The founder of Australia’s premier ski holiday agency reveals five of the best French ski resorts for families.
Taking children on a holiday to France usually includes at least one trip to Disneyland, Parc Astérix or Jardin d’Acclimatation, followed by stops at the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and maybe a day trip to Versailles. However, those willing to venture further afield will discover a winter wonderland that caters to children of every age. France is home to some of the largest ski areas in the world and some fantastic ski schools to get the little ones on their way.
Gilles Riou is the founder of Top Snow Travel, a leading luxury agency that specialises in ski holidays in France in exceptional locations. A world-class ski enthusiast who has hit the pistes in more than 70 locations across seven countries, Gilles has been skiing and snowboarding for more than 38 years and now enjoys sharing his passion with his two daughters, aged two and five – so Gilles knows exactly what a family needs for the perfect ski holiday.
“From the age of two until 15, I was fortunate enough to visit my family-owned home at Valfréjus, a ski resort in the French Alps. Every school holiday, my loved ones and I would leave our home in Paris and enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of this stunning mountain region. It was here that I developed a sincere love for skiing,” says Gilles. With this in mind, Gilles has revealed his top five French ski resorts for families spending winter in France.
Avoriaz 1800 is set within the heart of Portes du Soleil and offers a multitude of activities to those who stay there. In winter, when families aren’t on the slopes, they can go snowshoeing, ride a dog sled, go paragliding or explore the mountainside on an e-bike, then spend some time playing indoor sports or chilling out at the spa. Beginners can join a class at 5th Element Ski School.
“Avoriaz 1800 is one of the best French ski resorts for families. It’s the snowiest; it has a car-free, pedestrian-only village that is safe for children, and families can get around by walking, skiing, or by horse-drawn sleigh,” says Gilles. “Other resorts may have sleigh rides, but they don’t act as a taxi service as they do at Avoriaz 1800. The accommodation is ski-in, ski-out, so parents don’t have to catch shuttles or lifts and carry their kids’ skis. Many of the slopes that lead into the village are green and blue beginner runs, and due to its location, the resort has lift access to eight ski resorts in France and four in Switzerland.”
Avoriaz 1800 is located in the centre of Portes du Soleil, one of the largest cross-border ski areas in the world, where 12 French and Swiss resorts are linked together. It has 30 equipped areas, such as snowparks and snowcross, and 90 restaurants.
Skiable area: 600km of slopes suitable for all levels
Lifts: Avoriaz ski area: 35 ski lifts; Portes du Soleil ski area: 196 ski lifts
Grading of runs: Avoriaz: 3 beginner zones, 37 green runs, 123 blue runs, 100 red runs, 30 black;Portes du Soleil: 37 green runs, 123 blue runs, 110 red runs and 30 black runs;
Number of runs: Avoriaz ski area: 51 slopes; Portes du Soleil ski area: 286 slopes
Lift pass: Avoriaz Pass, Portes du Soleil Pass
Located in Les Arcs, Arc 1950 is one of the most popular family-friendly French ski resorts and has ski-in/ski-out accessibility. Guests have access to indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzis and saunas, plus a fitness room and a mountain spa. In the village, kids can experience a dog sled ride, explore the Igloo Village, or go snowshoeing. At Christmas, there’s a festive village with regular visits from Santa, and those who haven’t yet built up their confidence on their skis or boards can join a lesson at Yéti Camp.
“Arc 1950 is the prettiest village in Les Arcs. It has a colourful, Disney-esque appearance; it’s ski-in, ski-out, set at a high altitude, and pedestrian-only,” says Gilles. “Arc 1950 is big enough to spend the week at and has plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and is snow-sure. However, the best part is that the village centre of Arc 1950 has incredible views of Mont-Blanc.”
The Arc 1950 village is one of several with access to the Paradski area, the second largest ski area in the world, comprised of three ski resorts: Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne.
Skiable area: 425km of pistes
Lifts: Les Arcs: 52 lifts; Paradiski: 132 lifts
Grading of runs: Paradiski: 152 green/blue runs, 79 red runs, 22 black runs.
Number of runs: 253
Lift pass: Les Arcs (including Peisey Vallandry), Paradiski (including La Plagne)
Positioned on Montvalezan in southeastern France, La Rosière is one of the sunniest French ski resorts. It has a kids’ club, child care services and special deals for winter and summer stays. La Rosière provides families with easy access to activities such as luging, sledging, snowshoeing, paragliding and bubble football. There are dedicated ski areas for kids, such as the Petit Saint-Bernard Funcross Adventure Trail, the Little Saint-Bernard Adventure Trail, and the La Poletta Snowpark for beginners.
“With a huge amount of snow and a south-facing orientation, La Rosière enjoys day-long sun from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., keeping the kids warm. Due to the resort’s location in front of Mont-Blanc’s Italian side, the cold air is trapped ensuring high quality, cold snow. La Rosière also has some of the most beautiful sunsets in the French Alps,” says Gilles. “The majority of the runs are blue, and the properties are generally cheaper than other resorts, so it’s excellent value for families.”
La Rosière is part of the only ski area in the Northern Alps to straddle the French-Italian boarder, the Espace San Bernardo.
Skiable area: 160km of slopes
Lifts: 21 lifts
Grading of runs: 121 blue runs, 67 red runs, 35 black runs, 6 snowparks
Number of runs: 234 run
Lift pass: La Rosiere, Espace San Bernardo
Know as one of the best luxury French ski resorts, Courchevel is tucked away in the Alps, high above the Tarentaise Valley. Families staying in the area have access to more than 600 kilometres of ski slopes and a modern lift system. The abundance of beautiful chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants and premium boutiques sets Courchevel apart from other ski resorts in France, and the resort has several ski schools perfect for tiny tots and teenagers alike.
“Courchevel is the best way to experience a true French ski holiday. It has the most beautiful chalets in the world, lots of beginner slopes, and gentle runs that lead right into the village,” says Gilles. “This is a luxury destination. The chalets have up to seven bedrooms, are catered by a private chef, and have private swimming pools, hot tubs and saunas. It’s the perfect way to spend quality time with your family and much more personalised than a hotel.”
Courchevel has access to the largest ski area in the world, known at the ‘The Three Valleys’ in France, which has more than 600km of piste. Courchevel’s ski area is known to have to best grooming in the Alps, so you can expect manicured slopes, every single day.
Skiable area: More than 150km
Lifts: More than 55 lifts
Grading of runs: Courchevel: 31 green runs, 41 blue runs, 40 red runs, 12 black runs, 4 snowparks; Three Valleys: 51 green, 132 blue, 106 red, 32 black runs, plus 130 km of trails dedicated to cross-country skiing, including 3 green, 7 blue, 6 red and 1 black
Number of runs: Courchevel: 124 runs; Three Valleys: 321 runs
Lift pass: 6 day Courchevel, 6 day 3 Valleys
Set close to the Italian border, Val d’Isère is part of the Val d’Isère-Tignes (formerly the Espace Killy) ski area. The authentic alpine village is picturesque and has an ice skating rink. After spending a day on the slopes or at the ski school, families can check out the dog sleds, go snowmobiling, go snowshoeing or go tobogganing. If you’re ready to warm up, Val d’Isère has an indoor pool, a multi-sport centre and an abundance of mountainside restaurants.
“Val d’Isère is one of the liveliest French ski resorts. Originally a traditional alpine village with buildings that date back 350 years, it is aesthetically beautiful, flat and set at a high altitude with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Of particular note is the church, which was built in 1664,” says Gilles. “This resort is best suited to families with younger children and teenagers; it has some free chairlifts to the beginner slopes, and there’s a free shuttle bus for getting around. It’s also a great destination for multi-generational holidays.”
Located near the Italian border and sharing space with Tignes, Val d’Isère in the French Alps is part of the Espace Killy ski area.
Skiable area: 300km
Lifts: 78 lifts, including Tignes
Grading of runs: 23 green, 66 blue, 40 red, 27 black
Number of runs: 156
Lift pass: Val d’Isère Only, Val d’Isère & Tignes
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