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The Tarentaise Valley has some of the big guns when it comes to ski resorts, but it also has a host of smaller more family orientated resorts. Head to this beautiful region with its dramatic scenery, baroque churches and quaint mountaintop villages and enjoy a memorable family getaway!
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This resort offers an excellent mix of advanced skiing combined with spacious and uncrowded green and blue slopes for beginners. La Plagne is actually 11 resorts in 1 and is in the Paradiski area. There are numerous family friendly properties on offer and the resort has a great reputation for its ski schools, so you can start your family off on the right foot. Our favourite is Ski Famille, which offers 2 beautiful chalets specifically catering for families, right on the piste! La Plagne's Famille Plus label brings with it a host of different activities for the kids from a babygym to the luge. There is an artificial frozen waterfall where you can try out ice-climbing, night skiing and France’s only public bobsleigh! You will find something for all the family at La Plagne.
Part of the Three Valley’s ski area, St. Martin de Belleville is a great resort for those whose children already know the basics. This traditional Savoyard village does not have lots of nursery slopes, but there are plenty of beginner friendly slopes. There is even a beginner’s pass which only gives access to beginner’s terrain and saves you money. There are also often ticket deals for families, which can result in you only having to pay the children’s price for the whole family! When not on the slopes you can explore the historic village centre with its clock tower and baroque church. The Saint Martin Museum is also family friendly and tells the story of the history of the Vallée des Belleville.
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Les Arcs is in the Paradiski area and offers 425 km of pistes of varying difficulties. It is a great family friendly resort with each of its four villages offering something different. The resort as a whole has a Famille Plus Mountain label, but Arc 1950 is probably the best village for families. It is pedestrianised and enjoys its own ski school and children’s club. There is also a swimming pool, a kids’ corner and you can even loan board games! Childcare can be found in all four villages and ski lessons in English for children are readily available. With all levels of skiing and snowboarding available it is the perfect resort for families of mixed abilities. The many great bars and restaurants, shops and spas also mean there is always something to keep everyone entertained.
This small and uncrowded resort offers old-style Savoyard charm with wood and stone buildings and quaint and cosy bars and restaurants. Sainte-Foy overlooks the stunning Thuria Glacier and has many beautiful wide tree lined runs. The usually quiet nursery slopes are ideal for children and beginners and offers nothing too steep or challenging as you slide along its tree lined length. If you are looking for more of a challenge the resort is also home to some enviable off-piste areas and the notorious black slope, Crystal Dark. There is an excellent ski school, Ecole du Ski Français, which takes children from the age of 3, as well as providing great instructors for adults too!
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This resort specialises in family friendly skiing and has a fantastic welcoming atmosphere. It is a smaller resort but is perfect for beginners and those working on their technique. There is the Yeti Village for youngsters and beginners and 8 greens and 25 blues for those wanting to practice. Children can make use of the Lutins magic carpet and the Manessier lift, which are great for those first starting out on their own. The Petit-Saint-Bernard adventure slope is a beautiful slope lined with tress that has been turned into an educational playground, helping your kids get to grips with the basics. If you want a day without the kids, the fantastic Les Galopins club offers great childcare with activities and games for the little ones. La Rosiere is a wonderful option for the whole family.
Learning to ski can be a daunting experience, but with the guidance and support of a professional instructor you can easily be up and down the mountain in a matter of days! Finding an English speaking instructor is not difficult, even in the smaller resorts and most ski schools also provide lessons tailored to children. Most schools offer both private and group lessons so you will always be able to find something that fits your needs.
Want your little ones to learn to love skiing in a safe and fun environment? New Generation Ski & Snowboard School offers lessons in Les Arcs, La Plagne and St Martin de Belleville. Their kid's ski groups are small and friendly and all lessons are offered in English. Their aim is to inspire, support and develop. And believe that when your child feels supported in a friendly and welcoming environment, they'll learn faster and have more fun. You are on holiday after all! With over 20 years of experience, you can book with confidence.
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Each of the resorts above is well connected to local transport hubs. You have the option of catching a coach from either the airports of Lyon, Grenoble, Geneva or Chambéry or from one of the nearby train stations. However, if you are travelling as a family with luggage a private transfer is the best option for you! There is often an option to share the transport and there are many companies offering reasonable prices. See below our favourites!
Snowbus has been organising transfers to resorts in the Tarentaise Valley since 2008 and knows exactly how to provide the perfect service. Their transfer options are great value and offer you convenient transport both to and from your resort. Snowbus works with a reliable and trustworthy local network, ensuring flexibility and that you receive the best deal no matter how big your group. They are one of the only companies to offer both shared and private transfers, meaning you will always find the best option for your budget. Drivers are experienced and English-speaking, so you are guaranteed a great experience!
Whiterides offers private airport transfers to the Tarentaise Valley, both in the winter for skiing and in the summer for bike transfers. Drivers are English-speaking, experienced and friendly and will ensure that you receive a high-quality experience. The service is available 24/7 so no matter when you need to leave, you will be able to get a Whiterides minibus! All vehicles are new, comfortable and clean and have plenty of space for your luggage and equipment. There are free child seats and no extra charges for carrying ski or snowboard equipment. Start your Alpine adventure the right way!
If you are looking for cheap private and shared ski transfers in France, Austria, Switzerland or Italy, then the Snowcompare comparison platform is the website to use. You can save time searching independent websites in search of the best deal, instead you can find all the information in one place. The website shows you the price for each option, allows you to compare customer reviews and see the current availability.
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