Top Ten: Family Ski Destinations Xmas 2008

If you’d rather swap the drizzle and Brussels sprouts for a festive family ski holiday adventure, why not take your brood to the beautiful French Alps? We’ve rounded up ten of the best family friendly ski resorts in France with some top deals for comfortable self-catering ski holiday apartments that won’t break the bank.

Most of the featured apartments in these resorts are also ski in ski out locations – perfect for little ones, and a White Christmas is guaranteed!

1. Avoriaz

One of the biggest, most beautiful and innovative ski areas in the world, the bustling resort of Avoriaz also boasts pristine eco credentials. This car-free ski heaven is home to ‘Le Stash’ – Europe’s first environmentally friendly snow park, and the fabulous Children’s Village, created by top skier Annie Famose, who is also a mum who understands the demands of kids on holiday. There is also a skating rink, a fully equipped sports centre, and sleigh rides to get you in the Christmas spirit!

December deals

PV-Holidays has studios available in the ideally-located Balcons de Soleil Residence from 378 Euros per week from 20th December. Each studio sleeps four.

2. Les Arcs

Overlooked by Mont Blanc and next to the Vanoise National Park, the Les Arc ski area is also car-free and easy to navigate, making it a great choice if you’re taking your first ski trip with young children. A bowling alley is close by, as is a spa if you manage to secure an afternoon away from the slopes.

December deals

One of the best family-friendly self-catering apartments in Les Arcs, Residence Le Belmont has four-person studios, from 940 Euros for seven nights, from the 19th December. Little ones love the onsite kids play area, there’s a wide choice of games to borrow, and the property has a library, too.

3. La Plagne

Comprising a network of ski villages, La Plagne is well-connected until midnight by an excellent system of lifts and buses. The ski area is an intermediates paradise with long reds and blues to explore making it a great choice for more experienced skiers and families with snow-mad teenagers. There’s an excellent ski school and crèche, too.

December deals

A popular self-catering apartment in La Plagne, The Residence Les Hauts Bois has one-bedroom apartments (for up to six people) for seven nights for 1550 Euros, from 20th December. The residence also has a food shopping delivery and bakery services.

4. Les Menuires

Ideally located for some of the best 3 Valley pistes, Les Menuires is not only very child-friendly but offers free ski passes for children under five. There are plenty of ski schools for beginners, and a magnificent snow castle for the little ones to play in once they’ve tired of the slopes. Highlights for older children include snow mobiling and husky dog sledding.

December deals

Residence Aconit offers one-bedroom apartments for families of four, for seven nights from 19th December. Prices start from 949.97 Euros. Recently renovated, this residence now features a great new swimming pool and ice rink.

5.Flaine

Nestled in the heart of a natural, tree-lined bowl, Flaine is a modern, car-free resort with fabulous views of Mont Blanc. The highlights for children include a go-karting track, indoor pool and climbing wall, while parents with an eye for art will love the monumental works by Picasso and Dubuffet on display in resort.

December deals

La Foret residence offers seven nights in apartments that cater for up to five from 550 Euros, from 13th December.

6.Valmorel

Frozen waterfalls, horse -drawn sleigh rides and an igloo village are among the highlights of the magical resort of Valmorel. Surround by rustic residences, this picture-postcard resort looks like Disneyland in the snow!

December deals

The comfy Athamante & Valeriane has seven nights in four-person studios from 621 Euros, from 20th December. The residence is baby-friendly, and has a toboggan run just for kids.

7.Alpe d’Huez

A fun, relaxed resort, Alpe d’Huez caters for both experts and novices. The designated ‘slow zone’ is perfect for any first timer, or mini-skier. Attractions include igloos, glacier tours, snow mobiling, and a sports centre with ice rink and heated indoor pool.

December deals

Residence Les Melezes has seven nights in studio cabins for families of four for 430 Euros, from 20th December. The ‘Les Eterlous’ children’s village is nearby.

8.Courchevel

Ice karting, snow mobiling, snow rafting and tobogganing are just a few of the attractions to keep active kids entertained. Courcheval is a great choice for skiers of all levels and offers excellent crèche facilities and ski schools. There’s also the Olympic ice rink and a cinema.

December deals

Courchevel 1850 – Chalets du Forum, is right at the foot of the slopes, and offers easy access one-bedroom apartments (which sleep 5) from 1970 Euros for seven nights from 20th December.

9. Serre Chevalier

A network of charming villages and hamlets, the resort of Serre Chevalier has a lovely tree-lined ski area. Families love its peaceful, traditional atmosphere but there’s also plenty to appeal to young thrill-seekers. Horse and carriage rides, and snow scooter trips are among the highlights.

December deals

Residence L’Alpaga has seven nights in four-person studios from 630 Euros, from 20th December. Baby-friendly apartments are also available.

10. Vars

Older children and teenagers have a ball in Vars. This action-packed resort offers snow bikes, ‘seal skin’ hikes, tobogganing, and helicopter flights, as well as a host of treats for grown-ups, including saunas, spa treatments and Turkish baths.

December deals

Residence L’Albane has four-person studios available for seven nights from 690 Euros, from 20th December.

Comment

If you’d like to share your tips for family ski holidays in the French Alps we’d love to hear from you. Which resorts do you think cater best for families? Do you have advice for other parents about taking under 10s on ski holidays? Which are the best family-friendly and affordable restaurants in resort?

For further information on resorts featured and hot deals for December, visit www.pv-holidays.com

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