With Christmas holidays on the horizon, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at the best family friendly resorts where the whole family, from the little ones through to grandparents, are catered for. With something for everyone, these five family resorts are ideal for a multi generation family get-together, offering the complete blend of activities, accommodation, restaurants and of course skiing!
If you are interested in arranging a ski holiday with your family then the easiest way to begin is with a phone call to our team on +44 1993 899 420. Our expertise and in-depth knowledge of each resort allows us to help you choose the right resort, accommodation, ski instructors, childcare, airport transfers... and the list goes on. The best part is, we don't charge extra for our concierge service and we can make all the bookings you need on your behalf.
This purpose-built ski resort consists of ten villages, each with their own characters, which are spread across a gently sloping mountain range. Its popularity with families is attributable to the wide range of facilities on offer, as well as its easy access to 425km of excellent skiing, skiable with a single Paradiski lift pass. With families of mixed skiing ability in mind, La Plagne excels, with plenty of wide, gentle slopes. For those who like to challenge themselves, there are also more than 35 black runs and plenty of off piste skiing opportunities. And for the non-skiers in your group, the 1,500m long Olympic bobsleigh provides a taste of the action without putting on skis. One of our preferred partners, Oxygene Ski School, offers an award-winning selection of group lessons for children and adults, private lessons, off-piste sessions, and fun après-ski activities.
Favourite activity: Lunch with the family at La Maison – enormous wood-fired pizzas, fondue and more complemented with excellent views.
Just a couple of hours from Vancouver, Whistler is packed with amenities to suit families. Ranked in the top 10 child-friendly resorts in North America, you will find a welcoming resort with everything you need close at hand. Whistler Village is mostly pedestrianised, which means the children are free to walk in safety and the ski-in ski-out access means it’s rare to need to load everyone into the car. A range of pistes cater for all abilities and with good quality snow throughout the season you can be confident you will find plenty of skiing. The Whistler Blackcomb ski school is world class and offers tuition to adults and children alike. All children receive a real-time tracking GPS device which is used to log their day. A great way to see what they've been up to and their distance covered.
Favourite activity – A Family Snowmobile tour which takes you up the Bradywine Valley. As a bonus, the children will also be able to try their hand at driving a Mini-Z snowmobile on the flat mini-z track.
Located at the heart of the Three Valleys, La Tania began life as home to athletes competing in the Albertville Olympics. It is now a fully-fledged resort with numerous features making it a great choice for families in particular. Most chalets in town are ski-in, ski-out allowing you all to spend more time on the slopes. In fact, tree lined pistes run right through the middle of town! A pedestrianised centre makes this an enjoyable resort to wander around and the wood clad buildings and woodland setting make La Tania a particularly attractive resort. The lower nursery slope is centrally located and easy to access. As a bonus, the main gondola provides access to Méribel and Courchevel resorts, allowing you to take advantage of the extensive Three Valleys ski area.
Favourite activity – a treat for the adults with a meal at Le Farcon, the 1-star Michelin restaurant in the middle of Le Tania.
Photo courtesy of www.lechzuers.com
This smart ski resort is a favourite amongst us in the Oxford Ski team, and for good reason. With reliable snow and a good selection of luxury accommodation and fine dining options, its perhaps no wonder it has become a favourite of the Austrian Royal Family and other notable visitors. Friendlier terrain makes for easier to find pistes that families of all abilities can enjoy, whilst cross country walks, shopping and spas add variety. Some excellent chalets are available which can accommodate up to 26 people – ideal for multiple families holidaying together or groups. Many of these chalets have home cinemas, swimming pools and games rooms ensuring everyone is amply entertained. Whether you spend your time on-piste, out and about in town or back at your chalet, Lech offers a well-rounded mountain destination for all generations.
Favourite activity – It's hard to choose but at this time of year we love the Chestnuts & Almonds, with mulled wine for the adults, at Rüfiplatz. A perfect opportunity to soak up the Christmas atmosphere.
Set in the heart of the Three Valleys, this was one of the first major ski resorts in the area. An extensive ski network connects you to nearby Courchevel, Les Menuires and La Tania, ensuring there is an ample supply of runs suitable for everyone in the family. Closer to home, several pistes even wind their way directly through the village for ultimate ski-in ski-out access. Meribel was awarded Famile Plus status in 2013 in recognition of its commitment towards catering for families with children. There is a particularly wide range of family friendly accommodation, child-friendly restaurants, high quality ski schools and childcare options, along numerous activities to keep the children occupied off the slopes (teenagers might well want to try out the Big Air Bag; precisely as it sounds, this allows them to try tricks they’re not quite ready to land on snow).
Favourite activity – Husky sledding through the resorts forest tracks. Have a go yourself or let a pro take you for a ride.
Whilst these are 5 of the best family ski resorts, there are other popular ski resorts which are great for families, such as Val d'Isere, that may meet additional requirements you have. With the help of our chalet, hotel and concierge teams, we can help you plan a family ski holiday to suit you and your own family's preferences. The easiest place to start is by calling us on +44 1993 899 420 or enquiring online here.
