The short answer: Book for February (weeks 7 to 8) when snow depth reaches 150 to 200 cm at altitude. Prices start from €650 pp per week (self-catered, lift pass, lessons). Slope temperatures average -2°C to +4°C. Fly to Geneva in 1 hour 45 minutes from London, or to Lyon in 1 hour 55 minutes. Resorts sit between 1,800 m and 3,300 m altitude.
Which French Alps resorts are best suited for families with young children?
The most family-friendly French Alps resorts combine dedicated beginner areas, short transfer times from the airport, and a good ratio of blue and green runs. Les Gets and Morzine in the Portes du Soleil are consistently ranked at the top for families because the village centres are mostly flat, the ski school meeting points are close to accommodation, and the domain contains over 200 km of marked runs across all levels.
Avoriaz sits at 1,800 m, is car-free, and connects directly into the Portes du Soleil circuit, making it ideal when travelling with pushchairs or toddlers on sleds. La Plagne at 2,050 m offers a snow-sure season from December through April and has a dedicated children's village called Loisirs. Les Menuires in the Trois Vallées is one of the more affordable gateways to 600 km of connected skiing.
| Resort | Altitude (m) | Green/Blue runs (km) | Transfer from Geneva | Avg. Feb lift pass 6 days (adult, €) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Gets | 1,172 to 2,002 | 120 | 1 h 15 min | 210 |
| Avoriaz | 1,800 to 2,466 | 140 | 1 h 30 min | 238 |
| La Plagne | 1,250 to 3,250 | 130 | 2 h 00 min | 242 |
| Les Menuires | 1,850 to 3,230 | 160 | 2 h 15 min | 228 |
| Megève | 1,113 to 2,350 | 110 | 1 h 00 min | 215 |
Megève deserves a special mention for families who prefer a village atmosphere with good restaurants and clear mountain views rather than pure ski mileage. It has the shortest transfer time from Geneva airport at around 60 minutes.
What does a family ski holiday in the French Alps realistically cost?
Transparency on price helps you compare destinations fairly. The table below breaks down a typical one-week trip for a family of four (two adults, two children aged 6 and 9) staying in a self-catered two-bedroom apartment in a mid-range resort such as Les Gets in February 2027.
| Cost item | Adults (2x) | Children (2x) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights (London Gatwick to Geneva) | €160 pp | €140 pp | €600 |
| Airport transfer (shared shuttle) | €28 pp | €22 pp | €100 |
| Self-catered apartment (7 nights) | €1,050 | ||
| Lift pass 6 days | €210 pp | €155 pp | €730 |
| Group ski school 6 days | €190 pp | €160 pp | €700 |
| Ski hire (skis, boots, helmet) | €130 pp | €95 pp | €450 |
| Total | €3,630 |
Per person that works out to approximately €908, though children under 5 ski free on lift passes in most Portes du Soleil resorts and under-12 discounts are widely available. Booking flights before October and accommodation directly through resort tourist offices rather than package aggregators typically saves 10 to 15 percent.
Food costs depend heavily on your approach. A weekly supermarket shop for self-catered breakfasts and four evening meals runs around €180 to €220 for four people. Lunching on the mountain in a restaurant adds roughly €20 to €28 per adult and €12 to €16 per child per day.
When should you book and what snow conditions can you expect?
The French Alps season reliably opens across higher resorts from late November and closes in mid-April. For families, the optimal booking window is between January and early April in terms of snow reliability and daylight hours.
Snow depth by resort altitude in a typical year:
| Month | 1,200 m (village) | 2,000 m (mid-mountain) | 2,800 m (high alpine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 30 to 60 cm | 80 to 120 cm | 120 to 160 cm |
| January | 40 to 80 cm | 110 to 150 cm | 160 to 220 cm |
| February | 50 to 90 cm | 130 to 180 cm | 180 to 260 cm |
| March | 30 to 70 cm | 100 to 160 cm | 160 to 240 cm |
February half-term (UK) and the French school holidays in February fall in weeks 7 and 8, which means resorts are busy and prices peak. Expect lift pass queues of 5 to 15 minutes at popular resorts. Booking early January or the first week of March avoids the peak crowds while snow quality remains high. March brings stronger sunshine, with midday temperatures on south-facing slopes reaching +6°C, which children generally find more comfortable.
All resorts above 2,000 m have snowmaking infrastructure covering at least 20 percent of their marked runs, providing a reliable base even in low-snow winters.
For more destinations and ski holiday inspiration, explore the full wintersport overview on Nivosola.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to take kids skiing in the French Alps?
February school holidays (week 7 and 8) offer the best combination of reliable snow cover and mild temperatures of around -2°C to +4°C on the slopes. Snow depth in the higher resorts typically reaches 150 to 200 cm by mid-February.
From what age can children take ski lessons in the French Alps?
Most French ski schools (ESF) accept children from age 3 in dedicated snow garden programmes. From age 5, children can join group lessons on beginner slopes and progress to blue runs within a week.
What does a family ski holiday in the French Alps cost on average?
Budget roughly €650 to €950 per person per week for a self-catered apartment, a 6-day lift pass, and daily group ski lessons. Flights from the UK to Geneva or Lyon add approximately €80 to €180 per person return.
