Family Skiing Holidays in France - Complete Guide

The holiday season is just around the corner and many families prefer to head out to destinations where they can spend quality time with their loved ones. Many families today head for family skiing destinations during holidays that allow them to try on their skiing skills and enjoy time after that. 

France is among the top choices for most families where they head for holidays. However, when you are heading for family skiing holidays in France you need to be well-prepared for what places you would cover and how you can find the best accommodation, food and facilities. If you are heading for France you can look for various ski resorts that can allow you to make the most of the choices and options you can have for your loved ones. 

Let's take a quick look at the top 5 family ski resorts that offer the best family ski experience in France. 

Meribel

Nestled in the heart of Les Trois Vallees, Meribel is a great ski resort that can offer you so much more especially when you are heading here with your family. With the right Meribel skiing options for families, you can interconnect with Val Thorens and Courchevel ski resorts allowing you to have access to more skiing grounds. This ski resort is ideal for intermediate and beginners and has plenty of green, blue and red pistes. You can also find plenty of resorts and chalets here that offer you various accommodation options. If you don't know more about skiing you can find plenty of English-speaking ski schools where you can learn how to ski and après-ski options. Meribel also provides other activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Avoriaz

If you are planning to have a white Christmas experience you can head to Avoriaz which is probably the snowiest ski resort in France. Straddling between the Swiss and French border, Avoriaz can provide you with the best skiing experience when you are headed here with your family and loved ones. With plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain and well-groomed pistes, you can ensure better safety and comfort. With plenty of lodging options and luxury chalets, you can get the best accommodation with your family. Avoriaz also has plenty of restaurants and cafes and the liveliest après-ski options. 

Alpe d'Huez

Located in the southern French Alps near Grenoble, Alpe d'Huez is another excellent ski resort ideal for family skiing experiences. With limitless and diverse terrain, there is something for everyone here. Here you can find a variety of accommodations ranging from basic lodging to luxury chalets offering accommodation based on your requirements and budget. With reliable snow cover throughout the year and plenty of groomed pistes, this would be a perfect place for beginner and intermediate skiers. However, Alpe d'Huez also caters to experienced skiers with plenty of off-piste freeride terrain. The ski resort has plenty of après ski options and therefore you can find a great time here when you are skiing with your family. 

Chatel

Nestled in the Vallee d'Abondance of the Haute Savoie in France, Chatel can provide you with the right family skiing experience. This ski resort is located close to the French-Swiss border and therefore it would be an ideal option if you are also visiting Switzerland in winter.  With better connectivity from Geneva, you can reach Chatel quickly and settle down with your family. This ski resort also has excellent beginner and intermediate piste trails and multiple off-piste freeride terrain for those who seek pure adventure and thrills. 

Courchevel 

Being a part of the Les Trois Vallees, Courchevel offers an expansive interlinked ski area for family skiers. The ski resort has reliable snow cover, efficient and functional ski lifts, beginner and intermediate-groomed pistes, plenty of off-piste freeride terrains, a variety of après-ski options and restaurants and well-connected ski villages and accommodations. This would ensure that you have all the facilities and amenities that you want for your upcoming family skiing holiday experiences. 

10 Tips on How to Prepare for Family Skiing Trip This Holiday Season

Set Your Budget - Even before you decide where you want to go, you need to focus on your budget. This would allow you to have the best time together with your family without compromising on the budget.

Choose Your Ski Resort Carefully - While there are plenty of ski resorts in France you need to look for the ones that offer you the best comfort, convenience and choices. If you are not much into skiing, choosing ski resorts with limited space would make sense. This would allow you to find the best guides and instructors to help you learn how to ski. Also, you need to focus on the needs of your family. 

Book in Advance - Booking your ski resort accommodations and flight tickets in advance would make sense because you don't want last-moment discrepancies to ruin your holiday mood and experiences. Ensure that your passport and visa paperwork and documentation are all done in time. 

Dress in Layers - When you are heading for family ski holidays you need to have the right protection. Dressing up in layers would be the right thing to do because it allows you to adjust to the climate conditions. You can look for various layering tips for cold weather that can help you stay warm and look smart and stylish at the same time. 

Rent Your Ski Gear - Also, when you are planning to go ahead with some skiing adventure you need to focus on how you can find the best companies that can help you rent ski gear in advance. This would allow you to have the right ski gear when you reach your hotel or resort. 

Book a Ski School or Instructor - If you are relatively new to the world of skiing you can also look for a ski school or instructor and book them in advance to ensure that you get their services when you are there. 

Be Prepared Physically - Skiing might be fun but it can also be demanding on your body. This means that you need to be prepared physically for all the skiing activities. Even before you head to your favorite ski resort you need to begin with some workouts that can strengthen your leg muscles and provide you with additional stamina and strength. 

Focus on Food - Choosing ski resorts that have excellent restaurants and après-ski options would make sense because you want to ensure that everyone can find something to eat. 

Plan for Non-Ski Days - While you are at the ski resort for a skiing adventure you might not be skiing all the time. Hence, look for ski resorts that offer other snow sports activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, husky rides and snowshoeing and so on. 

Be Flexible and Have Fun - When you are heading for skiing holidays it is likely that not all things might go as planned. However, be prepared for minor changes to your plan and focus on having fun and making the most of your trip.