So we are currently on our annual ski trip to Austria and my son (age 10) has announced he'd love to ski in France for a change. Before kids we would go to Chamonix every year in late March. Our kids are 7 and 10 and have learned to ski here in Austria due to convenience. They are at the stage where they can ski with us no issue and we've been taking them on small areas off the piste because the powder was so good start of this week.
A bit of background to us my and DH skied for over 20 years and live in Europe, driving distance to alps so before kids we could easily be going every other weekend in peak season. Our favourite resorts are the 'tough' or as we say 'good' places think Andermatt, Ischgl, St Anton etc we just consider it to be piste or not piste. We've skied Valley Blance etc. (although we're snowboarders closer to 50 than 40 now so perhaps not as fit or young as when we did that)
I remember a good trip to Val di Sere about 15 years ago. Is this a good place to take the kids to? My oldest has been told skiing in France is much better (more blacks I'm not sure though) Personally I've always preferred the openness of mountains in France, parts of Switzerland etc.
This year we are blessed with Easter holidays starting 22nd March so can get a spring trip in with decent snow hopefully.
I'm swaying towards booking an apartment in Chamonix but I wonder if they'll like it as its a town resort to ski it all you have to get bus etc. Option 2 I am thinking is Val di Sere.
But am I missing somewhere really good?
As I said ski school not important they don't always go it's just a tour group for them. I'd prefer it not to be a place full of first time British people learning to ski (haha perhaps I'm posting in the wrong place then) and obviously not too small (unless it's an off piste gem)
I don't know if anyone can recommend anything but thought I'd ask.
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Ski and snowboarding
France March 2024 family of 4
NoKnit · 11/01/2024 15:48
DPotter · 11/01/2024 17:00
I love Chamonix - one of my favourite places on Earth. However it is not an easy place to ski - lots of walking and buses with distinct, separate ski areas, Having said that - I enjoyed ski-iing there but this was without 2 kids in tow.
Val / Tigne & the 3 Vallees are much more interconnected so plenty plenty skiing so would be my preferred option.
Just remember a Val d'Isere red is the equivalent of a black in pretty much any other resort....
InTheRainOnATrain · 11/01/2024 17:32
Val d’Isere definitely if the budget permits, accommodation can be pricey! Just watch the piste classifications when skiing with your 7YO- they’ve got better and regraded a lot but you still get some weird ones like the womens world cup downhill is only a red. The only thing you’re missing is how good the skiing is in North America though, no where in Europe can compete! But if it has to be France then definitely Val d’Isere.
seathewayahead · 13/01/2024 11:27
I have a child same age and I’ve been paying for a lift pass in France since he turned 6 - i think it’s cheaper than adult but it’s not free.
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