With the sudden influx of a large number of child-friendly resorts run by trained and knowledgeable operators, going on a ski family trip to the mountains of Europe has become a piece of cake.Seven best places to go to for Ski Holidays in Europe with kids. Hint! Most of them are in France.This is a list of Ski Holidays in Europe
The various hotels and chalets run by private agencies are so conversant with the day to day demands of the younger generation, that this is probably the best time to introduce the kids to the challenges of the powdery slopes. One thing, however, needs to be done is thorough research of all the resort options available in your proposed family ski holiday destination.
This is no easy task as the ski deals offered by resorts on the internet are not only endless but also confusing. So, in order to save some of your homework, we have zeroed down on some select destinations that are sure to ease your pressure, as they are handpicked for skiing with the family.
Best Places to Experience Ski Holidays in Europe with Families
Morzine
The family-friendly status which Morzine enjoys cannot be surpassed by any other resort of a similar standard. Apart from the accommodation, there are so many activities for the children to partake in, that the adults can be free to do their own thing without worrying about what the children may be up to.
To make matters simple, there are an abundance of gentle slopes and an excellent ski school on hand that kids would simply love to frolic in. Even the tiniest of babies need not despair as a wide range of nanny services are available which can cater to newborns as young as three months and above for a major part of the day.
St. Anton
Rightly dubbed as ” the cradle of alpine skiing”, St. Anton was home to the first-ever ski school founded by the favorite son of the town, Hannes Schneider, way back in the 1920s. Even though most of the slopes are challenging and more than half the pistes are for professional skiers, St Anton also has plenty of gently sloping meadows for the toddler clan.
At the base of the two lift stations Galzig and Nasserein there are some excellent childcare options available. The employees at the lift station are child-friendly and offer guidance to the many ski schools and the easy slopes meant for the whole family. The children’s world is also located here, with features like magic carpets, carousel, and comical characters.
Meribel
Apart from being an excellent ski resort, Meribel simply pampers children with the Famille Plus status it enjoys. Guests have the option to either go bowling, swimming, tubing, indoor climbing and even go on a husky sleigh ride. Children can be escorted by nannies to the ski area set aside for beginners. Here they can go treasure hunting, play hide and seek, or simply take a stroll in the lovely forest.
Meribel is a fantastic place to ski for the entire family as there are plenty of green, blue and red runs. The Altiport area is especially good to introduce the little ones to the slopes, as designated zones have been earmarked for skiers aged 6 to 12 years. The family-oriented chalets come equipped with high chairs, with in-house childcare facility and proximity to the slopes.
Courchevel
Courchevel is an exclusive ski resort, catering mainly to a rich clientele for many years. However, despite this reputation, it also serves as a top skiing area for families and children. No doubt the price is a bit higher than most resorts, but in return, one gets the best modern infrastructure with a lot of entertainment and activities aimed just for kids.
The well-groomed pistes which run through the lovely Alpine forests of the Three Valleys Ski area where this resort is located, speak for themselves. The newly constructed Aquamotion leisure complex has swimming pools, river rapids, slides and a play area where children can go indoor wall climbing. Several crèches, independent child welfare specialists and ski schools are on hand to help in looking after the kids.
Tignes
The family-friendly resort of Tignes is strategically located in the Espace Killy ski area through Val d’isere. The region is made up of several villages, out of which Tignes Le Lac is perfect for families. This is due to various factors like location, easy access to the nursery slopes, plenty of extra activities and a choice of a range of good self-catering accommodation, apart from chalet rentals and full-service hotels.
In addition to the exceptional skiing, Tignes offers many facilities for children. There is a swimming pool, climbing a wall, an outdoor skating rink, and trampolines. The restaurants around Tignes are family-friendly, while a number of childcare companies are available to look after children.
Val d’Isere
Quality restaurants, good infrastructure and the best apres the Alps have to offer all go in making Val d’Isere a top resort for all levels of skiers, including families. The wide array of slopes available for beginners and kids, located in the heart of the village are a big hit. Babysitters, private nannies, ski schools for all ages, combined with a number of extracurricular activities keep the children occupied all the time.
The Central Aqua Sportif offers swimming, climbing, gym and fitness center, football, volleyball and an indoor play area set apart only for kids. The five different areas here namely, Beach World, Spa World, Sports World, Lounge World, and Well-being World all have something for every age.
La Plagne
Located in the Tarentaise Valley of the French Alps, La Plagne is undoubtedly the most popular family ski resort in this part of Europe. The main aim of the complex was a vision to provide affordable villas and apartments to make the ski holiday economical and afford value for money at the same time. Since the recent connection by cable car with Les Arcs, a vast snowboard playground has been created between the ski areas of Espace Killy and Trois Valleys.
The biggest plus point of La Plagne is a large number of unthreatening slopes on the well-groomed powder which is good for the little ones trying to hone their skiing skills at an early age. Services of a choice of ski schools can be availed off to cater to the needs of children as young as three. As well as skiing, families can partake in a range of activities like the games arcade, tobogganing and paintballing. In general, the resort is best suited for beginners and intermediate level skiers.
Europe is considered to be the number one destination for all levels of skiers looking for a good and cheap place to ski in. Nothing bonds the family better than a trip to the mountains, especially one that is free from all the hassles and leaves both the parents and children contented at the end of the day.
