Summer in the mountains
Enjoy plenty of sunshine without getting too hot, avoid the big crowds, try your hand at original, fun activities: family holidays in the mountains have more than one trick up their sleeve...
Who said the mountains were just a winter destination? On the contrary, the mountains, and particularly the Alps, promise you a successful family holiday in an exceptional setting, combining nature, relaxation and outdoor activities. There's something for everyone, whatever your age or level of ability!
Nature lovers will particularly appreciate the breathtaking scenery offered by the Alps. With its many forests, relief and nature reserves, there are plenty of activities for you and your family to enjoy: hiking, mountain biking, accrobranche, climbing, fishing... And white water sports, climbing or via ferrata for the older kids and thrill-seekers.
In summer, the resorts come alive with inflatable play areas, workshops and shows for all to enjoy. Find out more at the Tourist Offices, which will suggest the programme for your week's holiday!
The Alps also boast a wealth of local heritage and traditions! Don't miss a visit to an agricultural farm, an old wash-house... From village to village, you can also admire the Savoyard churches, recognisable by their golden roofs!
The resorts of Tignes and Les 2 Alpes even offer the chance to ski down the slopes in the middle of August! Less crowded than in winter, so your little ones can make the most of their first glides!
Finding the right accommodation in the mountains
Familytrip offers
plenty of accommodation to ensure a successful family holiday in the Alps! Children's club, playground, indoor and/or outdoor swimming pool, fitness or relaxation area for parents, excursions... you're sure to find the hotel or residence to suit all the family's desires for a pleasant stay with your baby or children!
Opt, for example, for the
residence 4* Village Montana to enjoy the summer snows of the Tignes resort, which has a lovely indoor swimming pool among other facilities.
Discover activities with the whole family!
The ideas for excursions to the mountains with your children this summer are endless! A stroll to breathe in the refined scents of plants, a bike ride through nature, a swim break in the refreshing water of a river or lake: these are just a few simple ideas for your family holiday... And why not take a short break for a picnic on the grass? The mountains also offer a great opportunity for several people to get together, and it's the perfect time for a family reunion. Hiking is always more fun and livelier when there are lots of you! The advantage of a family holiday in the mountains is that there's something for everyone: rafting, canyoning, climbing... And for the more adventurous, the VVF Les Volcans d'Auvergne, in the Famille plus montagne labelled resort, will be the ideal place to try paragliding, grass skiing, dévalkart or summer tobogganing.
Walking, to each his own pace! The most fit walkers will sample the long-distance footpaths (GR), while those who prefer to take their time and settle back to admire the scenery will opt for the short-distance footpaths (PR).
Some more skiing in the high-altitude resorts?
Discover our family holiday residences in the mountains in les 2 Alpes. This resort stretching from 1300 to 3600 metres in altitude with its glacier, allows you to ski even in summer! These rentals are designed to provide the best possible welcome for your children, with all the comforts you could need, including baby facilities (loan of cots and baby equipment), kindergartens, bed linen and towels, etc. This lively resort is sure to keep your little ones busy thanks to the many activities on offer at these family holiday residences, including shows, theatre, ski races and snowboarding.
In the region, don't forget to take a trip to the nearby Ferme aux ânes (donkey farm), or if your children are nature lovers and naturally curious, they'll love accompanying a shepherd for a day of fun and learning all about animals. The mountain is also the ideal place to observe the work of a beekeeper or even discover the magical world of the Ice Cave...
A well-deserved rest!
The fresh air will be your ally during this trip with your children, the perfect opportunity for a little change of scenery and relaxation... And yes, going on a holiday with your baby and/or teenager can also rhyme with rest! As proof, the Les Jardins de la Vanoise residence takes care of everything. A shuttle bus will take you to the town centre, and someone will look after your children. There's even a special area just for them! You can trust the concierge, who knows the area like the back of his hand. Maybe he'll take you to see the Vanoise lakes, France's 1st ever national park and a favourite haunt of chamois and ibex. An adventure park, skating rink and rock-climbing are just some of the activities you can enjoy during your stay in the mountains, punctuated by pure moments of relaxation at the spa of this 5* establishment: heated indoor swimming pool, Swedish baths, jacuzzi, to name but a few of the facilities...
The mountain professionals have also thought of families! They have come up with multi-activity cards. These are valid for a set period and give you access to mountain resort facilities such as swimming pools, mini golf courses, adventure parks, tennis courts and bowling alleys. It's also a great opportunity to try your hand at archery, climbing or rafting.
So this summer there's going to be a lot of action in the resorts! There's nothing holding you back from heading to the mountains during the summer holidays...
Winter in the mountains
While we often associate the mountains with a cosy lounge by the fire, the outdoors can be a little more hostile, especially for children... We take a quick look at what you need to have in mind to organise your stay or your suitcase, and leave with peace of mind!
Altitude, potentially unfavourable for toddlers...
Little ones can climb to altitudes of up to 1,800 - 2,000 metres, provided that during your ascent you take regular breaks, so that your baby can acclimatise more easily to the change in atmospheric pressure. The risk otherwise is that your baby will suffer from eardrums. Bottle-feeding is a classic tip for preventing earache. For the same reasons, you should avoid taking the cable car with a little one under the age of 3, because of the rapid ascent.
Many resorts are at reasonable altitudes, such as La Rosière, at 1,060 metres.
At altitude, it's also important to keep an eye on the humidity in your little ones' bedrooms, especially if the heating is electric. Putting small damp cloths in the room is a simple process to humidify the room and thus allow your children to breathe more easily.
Finally, the climb to your destination and the multiple laces can cause nausea in your children if you've chosen to travel by car. So don't forget to pack a few medicines to guard against these possible discomforts.
Best tips for warding off the cold...
Warm, waterproof clothing is essential for a family holiday in the mountains. As the little ones move around a lot, it's ideal to layer up different layers to prevent them sweating and catching cold when the temperature drops again. We recommend bodysuits for the little ones and dungarees for the older ones, so that the air doesn't seep through. For the coldest days, you should also pack tights to wear under ski trousers and thin pullovers to wear under thicker pullovers. Finally, when you're out and about, remember that children don't realise they're getting cold, especially if they're in the heat of the action! Babies a fortiori won't warn you. In particular, it's not uncommon for babies in baby carriers to suffer from the cold when out cross-country skiing, while the wearer is unaware of the chill thanks to the physical exercise. So check your children's hands and heads regularly to make sure everything's okay.
The sun, dangerous for little ones too...
In the mountains, the sun's reflection off the snow increases its effects tenfold. Harmful for your little ones' eyes and skin, the sun should nevertheless remain an ally so you can enjoy your family holiday! A few tips on how to protect yourself, and you're all set...
For the eyes, choose sunglasses that protect against U.V. with an index 4, to C.E. standards
For skin protection, make sure you regularly apply a sunscreen sun cream, thinking about the most unseen areas, such as the tops of your ears! A greasy moisturising cream will also be your ally in combating dryness on your child's skin exposed to the cold, wind and sun, or even Biafine, in the event of burns...
Skiing, a really physical activity!
Skiing is an unusual activity and one that requires good condition. Physical preparation in the few weeks before you leave for the mountains can help your child, especially if they don't do any sporting activities during the year.
On site, in addition to the usual first-aid kit, you may need arnica, in ointment or granules, which will help relieve pain if a fall has turned out to be a little rough.
The helmet may not be the most useful thing in the snow garden. But when your child starts taking to the blue or red runs, a helmet may be essential. Indeed, your child, exhilarated by the speed and his progress may not fully realise the danger...
The cold and exercise lead your child to burn more calories than usual. His diet therefore needs to be adapted to keep up with this pace. Meals should be richer in slow sugars. For example, don't hesitate to give them starchy foods twice a day, and this is also a good opportunity to try some hearty mountain dishes (raclette, tartiflette, fondue savoyarde...). Finally, plan to bring snacks for the morning and afternoon (cereal bars, chocolate bars), and give your child the opportunity to drink during the day.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, plan ahead for activities on site!
To perfect the organisation of your trip, don't forget to book in advance the ski lessons you're thinking of enrolling your children in. If you have a baby, childcare places are very popular and book in advance by calling familytrip on 09.72.26.99.33.