Family
La Plagne: An Ideal Ski Resort for Families
Where to go skiing with the family in the Alps: every parent who loves winter sports asks themselves this question when the first frosts arrive, or when they start craving some sunshine in the middle of December.
What’s the most important factor you shouldn’t compromise on when choosing your vacation destination? The quality of the ski area, of course! And La Plagne’s ski area perfectly meets the needs of families with children and teens:
- Modern, user-friendly lifts ( detachable chairlifts for easy boarding and disembarking, moving walkways, etc.)
- Wide slopes, mostly green or blue ( meaning gentle gradients), separated from the more challenging red and black runs by clear signage (in La Plagne, these are called “Coolski” areas… which, as the name suggests, let you ski at your own pace!)
- Fun zones to add a little excitement to your runs ( like the must-try Funslope, the longest fun run in Europe!)
- Ski passes tailored to the budgets of families on ski vacations ( such as the family pack, for example, or 4-hour or full-day passes), and even free lift rides for beginners
- Renownedski and snowboard schools to supervise your children in the kids’ park or on the slopes starting at age 3 (ESF – École du Ski Français, Oxygène, ELPRO, Évolution 2, New Generation, ESI…)
Family ski holidays without a snowman or snowball fight? Unthinkable!
That’s why the altitude of the resort where you plan to stay matters so much. And yes, it’s mathematics (not to mention meteorological): the higher you go, the more you maximize your chances of enjoying a snowy ski holiday…
The ski area of La Plagne extends from 1250 m to 3080 m. Snow cover is therefore guaranteed throughout the winter, from mid-December to the end of April. Of course, you'll need to gain altitude at the beginning and end of the season to enjoy the best snowflakes... But it's much easier to take a ski lift than to have to change your holiday destination at the last minute, in case you had bet on an unfortunate low or medium altitude resort in terms of snow cover during your reserved period.
Courses for adults or children
Practical and reassuring services for your family ski holidays
When going skiing with family, with young children, teenagers, or even a baby, it is reassuring to know that there will be resources available to deal with a bad cold or a lost pacifier. Book your holiday in La Plagne with peace of mind: medical offices and pharmacies are open 7 days a week (even though we certainly hope you won't need to set foot in them!).
La Plagne knows how to combine all the advantages of a large ski resort with the "village resort" spirit. Thus, you can stroll in the morning among the wooden and stone chalets (in Belle Plagne for example), and easily find a fondue or raclette machine to rent in the afternoon for your cheese evening. Or a cable to charge your phone (why do we always forget it at home?)…
All our creches, kids' clubs and daycare services
Family Ski Vacations: What Kind of Accommodations Should You Choose?
Of course, you may be one of those organizational whiz kids who prefer to handle every detail of your family’s ski trip from start to finish. In that case, we’ll let you browse through the list of accommodations in La Plagne and compare the best options (hotels, vacation resorts, real estate agencies, vacation villages, etc.).
Chances are, however, that—like all parents—you’re a bit short on time! Is that the case for you? You have two options:
- Let the vacation advisors at La Plagne Resort—La Plagne’s official travel agency— handle the planning for you (selection of accommodations that meet your needs, ski passes for the whole family, snow sports lessons, and more)
- Compare all-inclusive ski vacation packages from La Plagne’sholiday clubs and resorts (accommodations, ski passes, equipment rentals, ski lessons, children’s activities, daycare for babies and toddlers, dining, wellness facilities, private pools, theme nights, and more)
Either way, you’ll save time and money thanks to the expert advice from destination specialists who will guide you through the entire process of booking your family ski vacation.
What budget should you plan for your family ski vacation in La Plagne?
The question is not so much about what budget you need to plan, but what budget you want to dedicate to your family ski trip (and what are the "musts" you absolutely refuse to go without!).
Here are a few details to keep in mind when booking your ski vacation:
- The price of accommodations changes throughout the winter season. The Christmas holidays and winter break are among the most sought-after periods, and therefore are when the highest prices are observed. Spring break is comparatively less expensive (and just as reliable in terms of snowfall thanks to the altitude). Are you going on a ski vacation with a baby or a preschooler? What if you went outside of school holidays? ! January is one of the most affordable times, just like March. Bonus: you can even afford to book at the last minute to take advantage of the last-minute rates offered by many accommodations.
- Another factor to consider: the type of accommodation. In La Plagne, you have a choice! 4-star hotel with a spa, high-end tourist residence with a private pool, traditional chalet for large families, apartment decorated in a mountain or contemporary style, cozy guest room, holiday village for club atmosphere enthusiasts… You will definitely find the right fit for you – or rather, accommodation that suits your budget!
- The weekly ski pass, if it remains the best seller today, is not the only option available to you. Don't plan to ski every day during your family stay? Choose a 4-hour pass or a day pass to enjoy the slopes on the sunniest day or days, and dedicate the rest of your "snow" budget to other off-ski activities loved by children (dog sledding, zip-lining, pony sledding, ice skating…). On the other hand, do you already know that parents and children will spend almost the entire stay on skis? Choose the family pack, a 6 or 8-day pass here allows you to benefit from a nice discount starting from 4 packages purchased (two children's packages and two adult packages). Good to know as well: the ski package is free for children under 5 years old, and some beginner-friendly ski lifts are free for everyone!
- Although all-inclusive offers may sometimes seem unclear to some, they often allow for substantial savings. Not convinced? Do the exercise: add up the cost of equivalent accommodation, ski passes for the whole family, equipment rental, ski lessons, and even meals and childcare if your inquiry concerns a stay in a holiday village. You will find that theall-inclusive family ski holiday offers are very attractive (not to mention the time saved on organizing the vacation).
A wide variety of non-skiing activities that your children and teens will love
Gone are the days when people went on ski vacations just to ski! Hitting the slopes is great… but the mountains in winter have so much more to offer. Between runs, enjoy some family activities together, and watch your children grow and gain confidence winter after winter.
Among kids’ favorite winter sports are, of course, sledding ( which can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace or more competitively) andice skating! Another must-try that animal lovers ages 2 and up will love: dog sledding (or its equestrian version:pony sledding).
Are your kids and teens the daring type? Do they love a thrill? Try the zip line together (ages 3 and up, 10–12 years old, 20 kg depending on the course), or even the bobsled raft (for those 1.30 m and taller / 4 people aboard a self-guided, self-braking raft on the legendary bobsled track from the 1992 Winter Olympics!). Thrills guaranteed.
On vacation with a baby? Many walking trails are stroller-friendly, so you can enjoy a variety of outdoor walks throughout your ski trip.
Children & family activities
Two of the eleven villages of La Plagne, Montchavin-les-Coches and Montalbert, are labeled Famille Plus. This national label created in 2006 is based on 6 major commitments of labeled tourist destinations towards families:
- Welcoming families in a personalized way
- Organizing activities for families (for example, Winter Family Race)
- Offering rates adapted to age groups (for example, in La Plagne, children ski for free until the day before their 5th birthday, then benefit from a reduced ski pass rate from ages 5 to 12)
- Set up activities for everyone, together or separately (in La Plagne, you can leave your children for a few hours at the ski schools, for example; or on the contrary, share a fun activity like dog sledding)
- Make shops and services easily accessible
- Pamper the children from the beginning to the end of the stay
Have you booked accommodation in another village in La Plagne? No worries! Indeed, Plagne Centre or Belle Plagne (for example) are not labeled Family Plus; but the entire destination of La Plagne is informally committed to providing the best welcome for families with babies, children, or teenagers.
3 "express" tips for an ultra-easy family ski trip
- Book early! Christmas holidays, winter holidays, and spring break are the most popular times for families. The more time passes, the fewer options there are. Booking early ensures that you can get your hands on the ski-in, ski-out apartment of your dreams, perfectly equipped and fully renovated. You might even be able to book it at an unbeatable rate thanks to early booking offers! In addition to accommodation, we also recommend booking certain activities that are important to you. Dog sledding, for example, is often fully booked several weeks before the start of the school holidays... Don't take the risk of disappointing your little one to whom you promised that lovely outing!
- Lighten your bags: rent the sliding equipment for the whole family on-site, as well as the children's sleds, the all-terrain stroller for the little one…Are you worried about increasing the overall cost of your family ski trip by renting your sliding equipment? Think again: children grow up so fast (even if you wish they would stay small…) that you might find yourself having to buy skis and boots again by the following winter. Another argument in favor of renting equipment (besides the obvious environmental concern) is that the whole family will enjoy the latest technological innovations from major manufacturers every winter to have even more fun on the slopes!
- Delegate everything you can delegate! Family ski vacations are a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your children, far away from the constraints of daily life. Don't hesitate to get rid of as many practical and logistical questions as possible... Don't feel like cooking? Treat yourself to a restaurant (or have pizzas delivered). Worried about losing patience while teaching your children their first snowplow turns? Ski instructors are there for that. Need some time alone with your partner? Leave your tribe in the care of the activity leaders at the holiday village where you are staying. In short: simplify your life!
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