 10 petits hôtels de charme au pied des pistes dans les Vosges
Also to see
- In Oslo, people move the mountains to ski in the city.
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