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Our Top 5 Recommended Resorts in the French Alps for Families
Our Top 5 Recommended Resorts in the French Alps for Families
Introduction:
The French Alps are a magical destination for families, offering a perfect combination of adventure, calmness, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Whether you are looking to buy a chalet in a year-round resort or a high-altitude bolt-hole for short weekend trips the French Alps will have a resort for you. Choosing the best resort for your family can be overwhelming. Therefore, we have compiled a list of the top five family-friendly resorts in the French Alps. In this list, we will explore what makes these destinations perfect for families and what sort of property you might find there.
When selecting a family-friendly resort in the French Alps, there are several critical factors to consider to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for you and your loved ones:
1. Location: It's essential to choose a resort close to international airports to minimise travel time and fatigue, especially when travelling with children.
2. Accessibility: Hassle-free stay is ensured by easy access to the pistes and convenient parking options.
3. Amenities: Look for resorts that offer family-friendly amenities, ensuring that both adults and children have access to everything they need.
4. Activities: A variety of both winter and summer activities should be available to keep the family entertained throughout the year.
5. Price: Prices vary dramatically in the French Alps. Resorts such as Val d’Isere and Courchevel continue to set new records. There are however plenty of more affordable destinations where a new ski property may be more attainable than you think.
Let's explore our choice of the top 5 family-friendly resorts in the French Alps.
Alpe d'Huez, also known as the "Island of the Sun," has recently been awarded the "Famille Plus" certification, which makes it one of the most family-friendly resorts in France. The closest international airports are Grenoble Alpes-Isère Airport, which is about 1.5 hours away, and Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, which is roughly a 2-hour drive, making it a convenient choice for families flying in from various parts of the world.
Alpe d'Huez voted the Best European Ski Resort 2020, boasts over 250km of ski trails and a remarkable network of 67 lifts. Adults can enjoy endless skiing opportunities, while children can learn to ski with the help of English-speaking instructors who make the learning process fun and enjoyable.
Alpe d'Huez offers a year-round experience, with enjoyable activities available in both summer and winter seasons. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the hiking trails, which cater to all levels of difficulty. Families can explore adventure parks, engage in outdoor sports, and participate in educational experiences, ensuring that kids of all ages will have plenty of entertainment options.
If you're looking to invest in a property in Alpe d'Huez, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of options to choose from. The property prices in Alpe d'Huez vary and can cater to a range of budgets, making it easy for you to find a property that suits your budget.
Offering a variety of ski-in ski-out homes and amenities geared towards families, Alpe d’Huez has to be at the top of the list if you are looking to buy a high-altitude property that all the family will enjoy.
“The Pearl of Mount Blanc” is an excellent choice for families with plenty of spacious chalets and apartments available for sale. With affordable property prices starting from 6,000 euro / m2 and easy access from Geneva Airport, Combloux opens up the opportunity to live in paradise in the French Alps.
Combloux is ideal for beginners with slopes like La Cry to build your confidence and many ski schools so you can ensure your children learn in a safe environment. The Piou Piou Club is particularly popular among toddlers, providing them with a playful introduction to skiing.
Additionally, the town hosts a variety of winter events, making the winter season full of action and excitement. For those who prefer more leisurely activities, there are also ice rinks available for the little ones to enjoy.
Combloux is a great place to spend summer, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful Combloux Biotope Lake while admiring the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. This family-friendly village offers an abundance of sports and activities, as well as nearby attractions to explore.
Chatel is easily accessible from major European cities as it's located near the French-Swiss border. International travellers can quickly reach the nearest airport in Geneva, which is just a 90-minute drive away.
Chatel is a part of the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area that provides direct access to more than 600km of ski runs. The resort is well known for its strong family values, dedicated children's areas, a carousel, and an aquatic centre that entertains all ages.
Chatel's ski schools are highly respected for their excellent children's programs. These programs include magic carpet lifts and fun courses that are specifically designed to help kids build their confidence and skills in the snow. The Super-Châtel area has smooth and wide runs that are perfect for families. It offers a combination of beautiful routes and gentle slopes where children can learn and play safely.
Chatel presents an opportunity to experience a different side of alpine living, one that focuses on relaxation, natural beauty, and authentic mountain culture. New-build chalets can be found from EUR 1.7m and apartments from about EUR 350,000. If you are a family, you might prefer the area of 'Petit Chatel,' which is just outside the centre.
Les Gets is a charming village located just over an hour away from Geneva. Les Gets neighbours nearby resorts like Morzine and Chatel, making it a part of the large Portes du Soleil ski area. It is highly regarded for its family-friendly atmosphere and is ideal for young skiers. The resort features a dedicated children's ski area called Le Grand Cry, a themed area for children with teepees and animal structures!
The resort takes pride in organising events and animations that are suitable for families, such as torchlight descents, fireworks, and various competitions and festivals throughout the season. The village atmosphere is welcoming and safe, with a strong sense of community and a focus on providing a great experience for visitors of all ages.
Les Gets is not only a buzzing winter destination but also a popular place to visit during the summer season. The place transforms into a playground for kids with various fun activities such as mountain biking, road biking, horse riding, tennis, swimming, and white-water sports.
This resort is perfect for families looking to purchase a second home. Most of the properties in this area are close to the ski slopes, and there are even some rare ski-in ski-out apartments and chalets available. The prices for properties in Les Gets start at around €450,000, with chalets reaching up to €4,000,000.
La Toussuire, a high-altitude ski resort popular among French families, has remained relatively unknown to foreign skiers and property investors. This resort is located only a little over an hour away from Grenoble Airport and was created in 2003, making it one of the newest ski regions in the French Alps!
As part of the larger Les Sybelles ski area, its compact size makes it easy for families to navigate. The resort is a popular destination for French families who value the uncrowded pistes, affordable mountain restaurants, and limited lift queues.
The ski schools in La Toussuire are known for their personal approach, offering lessons that cater to children's individual needs and ensuring they have a great time on the slopes.
The resort is home to several green and blue runs that are wide and gently sloping, perfect for families skiing together. The "Lutins" run is particularly popular among kids for its fun features and easy access.
La Toussuire has a pedestrianised centre to make it safe for children to roam and various après-ski activities including a fun park and a bowling alley. La Toussuire may not be as bustling as other French resorts during the summer season, but it offers a variety of activities that are aimed at keeping children entertained. This makes it an ideal destination for families who wish to avoid the crowds that are usually associated with other French resorts during the summer season.
Advantages of the Five Resorts
Here is a summary of the advantages of our top 5 recommended family resorts in the French Alps:
Alpe d’Huez:
- Family-friendly resort with ‘Famille Plus’ certificate
- Close to international airports
- High-altitude apartments and chalets
Combloux:
- Easy access to Geneva
- Affordable property prices
- Beginner friendly slopes
Chatel:
- Over 600km of ski runs
- Highly regarded ski schools
- Year-round rental income for your ski property
Les Gets:
- Good selection of property for sale
- Popular summer destination
- Family orientated resort
Les Toussuire:
- Quieter and less crowded resort
- High altitude with great snow cover for longer ski season
- Good capital appreciation potential
Conclusion:
Choosing the right ski resort in which to invest can seem like a minefield. These resorts each offer unique charms, a good selection of chalets and apartments for sale, outstanding facilities, and slopes that cater to families and children of all ages and abilities.
Are you ready to find your family's dream Alpine retreat? Contact Alpine Property Finders for expert advice on purchasing your ideal mountain property. Let us help you navigate the market and secure your slice of paradise in the French Alps.
