The Best Family Ski Resorts reviewed by Familytrip
Before we get to our top 10 best family ski resorts in France we're going to review a number of points that will explain why we've arrived at this ranking. But be warned we haven't put this ranking in any particular order. Why not? It would be too difficult to rationally put one above the other. It's too much a matter of individual taste. But we hope that after this presentation you will find the best family ski resort for you! The one that suits you best, because depending on your expectations (size of ski area, altitude, snow conditions depending on when you want to go on your family ski break, architecture, ease of access by train, etc.), things can vary. In any case, our mountain advisors are always available on the phone from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 7pm, to help you find the best family ski resort in France for you.
The different mountain ranges in France
First things first! There are different mountain ranges in France that you can ski on. We won't be talking about the Pignes piste in the Arcachon basin here, we haven't tested it even though we'd love to do a few runs to see what the piste feels like with a sea view and no snow!
There are 6 mountain ranges in France where you can ski: the Alps of course, the Pyrenees, the Jura, the Vosges, the Massif Central and.... Corsica! And yes, in Corsica there are 3 ski resorts that are open depending on the snow conditions. Given the rarity of snowfall in Corsica, skiing is almost exclusively reserved for locals. For the rest, the Alps largely dominate the ranking in terms of the number of resorts, as there are more in the Alps compared to the sum of the resorts in the other 5 massifs.
With snow becoming scarce, the season shortens dramatically in the Vosges (the Grand Ballon there peaks at just 1424m) and the Jura ( whose peak, the Crêt de la Neige, peaks at 1718m). The season lasts only a month and a half, from mid-January to the end of February. But there are many small, family-friendly resorts that have even come together to form a more complete offering, such as Les Rousses in the Jura. Les Rousses has brought together a number of other resorts: Lamoura, Bois d'Amont and Prémanon. As a result, the resort now boasts almost 50km of pistes and 53 downhill runs. These 4 villages also boast the largest Nordic ski area, also known as cross-country skiing. In fact, there are no fewer than 280km of marked trails for cross-country skiers: enough to enjoy for a good part of the winter!
As for the Massif Central, the structural cold in winter helps to maintain the snow cover even though the average altitudes of the pistes are low. There are 13 resorts in this massif, but many of them are set to disappear for good within the next 10 years due to global warming. Nevertheless, some resorts such as Super Besse and Super Lioran could develop "4-season" assets. This formula recognises resorts that know how to adapt to the weather and offer appropriate activities. Super Lioran is a good example because the prices are fairly consistent between winter and summer. We're not on a bill 10 like Val Thorens.
Finally, the Pyrenees have the 2nd best snow cover after the Alps in France. The areas are more rugged than in the Alps, the slopes can be very steep and the pistes therefore more difficult. Generally speaking, we wouldn't recommend them too much for beginners, although at Saint Lary Soulan, for example, you'll find a ski area with a good proportion of runs: 11 black, 15 red, 26 blue and 7 green. So a majority of blue and enough green to learn on!
Generations of resorts in the Alps
There are so many resorts in the Alps that we usually classify them by resort generation.
Generation n°1: the precursors, low-altitude resorts
Mostly located between 900 and 1200 m, they already had a well-developed village. They started skiing before the Second World War. This is the generation whose snow activity is unfortunately doomed to disappear very soon. AND they are starting to diversify with trail running, shopping or other types of positioning.
Examples: Grand-Bornand, Saint-Gervais, Megève, Chamonix in Haute-Savoie and Villard-de-Lans in Isère
Generation #2: resorts from scratch
There was little or nothing. Built on top of existing villages in the 1940s/50s, they are dedicated to skiing. Their altitude is generally around 1600 metres.The latest development of these resorts tends to build higher in altitude.
Examples: Courchevel in Savoie, l'Alpe d'Huez, Les 2 Alpes...Generation n°3 :Integrated resorts
Generation no. 3: so-called integrated resorts
Built in the 60s and 70s, private developers built resorts with high-rise buildings with everything nearby. As many buildings as possible were ski-in/ski-out. They have had a bad image as ski factories, but they are trying to reclaim their heritage and emphasise the pedestrian aspect of their communication.
Examples: Avoriaz (PV), Val Thorens, Flaine...
Generation no. 4: village resorts
Created in the late 70s and early 80s, they were inspired by the charm of the villages of yesteryear while retaining the practicality of 3rd generation resorts. As a result, they are predominantly pedestrianised, easy to get to, with a desire to be at the foot of the slopes.
They are returning to more modest altitudes thanks to the advent of snow cannons.
Examples: Valfréjus, Valmorel, Montchavin, ...
Knowing where the snow is depending on when you stay
Depending on the time of the winter season, snow cover can vary extremely. At Christmas we say that the snow comes through a phenomenon called "return from the East", which can also occur at the beginning of January.
To simplify:
1) Mild air rises from the Mediterranean and is loaded with moisture
2) This air meets the cold air at the level of the Alpine arc in Italy)
3) The low-pressure system turns in a clockwise direction, so we talk about an "easterly return"
4) because the climatic phenomenon returns from the east loaded with moisture
This phenomenon mainly snows in 2 areas: the Haute Maurienne and the Queyras. And so we strongly recommend the small resort of Val Cenis, located in the Haute Maurienne, for Christmas holidays, which is often well covered in snow.
In April, the snow cover is very different. Of course, there is snow at high altitudes such as Val Thorens, La Plagne (where 50% of the ski area is above 2000m) and Alpe d'Huez, but more surprisingly, there is also snow at Avoriaz, where the summit rises to just 2600m, and at Flaine. These 2 resorts are very far north in the Northern Alps.
Our top 5 family ski resorts
We haven't put a number because it's too hard to put one destination above the other. The idea isn't to say which we think is the best destination of all, but rather to give you a top 5 of very nice resorts to go on holiday with your children and make you want to book!
Sainte Foy en Tarentaise
The latest addition to the Alps, built in December 1990, this is the youngest resort in the Alps and it is ultra well thought out. 2 carpets for beginner skiers, only 4 lifts but ultra well organised as these lifts serve no less than 26 ski runs. As a result, the ski pass price isn't very high for the number of runs available. Ski passes can be a big item in a family's budget, even with the children's rate.
The plusses: we've got a lot to offer!
The pluses: we appreciate the decor of the chalet-style residences and hotels with modern comforts, as most have plenty of room (living space), a heated indoor pool, a kids' club or parent-child activities. Even the little ones aren't left out, with toboggan runs, one of which is open all day, ideal for a stay with baby. The altitude is suitable for baby's ears as we're at 1550m.
Less: the price of renting a flat or hotel room is quite expensive but this is due to the fact that the equipment is very recent and not much depreciated.
Les Menuires
In the 80s, we used to hear the advert "Les Menuires c'est le top". At Familytrip we still agree.
The pluses: the rental or hotel rate it's the cheapest resort in the 3 vallées! We also love skiing on La Masse, a slice of mountain only accessible from Les Menuires with a magnificent view of Mont Blanc from the Pointe de la Masse.
The pluses: the price of renting or staying in a hotel - it's the cheapest resort in the 3 vallées!
Less: the lift pass is expensive (yes but it's the 3 vallées) the slightly old school style of the residence buildings (70s or 80s obligatory)
Super Lioran
We also love the Massif Central at Familytrip! We love Super Lioran. A mixed resort with a little downhill skiing and a lot of cross-country. It's very active for families with children and even babies!
Pluses: the lift pass prices, the friendly, family atmosphere, nice visits winter and summer, a resort in the fir trees ideal if you don't want to do just skiing.
Less: snow cover sometimes very poor even in season and the buildings have a look of another time.
Saint Lary Soulan in the Pyrenees
This is certainly the most family-friendly resort in the Pyrenees. We enjoy the diverse and varied activities organised by the resort.
The pluses: ski passes are offered at great rates, the low-altitude village feel, for non-skiers or walks with babies it's very nice, quite a few residences or rentals with access to an indoor pool, often destinations with a club or nursery on site or nearby
Less: access to the ski area via the Pic Lumière cable car (there is often a queue in high season), the sprawl of the village you can be located quite far from the cable car, few toboggan runs.
Our final tips for booking a family ski break
Book a ski holiday can be complex, all the more so if it's a family holiday. There are lots of parameters to take into account (whether you want to be in the heart of the resort, at the foot of the slopes, next to the nursery, have a kids' club, keep skiers and non-skiers happy...) and you need some advice to know whether the resort is going to be a good match for you or whether the ski pass is not too expensive. Lastly, compare the prices of ski passes and hire, not ESF or ESI lessons or ski equipment. For the last 2 elements (lessons and equipment hire) the prices are more or less the same from one resort to another. We suggest you use our search engine to clear the field and then call us to finalise and book your family ski holiday.
