5 of the best family ski resorts in France

Most of my childhood holidays were spent in France – and while I never learned to ski as a child, it’s no surprise that the French Alps are one of the most popular places for UK families planning a ski holiday.

But when you’re skiing with kids, there’s more to consider before you book than the chances of snow and the apres ski. From winter activities off the slopes to easy transfers, the best family ski resorts in France will vary depending on your own children and their ages and abilities.

For starters, you need to know your accommodation will suit your kids – do you want the flexibility of a chalet, for example, as that’s often ideal for families with younger kids, or someone to handle all the practicalities, with a company that specialises in ski holidays in France. 

The area you pick will make a difference too. So I’ve found five ski resorts in the French Alps which are great for families – here’s why.

For more tips for a first family ski trip, check out this post for everything from packing to snow ploughs

Morzine

Why families will love Morzine

Unlike some of the less attractive purpose-built resorts, this former farming spot is the sort of picture postcard Alpine village you imagine when you think about skiing in France with kids.

And as well as having gentle ski runs for kids to learn, there’s also a good range of facilities for families plus other activities that make it a particularly child-friendly spot.

What’s the skiing like in Morzine?

There’s a variety of levels to choose from but it’s a great spot for new starters or those looking to build their confidence or skills.

The wide pistes tend to be gentle gradients, and the beginner’s slopes are very close to the town centre – plus there are hardly any drag lifts, which will go down well with nervous novices.

Part of the Portes du Soleil area including Avoriaz, there are 650km of pistes across this part of France and over the Swiss border making it one of the largest in the world (along with Les 3 Vallees).

What else is there to do in Morzine?

There are some great activities to suit younger kids here as well – dog sledding, with a choice of driving your own sled or having a guide take you out through the forest.

There are also horse-drawn carriage rides to let you relax and soak up the scenery after a hard morning skiing. Or discover the carousel, ice skating and the pool at the aquatic centre.

If your kids are over eight, you can even try an igloo experience: around 30-45 minutes walk out to the igloo, where you’ll eat fondue before heading back.

If it’s too bad to ski or you’re not heading onto the slopes every day, at nearby Les Gets, there’s a mechanical music museum to discover too.

Any other bonuses?

It’s only 50 miles from Geneva, so has a very easy transfer – ideal if you don’t fancy being stuck on a transfer bus for ages on the roads up to the resort. A definite plus point if you’re looking at family ski resorts in France with younger kids.

If you’re looking for a smaller ski resort in the French Alps with kids, check out Les Carroz, part of the Grand Massif

La Tania-Courchevel

Why families will love La Tania

Set between Courchevel and Meribel in the 3 Vallees ski area, La Tania is good value among some of the glitzier resorts and much less overwhelming than some of the bigger centres.

Small enough to make life easy with little ones, there’s still plenty to do and even more on the doorstep so you won’t be bored either.

What’s the skiing like at La Tania-Courchevel?

Almost too many options to list – a whopping 600km of piste across one of Europe’s biggest ski areas (linking you to Merible and Val Thorens, among others), over 2,000 snow cannons (snow guaranteed) and slopes up to 3,200m.

Around 150km of those slopes are at 1,300m, which means lots of choice for beginners too including a blue run through the trees and green run looking out to the Tarantaise valley, both with great snow coverage. There’s even a free lift for beginners.

The La-Tania-Courchevel area also has special beginner sections called ZEN areas (Zone for the Evolution of Novices) to ensure all ages can stay safe as they learn or gain confidence, including magic carpet lifts – Courchevel 1850 has several.

And away from the serious business of skiing, there are fun areas including the Indian Trail where kids can try archery and face painting, plus the Family Park which is ideal for teens who fancy learning a few tricks and helpful ones like The Stop Zone, where you can practise stopping safely.

What else is there to do at La Tania-Courchevel?

As well as the usual activities including a carousel, skating, bowling (with child-friendly lanes) and dog sledding, you’ll find play areas and indoor climbing plus high ropes and ziplines (some for age five or seven plus)

For something a little different, you can hire segways in Courchevel to get around.

Any other bonuses?

There’s no traffic in the centre of La Tania which makes it more relaxing with little ones – and once you’ve got the hang of skiing, you can even ski to the shops and restaurants.

If you’re travelling with little ones, grab a cheap sledge to make getting around even more fun (walking through snow is tiring for little legs) or you can hire these rather cute and stable baby sleds from Holiday Baby Hire, which is based in Courchevel.

Tignes

Why families will love Tignes

There’s a very easygoing atmosphere for beginners and it’s well set up if you’re learning to ski – including helpful options like a slow chairlift for the nursery slopes.

Tignes is also made up of several different areas and villages, and if Val Claret has a party reputation, pretty Les Brevieres and Tignes 1800 (formerly Les Boisses) are both good options for families, with ski-in ski-out accommodation too.

Or central Tignes le Lac is right in the heart of the resort with lots going on if you’re looking for more than just skiing. Ideal if you’re looking for family ski resorts in France with plenty to do away from the pistes.

What’s the skiing like in Tignes?

One of the largest ski areas in Europe, it’s one of the most snow sure in France and there’s over 300km of pistes connected by a system of super fast ski lifts.

While learners won’t care that you can ski the glacier pistes, Tignes is also a good option if there is a mix of skills in your group. With such a big area, it means less waiting in lift queues too – which everyone likes.

There’s also plenty for beginners. Once you’ve graduated from the central nursery slopes, you’ll find green runs nearby to help build confidence.

All in all, you’ll find two kindergarten ski areas, four nursery areas, 20 green pistes and 67 blue pistes.

What else is there to do in Tignes?

There’s not just plenty of skiing on offer at Tignes – you’ll find other winter activities for kids including more adrenaline-fuelled options for older ones, as well as dog sledding, ice skating, a cinema showing kids’ films and the 3km tobogganing slope of Expedition Cobra (formerly Pala’Fou) for mini daredevils.

Any other bonuses?

There are five free ski lifts at Tignes which mean you won’t necessarily need to buy a lift pass if you’re learning. Every little helps on a ski holiday.

Avoriaz

Why families will love Avoriaz

A great balance of a smaller pretty Alpine resort but with access to a huge amount of skiing, it’s also got a stand-out ski school and facilities for kids.

The Children’s Village – or Village des Enfants  – teaches skiers aged three to 16 but without any of the drill sergeant techniques you might find at ski schools elsewhere. Instead, the big focus is adapting to the individual child.

So if little ones start to seem tired, they’ll switch to indoor activities and even a chance to sleep, while also offering hours which mean parents can get out and make the most of the slopes.

They also arrange it so kids can start 15 minutes before parents’ ski lessons so if you’re learning yourself, you don’t need to try to be in two places at once.

What’s the skiing like in Avoriaz?

Part of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area, along with Morzine, there is 650km of pistes and over 200 lifts set across 14 valleys. Higher than Morzine, Avoriaz 1800 as it brands itself, is also more snow sure – ideal if you’re visiting later (or earlier) in the year.

You don’t need to venture too far to find family friendly skiing as well and the Avoriaz pistes are divided into four areas, including one for beginners and one for families.

Beginners have slopes in the village as well as green pistes on the way down to Morzine. For families with mixed abilities, there’s also a mix of blue, red and black runs. If you’re feeling confident, the Expert area has a black run used for the World downhill championships…

There are also terrain parks aimed at beginners and kids.

What else is there to do in Avoriaz?

As well as all the activities at the Children’s Village, from puppet shows to drama, dressing up and drawing, there’s the Aquariaz water park. This tropical green oasis is right in the heart of Avoriaz, developed by Center Parcs, with lazy river, splash play zone for younger ones and slides.

Or you can enjoy a horse and carriage ride and a twirl on the inevitable carousel if you fancy a few traditional activities as well as an array of snowy things to do for non-skiers.

Any other bonuses?

Another resort with no cars, which is tempting with kids – all the accommodation is ski-in ski-out. The only thing to watch out for is the horse-drawn carriages clopping through the streets.

Val d’Isere

Why families will love Val d’Isere

As well as having a range of runs for different abilities, the easier slopes aren’t far from the more challenging ones, so instead of families splitting into different directions, you could even find yourselves taking the lift together then meeting back at the bottom after following different level pistes down.

What’s the skiing like at Val d’Isere?

Part of the Espace Killy ski area along with Tignes, there is 300km to explore including green slopes for novice skiers.

And while you’ll find nursery slopes for little ones or adult beginners, there are even some blue runs on the glacier if you fancy a little more of a challenge but don’t want to tackle a red run.

There are also three free ski lifts to the green runs so beginners won’t need to buy lift passes.

Val d’Isere is also a great place for snowboarding if you’re planning to learn, or if your family has a mix of skiers and boarders.

What else is there to do at Val d’Isere?

As well as sledging, kids aged six or above can try the Snake Gliss multisledge, along with ice skating.

Or for a change from the snow, there’s also the Centre Aquasportif with pool, beach world and other water fun.

Any other bonuses?

Not far from the Italian border, you’ll find great Italian food as well as the traditional mountain dishes of most family ski resorts in France – ideal if your kids would happily eat pizza every day but don’t fancy raclette.

For more tips for a first family ski trip, check out this post, as well as more ideas for family ski holidays with childcare

*First published 2019, last updated 2025*

PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST FAMILY SKI RESORTS IN FRANCE

Images courtesy of Depositphotos

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