Anyone done a summer alpine holiday?!

[kb101]

I am contemplating a summer holiday to the Alps with dh and 2ds (they will be 3 years, and 1 year).

Has anyone done one? Are they any good or will it be dire for the kids (and therefore all of us!)? We would get some form of childcare I think.

Thanks.

Yes - went to Ellmau in Austrian Tyrol in 2006, it was great, very scenic, nice walks/scenery/playgrounds. I think it would be good for 3 and 1 year olds, as there will be space for them to roam around.

No but am hoping to at some stage - I saw one on a brochure recently (maybe Canvas?) which looked great, pony riding on site, etc

Yes, we also go to the area around Ellmau every summer.

Austria is very geared up to kids -- most of the mountain restaurants have good kids playgrounds attached to them, so the children play happily while you can enjoy your beer and the lovely views.

Austria in general tends to be better than Uk for nice outdoor swimming etc (Ellmau has a fantastic swimming/sunbathing/leisure/playground complex).

a friend did a canvas one in France in a ski resort. She really rated it. Lots of activities and childacare/babysitting. It may have been very expensive though as she is loaded.

Pre children we camped in bourg d'oisans and drove up the mountains to les deux alpes, alpes d'huez etc. Was fantastic, loads to do and weather was brilliant.We used a eurocamp site but contacted them directly and took our own tent - loads cheaper but all the same facilities. Would def recommend it - we're going again this summer with an 8mth old in tow!
Most of the ski resorts have a summer resort section on their webpages that tell you what there is. (You do get some funny looks boarding the ferry in august with skis on the roof of the car though!!!!)

Camping: ah those wonderful pre-baby days! Trouble 1981 are you camping with your baby? I will take my hat off to you if so!

Esprit do summer Alpine hols

DS1 is being a snow ranger with them this winter and is planning to be the summer equivalent when that starts. Looks like fun but I've no idea how expensive it is.

Thanks.

Are these in-winter ski resorts busy in the summer? I can't work out if they are heaving, or ghost towns in the summer?!

For eg, Morzine is meant to have a water park with Olympic-sized pool. Sounds great, but not if massively over-run by Parisians!!................

I love Austria in the summer. We've stayed around the Stubai Glacier and had a great time. We skied in morning and swam/walked did nothing in the afternoon.

I'd live there.

kb, don't know about Morzine but the Austrian water parks do get very busy in August.

have you had a look at kinder hotels website - that looks great

my friend has a house in morzine and they go for the whole summer and love it so there must be plenty to do

We did last year, we stayed here

swiss ski chalet

we had a great time

A lot of the Austrian hotels are geared up for kids. Lots of my friends have been to the Kinderhotels