Top 5 family ski resorts in the Alps

The Famille Plus label, which rewards resorts that implement everything necessary to welcome families, was born in 2006. And in the same year, the Aussois ski resort was already certified, a sign of its family atmosphere and its investment in properly welcoming parents and children.

Aussois is a village in Haute-Maurienne, Savoie, located at an altitude of 1500 meters. It certainly has a small alpine area, but one that has the advantage of suiting all levels, and of course children. Between the different green and blue slopes, the fun ski slope, the toboggan runs, the walks to do on the Nordic domain, the dog sled rides, tree climbing or even Christmas festivities and entertainment, children will not lack entertainment during a stay in Aussois!

Childcare solutions are also offered, with the La Maison des Enfants daycare for toddlers aged 6 months to 5 years. You can also, of course, entrust your children to the ESF, which has in Aussois a snow school, a Piou-Piou club and private and group lessons for children from 4 years old and teenagers

Would you like to think bigger and enjoy a varied ski area while the children are at ski school? La Plagne is an Alpine destination that might appeal to you, with its access to the Paradiski domain, culminating at an altitude of 3250 meters, and offering 425 km of slopes and fun areas of all kinds.

As for snow activities for children, there's no risk of boredom in La Plagne: there are beginner areas to learn to ski near each village, fun slopes, a children's snowpark, organized toboggan and snooc descents, a Sports club, ski schools, pony rides, pedestrian paths, and much more!

But which La Plagne village to choose when coming with children? All of them can be suitable for a family stay, but two of them benefit from the Famille Plus label:

• La Plagne Montalbert, which has a daycare and babysitters;

• Montchavin Les Coches, which has a day nursery, a leisure center, a Yeti club and babysitters, but also an aquatic fun area with a swimming pool, a cinema, an ice rink, etc.

Another Alpine resort particularly suitable for family holidays: Avoriaz, located at an altitude of 1800 meters, in the Haute-Savoie department. Firstly, because it is a pedestrian village, which allows you to move easily and safely with children. The village can even be explored by horse-drawn sleigh, for a magical moment.

Secondly, because the ski area is adapted for the youngest, with several beginner zones, 37 green slopes, more than 100 blue slopes, a children's snowpark (Lil Stash), etc., as well as preferential rates: free pass for children under 5 years old and special offers for 5-15 year olds and 16-19 year olds.

Avoriaz also offers a favorable setting for family stays with its childcare services. There is the children's village, which is both a leisure center and a ski school for all ages, and a day nursery.

Activities for the whole family are also very diverse, both outdoors and indoors: ice rink, climbing wall, Aquariaz aquatic fun area, bowling, snow karting, snowshoeing, etc., and more thrilling activities for teenagers and parents.

Ski resort in the Hautes-Alpes, Les Orres is also among the best family ski resorts, and its Famille Plus certification confirms it.

For the youngest, 2 day nurseries (with or without ski service) are offered, as well as 2 snow gardens for 3-5 year olds and the Juni'Orres club for 6-12 year olds. Your children can also learn to ski with ESF or ESI instructors and enjoy the specially designed areas on the domain: the initiation zones at Orres 1800, the green and blue slopes (14 in total) and the tobogganing areas.

In terms of non-skiing activities, the possibilities are diverse enough to please children of all ages and parents. In Les Orres, for example, you can try dog sledding, go down a rail luge, go to the ice rink and the swimming pool, introduce your child to snow quad biking, share a fun descent on Snake Gliss, etc.

Several accommodations (tourist residence and hotel), as well as restaurants, are also certified thanks to their family rates, their facilities and services, and the entertainment offered for children.

La Norma defines itself as a "cosy resort" in Savoie, thanks to its village-resort atmosphere, its entirely pedestrian area, and its gentle way of life. Perfect for a change of scenery and more peaceful family holidays than in some renowned resorts!

The La Norma resort has a small ski area, but one that is very suitable for a family stay, with its green and blue slopes, its fun area, its toboggan run at the snow front, its rail luge, but also areas for older children, such as the snowpark, the slalom stadium, and red and black level slopes.

And when not skiing in La Norma, there's still plenty to do as a family, with regular entertainment and shows, supervised descents in lugi-kart, accessible snowshoe hikes, etc.

To have the little ones looked after, the resort has a daycare for children aged 3 months to 6 years and a children's club for 3-6 year olds, not to mention the services offered by the ESF (for both children and adults).

Our top 5 family ski destinations in the Alps massif obviously does not offer an exhaustive list. By consulting the Famille Plus certified mountain villages, you will see that family hospitality has also been rewarded in Val Thorens, Val d'Isère, Vaujany, Tignes, Les Houches, Le Grand Bornand, La Clusaz, Alpe d'Huez, Saint-François Longchamp, and many other resorts in the Alps and throughout France.

But don't rely solely on the Famille Plus logo to choose your family destination! While it is a guarantee of quality, that doesn't mean that other resorts in the Northern Alps and Southern Alps do not have suitable offers. To make your choice, find out about family ski passes at reduced prices, about the children's equipment rental, about childcare during holidays, about daytime activities, about accommodation, etc.

Looking for a family resort elsewhere in France ? Also consult our guide on the best family ski resorts in France, whether in the Pyrenees, the Vosges, or the Massif Central. You will then find the ideal destination for your next winter holidays, and all you'll have left to do is prepare your stay by booking your accommodation and your ski passes, and ski rental online!