Many people are wondering which of the countless mountain towns and villages would be the best family ski resort. For us, it has to be Alpe d’Huez.
There are lots of factors to take into consideration – number and types of runs, childcare options, accommodation etc. Budget is also a key one (read here how to cut down the cost of a family skiing trip). Here are the things that make Alpe d’Huez the ultimate family friendly ski destination.
1. Dedicated kid runs
Not many ski resorts offer dedicated fun runs for children but Alpe d’Huez does. And not only one but three. All of them feature popular cartoon characters making skiing fun not only for the youngest visitors.
- Marcel’s Farm – as the name indicates, is farmers themed with farmer’s house, cow and pig slalom, bumps and even a bell to hit with your pole when completed
- Chez Roger – features the popular black sheep character and offers the children tunnels, bridges and slalom areas.
- Jacques the woodcutter – the run offers great photo and fun opportunities, including a massive saw swing, bumps and bells that will keep every little skier happy
Our son absolutely loved skiing down these runs and still at home is playing skiing on Marcel’s Farm. He enjoyed the variety of activities that these runs offered making it a nice change from a typical ski experience. Every time he could hit the swinging bell at the end at full speed, he was extremely proud of himself.
2. Children ski schools
What would be a family friendly ski resort that would not have proper teaching facilities. Alpe d’Huez has them in abundance. The local branch of ESF – the biggest French ski school – offers a number of fenced off young ski learning areas. They are all equipped with “magic carpets” and a friendly duckling Piou-Piou to encourage the youngest skiers.
And I mean young. In Alpe d’Huez, children as young as 3 years old can start learning to ski. This is not common in Europe where most of the ski schools require the kids to be at least 4.
Our 4yo daughter loved the school so much that she wanted to stay for another week.
So here you are – 4yo mark of approval!
What we also enjoyed, is the fact that ski schools offer you the option of booking full day of ski tutoring and child supervision during the lunch break. So your children might spend a whole day on the slope learning if you wish to have time for adult skiing.
3. Childcare
ESF Chalet des Enfants is another family friendly facility. It is basically a purpose built nursery on the slope. The staff provides full child care and make sure that your children are where they need to be for ski school, lunch and other snow fun.
A word of warning though, the Chalet des Enfants gets full of French children during holidays. There is very limited number of non-French children that might make it a bit uncomfortable for little ones that do not understand this language. Or it might give them a chance to learn a little?
We used Chalet des Enfants a year ago and found the people working there really caring and involved. Our son had his lunches there and they also took onboard his food allergies and discussed options and menus with us. Read about travelling with allergies in Europe.
4. Swimming pool
In the centre of Alpe d’Huez there is also a heated open air swimming pool. We forgot to take our costumes but the kids would happily jump in there in a second. It was full of families with young children.
Of course, as with other family ski resorts, you will find all the ski rental shops offering children equipment discounted ski passes, ski children.
Alpe d’Huez is also recognised as one of the top family friendly ski resort by the official French Famillie Plus certification. This coveted label recognised top family friendly ski destinations in the French Alps.
We have visited Alpe d’Huez twice in the last two years and it was always a great experience. If you ask us for a recommendation for a family friendly ski resort in France – Alpe d’Huez would have to be it.