Family holidays in Chamonix

If you’re coming for a ski holiday with a young family, look for accommodation near any of the lifts. The fewer steps your little people have to take in ski boots, the better (for all concerned!).

Les Houches is always popular with families. It has: 

• a good mix of terrain for people of all abilities
• some ski in-ski out chalets
• lots of family-sized accommodation
• a good selection of bars and restaurants

It’s also a little closer to Geneva, if you’re keen to keep journey time to a minimum.

Lift passes make up a significant portion of the cost of a family holiday to the mountains, so it pays to check you’re buying the right ticket for your group. 

Here in Chamonix there are various concessions to help you keep your costs down, such as:

• kids under 5 use the lifts for free
• kids between 5 and 14 pay a reduced ('youth') rate
• there are reduced-price ski passes if you only want to use the beginner areas
• you can buy a pedestrian pass - if maybe you or your partner don’t ski, but you still want to go up and watch the kids

You can buy half day lift tickets if a full day on the mountain seems too long for the little ones. It’s not a lot cheaper than an all day ticket, but it’ll save you a little bit. 

Lift passes in Chamonix for families of four or more

If you're a family of four or more, you'll be able to save money on the regular ticket price by buying a 'family lift pass'. With one of these:  

• two adults pay full price - can be parents or grandparents 
• the first child aged 5 and over pays full price
• up to four other children (aged 5 to 14) go free

A family pass for two adults and two children costs around €950 for six days.

If you have designs on raising the next Shaun White or Chemmy Alcot, then getting your children into ski school will be a priority!

The two main ski schools that cater for young children are ESF and Evolution2. Both: 

• offer full and half-day sessions
• have English speaking guides
• will take your kids to a dedicated area where they can learn how to snow plough, stop, turn and glide safely

Ski schools usually take weekly bookings, so if you’re only here for a few days it’s good to check if there’s any space for your children.

What age can children start ski lessons

Ski schools will take them from 3 years old. At this age, the focus is on having fun in the snow, so there are normally inflatables and games to play. 

Most beginner areas also have a ‘magic carpet’ travelator (a bit like the ones you get at airports) to get kids and beginner adults to the top of the slopes without having to contend with lifts.

Whether you’re a kid or an adult, half-day lessons are normally more than enough if you’re a novice.

What’s included in the price of a lesson

The price you pay for a ski lesson is for tuition only. Ski passes are not included.

So for kids aged 5 and over, you’ll need to make sure they have: 

• a valid ski pass (you can get discounted passes if you're only using the nursery slopes)
• skis, helmets, goggles - you can hire these from one of the many ski hire shops in the resort
• appropriate clothing, like salopettes and a jacket, warm layers and gloves  
• sunscreen

A ski pass isn’t necessary for those under five, but you'll still need to buy a hands-free card for them to use on the turnstiles. You can get one of these from any lift station, take ID to prove their age.

A decent mix of terrain should keep all the family happy.  

Again, Les Houches is popular with families. There’s also a good range of terrain to suit all abilities at Le Tour. 

Le Tour has a large beginner area at La Vormaine (near the car park) and lots of cruisy blue runs higher up (Domaine de Balme ski area, which links with Vallorcine).

Le Tour itself is much quieter than Les Houches, so if you base yourself up this end of the valley, you’ll probably need to head into Argentiere to eat out as a family.

Brévent and Flégère - which are linked - also have a good mix of terrain.

If you have beginners in your family, you might want to check out the: 

• Planards and Savoy nursery slopes - these are on either side of Chamonix town
• Trappe green run at Flégère
• La Poya nursery area at Le Buet (Vallorcine) 

Family skiing at Grands Montets

There’s a nursery area at Grands Montets called Les Chosalets, but most of the Grands Montets ski area is suited to more advanced skiers and snowboarders. The terrain is quite steep.

We'd always recommend families go to one of the other ski areas above.

Chamonix is a year-round resort, and it’s a great place to come whether it’s winter or summer. It all depends on what you love doing.

If you’ve got children, here are a few things you might want to try.

There are several options for childcare in Chamonix. You might also be able to find nannies in Chamonix on the Chamonix Facebook page.

If you're here during summer

The sports centre of each town sometimes hosts a kids club during the summer holidays, with activities like swimming, climbing, tennis, basketball and ice-skating.

Check availability at the local tourist offices.