What exactly makes a ‘Famille Plus’ ski-resort?
Famille Plus is a national label awarded to tourist destinations offering a special welcome and services tailored to families and children.
They promise to offer :
1. A personal welcome for families
2. Entertainment suitable for all ages
3. Special tarifs for children and older people
4. Activities for young and old, to enjoy together or separately
5. All shops and services on hand
6. Child care by professional staff
Maintaining High Standards
The label is awarded for 3-year periods. Holders undergo regular audits to ensure standards are maintained, and can renew their membership only if the criteria continue to be met.
The label ensures that accommodation providers plus child-care and other professional staff work harder at providing the best possible welcome for families.
Dedicated children’s area at Orcières 1850
Family Entertainment
Famille Plus ski stations offer a season of family entertainment and activities. Events are publicised at the tourist offices, or you can visit the Famille Plus website and see the relevant programme for your chosen destination.
Clowns entertain children at a cross-country
ski
event, Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval, in the Grand Massif.
More Information
For family friendly resorts and accommodation:
Peak Retreats
0844 576 0170 (UK)
or +44 23 9283 9310
reservations@peakretreats.co.uk
Visit the Famille Plus website for details of all their mountain destinations (currently in French only).
Winter & Ski Home
Family Skiing
Top Tips: Painless Family Ski Holidays
1. Select a family-friendly French resort...
By choosing one of the family-friendly French ski resorts which have earned a Famille Plus label (see left for details) you’ll be sure of having plenty to do for all ages, including great ski schools for kids and dedicated care facilities for little ones. And the resorts not only cater for kids – older generations will be pleased to discover a range of gentler winter activities, along with flexible lift-pass options.
2. Book with a specialist ski operator...
Specialist holiday companies know their destinations well, and will be able to describe the accommodation in detail. Discuss all the options and get the best deal for you and your family. For family friendly resorts and accommodation check out Peak Retreats, voted 'Best Ski Company' in the Guardian and Observer Travel Awards 2009, 2010 and 2011.
3. Please yourself,
with self-catering accommodation...
If meals are part of the ski holiday package you’re considering, try to see sample menus to ensure that your kids will be happy to eat what's on offer. If you’re unsure, then go self-catering – you’ll be able to eat what you like when it suits you, and you’ll also have the opportunity to try fresh local produce by shopping nearby.
4. Prepare your vehicle for winter driving...
Make all your vehicle checks calmly, before you pack for the journey. As well as spare bulps, fuses and other essential items required by law when driving in France, always carry snow-chains (or textile equivalents if your vehicle won’t take chains) and practice fitting them to your car before you leave. Also take a blanket or two, a head-torch, an ice-scraper and plenty of de-icer. A windscreen cover is invaluable if you have to park outside.
5. Buy your own ski equipment...
If you're regular skiers, you'll know all about hiring equipment. These days old and uncomfortable boots, poorly-maintained skis and lack of personal service are pretty much a thing of the past. But why waste precious time getting kitted-out when you could get straight onto the slopes in your own boots? Choose a shop where you can get a specialist to measure you and fit your boots patiently and professionally. It's a worthwhile investment for intermediate skiers. Skis are more a matter of personal taste, and this is where a good hire shop can help. Try out several different makes of ski - you'll know when you've found the right ones for you. And for a bargain look for previous-season's ski and boot ranges. Happy skiing!
6. Use a local guide...
This is a great way to discover a ski resort. A guide will quickly assess your abilities and show you terrain to suit you (and to challenge you a little if you wish). It will help you make the most of your holiday, particularly in large, linked domains where you’ll want to make the most of your precious lift-pass.
7. Download an app...
Check out the Travel or Weather categories of iTunes for resort apps which will provide you with up to-the-minute resort information and maps. Try Merinet (Meribel), Tignesnet, Morznet (Morzine), and Alpedhueznet for starters. The Ski Club of Great Britain has a downloadable app with snow reports from 250 ski resorts around the world, with daily updates to show the current snow conditions.
Simply Piste provides a free downloadable app enabling you to browse an entire store of skiwear and accessories. It works seamlessly with their web store so you can order and pay for items just as you would online.
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8. Save money on ski-passes...
To economise on ski passes and accommodation visit resort websites for advance booking special offers and family deals– and remember that if you're able to get away January is the month for bargain skiing. Many areas now offer part-day and non-consecutive day lift-passes, allowing you extra time to relax, enjoy other activities or ski nearby resorts.
9. Look for ski-in/ski-out accommodation...
Enjoy more time on your skis by choosing places to stay offering direct access to the slopes. Avoid long and uncomfortable treks in your boots or crowded shuttle-bus rides; just snap into your skis and you're away. The only time this might be a disadvantage is when you have to take kids to ski-school or when you have non-skiers in your party. Finding accommodation close to the ski school avoids long walks while carrying both your own and your children’s skis.
10. Check the webcams...
If you're skiing with children then you're probably doing so during the busiest periods on the slopes. You can't help that, but you might be able to profit from the best conditions possible by keeping an eye on the resort webcams. Check which Alpine regions have the best snow cover, then book accordingly.
Large domains such as the Evasion Mont Blanc have such a variety of terrain that a full lift-pass will give you the opportunity to find good conditions every day, whatever the weather. If you have the choice, try and ski in January, when snow conditions are often at their best and accommodation is cheap. If you just can't stay away and fancy a late break, April can bring large snowfalls –but ski early in the day to avoid slushy afternoons in the spring sunshine.
© Julia Moss 2010
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in France
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