Skiing with the family

We have been recommended La Plagne to go to ski in February but having looked online discover it is a region with loads of little villages.

Can any one recommend good catered chalet accomodation, suitable for kids and in which village?

Ideally we would like to ski in/ski out or be very close to lifts as have children (8 %26amp; 14) who have only skied/boarded once, would also like to be walking distance to a village/resort. My son would also like a snowboard park or somthing too!

Any advice gratefully received as confused by all the choices!

Thank you

Helen

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Hi,

I would certainly look at Valmorel.

The village was built in 1976 but is in keeping with alpine style (ie. no highrise nor concrete). It is a lovely little village, the main centre pedestrianised and safe for the kids. You are never more than a few minutes from the main Altispace lift if you stay near the village centre.

For beginners and intermediates it really is ideal. Plenty of choice and easy access to beginners areas should the kids need to refresh their skills. There is also the %26quot;Snow-Zone%26quot; for trick skiers and boarders.

It isn%26#39;t far from La Plagne and although isn%26#39;t a very high resort should have enough snow in February.

Not sure about catered chalet accommodation since this tends to be a very %26#39;British%26#39; thing in my experience and Valmorel tends to be mainly French, Dutch and a few Brits but there are loads of self catering apartments (look at Pierre %26amp; Vacances or the local estate agencies such as gsi.immobilier) and you can easily hire these for the week at great value. Or look at the Hotel du Bourg which is in the best location on the main pedestrianised street. These are all easy to find on the %26#39;net.

We all know how expensive it is to eat out in a ski resort, but in my opinion, Valmorel is better value than most. Quite a few restaurants to choose from and a few bars.

You never see many reviews about Valmorel, but it isn%26#39;t spoilt yet by hordes of drunken English. Many people do tend to ski there year after year (me included) and keep it to ourselves. It%26#39;s not heaving with people nor too quiet. It%26#39;s also very picturesque and very friendly with a great atmosphere. It%26#39;s really worth considering.

Hope this helps!

Jon

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Hi Jon

Thanks ever so much for the info, I shall start investigating.

Best wishes

Helen

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Anytime! Drop me a line if you need any further advice.

Jon

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A lot of accommodation in French resorts is self-catering apartments. You%26#39;re right that La Plagne is not a single resort - some bits of it are bigger than others though. Plagne Centre is where the main shops are and the focal point of the lift network. Plagne 1800 has more of a village feel and I think more catered chalets - not as many lifts straight out of the village but you can always hop on the free bus up to Centre. I would worry about the lack of altitude at Valmorel at any time of year. You could have a look at Vallandry and Plan Peisey, just across the valley from La Plagne - they%26#39;re part of the Les Arcs ski area but there%26#39;s also a cable car linking Plan Peisey to La Plagne, so yo can ski both areas (on the same lift pass). We stayed in Vallandry last Jan and loved it, great skiing (some of the best blues and reds in the whole of Les Arcs are on your doorstep) and it%26#39;s more low-rise and characterful than many purpose-built French resorts. Another alternative might be St Martin de Belleville - a proper French village but linked into the Three Valleys.

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Good Morning,

I have a young family and I have skied with Ski Beat for the past few years, they offer great catered chalet accommodation in a number of French resorts including La PLagne 1800.. they are very child friendly and depending on the age of your children - they offer a creche and afternoon care.. not sure what they will have availble for Feb cos they are very competitive prices, - but def. worth dropping them a line,

Hope that helps,

Laura

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