Posted by
jedili
20 yrs ago
Hi
Any recommendations/experience on a family-type French ski resort i.e. with various activities for kids 4-5y old?
Any pointers for accomodation much appreciated too.
Thanks
--Phil
Please support our advertisers:
we were going to Mulpiple resorts in France for skiing. For family I can recomend La Plane (not sure on spelling) they have only one 3* Hotel there - it's very good for kids as they have skischool in the morning and kids club in a spaciuos playroom in the afternoon. It's all part of hotel and very convenient. Highly recomend to send kid to skischool. they are very good at La Plan.
Another one that we like is Meribel-Mottaret in Three Valley. Meribel itself is lower and has more night life. Mottaret is higher, quiter and closer to major skilifts. Ski school is right ther out of the doorstep.
This resort is good for passionate about skiing parents. you can combine both - red&black slopes for parents and convenience for kids.
Make sure you avoid Pierre Vacance accomodation - it's really tiny and very basic.
if you need more information call 91805633 - Genya
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks for your suggestions Genya.
I've checked Pierre&Vacances, BertrandVacances, etc Prices are pretty high indeed due to the season.
Have you had any problems with the transport?
Am still wondering whether rent a car or by train? the trip seems long for kids (and parents!) from Paris.
--Phil
Please support our advertisers:
eMom
20 yrs ago
Hi I am looking for reasonably priced hotels in France for skiing in Feb/Mar too. Last year we travelled to La Plagne from Paris with our (then)5 year old son. The journey took around 4-5 hours but he can move around in the cabin so it is much better than in a car. I tried once driving from Paris to Basel with kids (took us one whole day) and it was a disaster as they got restless in the car and we have to stop every now and then for toilets and meals (and mind you they got car sick and vomitted all over the rented car!).
Please support our advertisers:
eMom
20 yrs ago
By the way, with two young kids (a 6 yrs old and a 3 yrs old) i am also considering skiing in Club Med Sahoro during Chinese New Year. It is not the cheapest considering the number of days you can ski with a package of similar prices in France. However they seem to offer good winter activities for kids without the need to fly long haul (also having regard to the recent enhanced security measures on flights to/from Europe which have created a lot of hassles for travellers). Does anyone has any views on Sohoro Club Med or any suggestion on ski packages over CNY?
Please support our advertisers:
eMom, We went to ClubMed Sahoro 2 Christmas' ago, and we are going again this year. The accomodation is basic, nothing glamourous, but adequate. We (2 adults + 1 child) took the triple room (western) last time, but found out they have a Japanese with 2 bed and a tatami area, so we are going for that this time. If you have 2 kids, that would be the preferred choice. Food is ok if you are not expecting the 5-star buffets that hotels in HK serve. Lots of varieties and food choices.
You're right, prices are high, but we want to avoid the long haul to Europe or North America. As for the club itself, there are lots of activities for both adults and kids. If you are going at CNY, they are adding some new excursions this year outside of the club starting January.
The kids ski instructors are all very friendly and they all speak English. Kids ski school start at age 4, but you need to be 6 (I think) to go on the slopes. The younger kids get practice in the snow garden, which is just across from the outdoors hot tub, so you can sit in the hot tub with snow falling on your head and watch your child learn to ski. The adults instructors are excellent too. Those that we met have been teaching around the world, so are very well experienced.
Overall, we think the trip is worth the price tag, though it would be nice if it is cheaper! I suggest you book early, because when I went in to pay the balance this week, I heard the agents mention that the flights are filling up for CNY already.
Please support our advertisers:
hello,
I am french and since i am a child, I go skiing to a little ski resort called la Clusaz> It is a real village with imhabitants all over the year. This is a great place for children. Last year for Christmas holidays, there were plenty of activities for them. There is of course a sky school> You can find informations on La Clusaz website (there is an english version)http://www.laclusaz.com/
It is quite easy to go because you can come with airplane via Geneva or Annecy. You need one our car or bus to get to the resort from these 2 airports.
I know others French resort> I went skying to la Plagne, Meribel, Val Thorens, Tignes, Val d'Isere, Val cenis, Les Deux Alpes but for young children you'll find a better place in La Clusaz. And you'll find good food too.
Enjoy your holidays
Please support our advertisers:
eMom
20 yrs ago
thx notaclue. Did you take the train from Sapporo airport or self-drive to the resort? Was the transit convenient and hassle free between airport and Sohoro?
Please support our advertisers:
eMom, We took a train from the airport for one stop, then transferred to the long haul. It took about 90 mins all together. The ride was not bad. ClubMed had a big coach waiting for us at Shintoku station, and the people were really friendly and helpful. The bus ride only took 15 minutes or so.
The only small hassle is the change of trains at Minami-Chitose (1 stop from the airport). Almost all of the time, the long haul comes on the same platform as the one from the airport, so you just get off one train, find your next car #, wait, and get on the next one. However, my friend who went last year had to lug their suitcases to another platform (no escalators - stairs only). They have a small kid, so they went and got someone from the station to help. I think you only get 10 minutes transit time, so it could be a bit tight if you need to move around with kids and suitcases. They were told that was because of repair works somewhere down the line.
Another friend went in the summer and they drove. But considering we don't read or speak Japanese, and we are not sure how the road conditions are when the snow comes down, we decided to go with the trains.
Hope this helps.
Please support our advertisers:
eMom
20 yrs ago
Notaclue. many thx. will bear that in mind.
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks very much for the stop-by in Sahoro.
Now, any experience/recommendations for Mont-Dore (Auvergne) much appreciated.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail