Planning your first family ski holiday in Savoie
Key takeaways
- A resort with the Famille Plus label makes things easier for beginners and young children.
- ESF lessons follow a medal-based progression, from the Club Piou-Piou to the first stars.
- Equipment (helmet, ski suit, goggles) is easy to rent near the lifts.
- A lift pass costs from €50 per day per person in the Alps, excluding accommodation.
- Staying in Landry, between Les Arcs and La Plagne, cuts travel time to the slopes.
A first family trip to the snow calls for careful organisation: choosing the right resort, booking lessons at the right time, sorting out the children's equipment and setting a budget.
Your first family ski holiday needs to be prepared in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises on site. Here are the key pointers for a successful stay, from our campsite in Savoie, on the doorstep of Les Arcs and La Plagne.
Choosing the right resort and level for a first ski trip
The choice of resort determines the success of a first family ski trip.
Resorts with the Famille Plus label commit to 6 criteria designed for children from 18 months, according to France Montagnes: a personalised welcome, activities suited to all ages, age-adjusted prices, activities to enjoy together or separately, accessible shops and services, and staff trained to welcome toddlers.
Around Landry, access to Les Arcs (15 minutes away) and La Plagne (20 minutes away) gives you two ski areas renowned for their beginner zones, without sleeping at altitude. Peisey-Vallandry completes the offer with a quieter ski area, popular with families discovering the mountains.
Staying lower down, in a mobile home rental in Savoie, offers a good compromise between a controlled budget and quick access to the slopes via local shuttles. The separate bedrooms of a mobile home also make evenings easier with tired young children.
Good to know: between Landry and the lifts, it is best to leave 10 minutes before ESF lessons start, usually around 9 am. Shuttles to Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry serve several stops around the campsite, so you avoid hunting for a parking space in the resort on busy mornings.
Children's ski lessons with the ESF: step-by-step progress
Entrusting ski lessons to professional instructors remains the most relaxed option for a first family ski holiday.
The ESF groups children by age and level, with a simple aim: to progress while having fun, without tension between parents and children on the slopes.
From what age can a child join ski lessons?
The ESF Club Piou-Piou welcomes children from 2 to 4 years old, with characters and games that get them used to the snow before any technical learning.
More structured lessons then start at around 4 or 5, when the child can stand steadily and is happy to follow a group.
Progression levels, from Piou-Piou to the stars
ESF progression is organised in levels, marked by medals earned over the weeks:
- The Club Piou-Piou welcomes children aged 2 to 4 for play and discovering the snow.
- The Ourson medal validates the first turns and keeping balance in the snowplough position.
- The Flocon marks the move to more controlled turns and greater speed.
- The stars, from the 1st to the Gold Star, introduce parallel turns, moguls and slalom.
- Group lessons bring children together by level rather than age, over a full week.
Equipment and budget to prepare your stay
A first family ski trip requires specific equipment, which is often easier to rent than to buy for children who grow quickly.
As for the budget, it is easier to control by anticipating each expense rather than discovering it on site, as with most holidays in Savoie.
Essential equipment for skiing as a family
Before you leave, check this list of essential equipment for children discovering the snow:
- Rent ski boots and a helmet in the child's size, adjusted every season.
- Pack breathable thermal underwear to wear under the ski suit.
- Choose waterproof gloves or mittens, with a spare pair in the bag.
- Protect the eyes with UV-filtering goggles, even in overcast weather.
- Apply high-factor sun cream, including on cloudy days.
How much does a family ski holiday cost?
A family ski holiday costs from €50 per day per person for the lift pass alone in the Alps, compared with sometimes lower prices in other mountain ranges, according to Le Guide ANCV.
Booking a beginner or multi-day pass rather than a full ski area pass also keeps costs down in the first years, while the children gain confidence on the slopes.
How to organise your stay day by day as a family?
Organising your stay day by day as a family means alternating mornings of lessons with freer afternoons, to save the children's energy and avoid end-of-day tension.
Camping L’Eden de la Vanoise, in Landry in the Alps, has a heated indoor pool open all year: a real asset for a winter campsite, and quite rare in the mountains.
The games room and playground also keep children busy, while a parent working remotely makes use of the coworking space. On rest days, the Voie Verte cycle path along the Isère is perfect for a bike ride, and the Vanoise National Park, the first national park created in France, starts just a few kilometres away.
Planning a first snow holiday with your children? Book your mobile home at Camping L’Eden de la Vanoise, in Landry, for quick access to Les Arcs and La Plagne!
Sources
- France Montagnes, Famille Plus label: https://www.france-montagnes.com/label/famille-plus
- ESF, children's alpine skiing: https://www.esf.net/tests-et-etoiles/ski-alpin-enfants/
- Le Guide ANCV, affordable ski holidays: https://leguide.ancv.com/inspiration/vacances-au-ski-pas-cher
Frequently asked questions
What budget should you plan for a first family ski holiday?
The budget for a first family ski holiday varies depending on the resort and accommodation chosen. A lift pass costs from €50 per day per person in the Alps, according to Le Guide ANCV. By staying in a mobile home rather than a resort apartment, accommodation costs drop significantly, as do travel times to the slopes.
Should you book ESF lessons in advance?
Yes, booking ESF lessons in advance is recommended, especially during the school holidays when groups fill up quickly. You can register online or directly at the instructors' office, choosing a level suited to the child's age, from the Club Piou-Piou to the stars.
From what age can a child start skiing?
A child can start skiing from 2 to 4 years old, in the Club Piou-Piou run by the ESF. Learning is based on play and discovering the snow, before the first medals (Ourson, Flocon) that validate the basics of balance and braking.
Is sledging an alternative to skiing for a young child?
Yes, sledging is a fun alternative for a child who is too young for ski lessons. It lets the family enjoy the snow without any technical constraints, on dedicated runs or snowy areas near the accommodation, before a possible introduction to skiing in the following years.
Can you rent all your ski equipment on site?
Yes, skis, boots, helmets and poles are easy to rent in sports shops near the lifts or in the resort. Booking your rental online before you leave often gets you a better price and avoids queuing at the counter on the first day of your stay.
How long does a typical week of ESF lessons last?
A typical week of ESF lessons includes 6 sessions, from Monday to Saturday, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours a day depending on age and level. This leaves free time in the afternoons for family activities away from the slopes.
