Skiing in France with children – golden tips from an experienced mother

The first time my French partner suggested a ski vacation, I imagined white mountains, log cabins with a roaring fireplace, and delicious cheese fondue every evening. I never thought for a moment that it actually involved skiing, and that I would need to pack a lot more than just warm clothes and a cool hat.

When we arrived at the site, I took my skis and ski boots out of the car and felt ready for any route, and all I had to do was ski like in the movies. The next morning the ski instructor came to teach me how to ski. At the end of the lesson, the instructor said to me with uncharacteristic honesty, “Ma’am, I think maybe you should enjoy the site, the snow, and the atmosphere. Not everyone has to ski.”

By the time my son was old enough to start, I was an expert on ski resorts without skiing, the result of years of doing what the guide said. I had fun, I knew every corner of the ski resorts in France, but children at ski resorts are a completely different story – different preparations, different needs and more adapted sites. I decided to share with you all the tips and experience I have gained over the years. I have summarized the tips in three chapters: planning a ski vacation, things not to forget and how to behave during the vacation itself.

Hope these tips help you on your next vacation. Shall we get started?

Tips for planning a ski vacation in France

Before you choose a ski resort, here are some things to consider:

• Dates – The ski season in France starts in December and lasts until early April (depending on the snow). Try to avoid traveling in February – this is the month when the French go on winter vacation. Since each region in France leaves on slightly different dates, it may be worth going earlier or later. During the winter vacation, prices go up on websites, most hotels are booked, and there are lines and traffic jams everywhere. If you’ve ever stood in a traffic jam like this with the kids on the way to Mount Hermon, you probably know that it’s not really fun.
• Choosing a suitable site – Every ski resort in France has an English website, which lists all the services you will find there beyond shops, restaurants, cafes and ski equipment. It is worth checking out ski schools for children who speak English, trails for little ones and ski slopes. It is also worth looking into the option of a babysitter who can ski with the little ones, or perhaps build a snowman with them, while you ski.
• Choose a flight close to the ski resort – If you chose the French Alps in Val Thorens, for example, a flight to Geneva is more suitable than a flight to France.
• Choose only a recommended hotel – The hotels at ski resorts are diverse: some even have a heated pool and children's activities. If you are looking for a recommended hotel, you will be happy to know that I have collected all the hotels I liked the most and summarized them in this article. Recommended hotels in ski resorts in France.
• Car Rental – It is better to rent an SUV, but it is not mandatory. However, there are a few important points: First, do not drive without having taken snow chains, and it is worth asking the agent to demonstrate how to install them. Second, a car roof is very important if you have your own ski equipment, and even if you decide to visit another site, it is worth being able to attach the skis.
• Medical insurance – Order comprehensive insurance.

What is important to bring on a ski vacation?

Conditions at a ski resort are different than in a European city in winter, and your needs will differ accordingly. Here are some tips on what to bring:

• Buy a modular ski suit – Ski overalls are nice, until the kids need to pee. Mom’s tip: Buy a modular ski suit. Since you’re not skiing all day, you can use the top as a jacket without being obligated to pants. Kids don’t need a warm jacket, they need a ski jacket, a ski hat, matching gloves, glasses and preferably binoculars. If there’s a snowstorm at the site, you should be equipped. Add a scarf and long socks for them. Don’t overload the kids with clothes under their ski suits – it’s cumbersome. Basic thermal clothing is better.
• First aid kit – Every site has pharmacies, but we like what we know. Take with you cold and headache medicine, plasters, bandages, etc. The other things that are different from a regular trip – dry lipsticks (a must), creams with sun protection factors, and also a moisturizer for the body and face for the children and for you. And my most important tip – nose drops: BFrance They are not allowed to sell nose drops like the ones we sell here. You can get saline nasal drops at the pharmacy, which is useless. If you don't want to spend your time skiing with a stuffy nose, get yourself some ear drops.

Tips for your vacation

Have you reached the site? Want to start browsing? Wait a moment because I have a few more tips:

• parking – Ski resorts look like a lovely painting that attracts a huge number of visitors, but there are serious parking problems. Check with the hotel if it offers parking. If not, check the website to find a designated parking space.
• Family transit card – Through the hotel you can inquire about purchasing a daily or weekly family pass – as needed.
• A backpack for each child – Put equipment, a change of clothes, shoes, and snacks in it. The extreme cold and surfing make little ones hungry all the time. There are restaurants, but between meals and on the surf routes, it’s a good idea to keep snacks and water in each bag.
• Surfing routes – Children learn to surf much faster than adults. They look at experienced surfers on advanced routes and are confident that they can do it too. They can’t. Don’t let them set the course and don’t let them surf advanced routes alone.
• Mom, buy me something. – Shopping at a ski resort is fun. The stores are full of colorful ski equipment, souvenirs, clothes, shoes, and anything you could want – just at very high prices. If you haven’t bought ski clothes in Israel, it’s recommended to try to find the Decathlon on the way to the resort and shop there. Souvenirs are fun, but every kid who has been trained to ski will come back and explain how important it is to have branded clothing or branded binoculars. They don’t need them, and neither should you.
• Children who are less fond of skiing – There are also those who are less connected to the concept. They tried and didn't like it – it's not the end of the world. There are skateboarding tracks for different levels: you sit on the skateboard and glide – it's less scary and less complex.
• Nearby trips – In the triangle of sites above Geneva, you can go from site to site or go down to the town of Evian (the one from the water bottles), and travel for a whole day. Before you leave, check the weather forecast. If snowstorms are expected, give up on the trip. Also, try not to return in the dark.
• Ingredients – When you're in the city, this is a great opportunity to pop into a large supermarket and stock up on food and necessities at reasonable prices.
• Surfing package – If you decide to take a cellular package from the country, make sure it also covers the neighboring country. In many sites, the local company hosting the line can suddenly change. It is usually better to purchase eSIM.
• accessibility – If you are traveling with a disabled or special child, bring your disabled card from Israel with you – the one on the car and not the one you received from National Insurance. At many sites and places you can get priority. Check with children's ski schools to see if there is a specialist guide for special children. From my experience, there is one and he is very familiar with the subject and knows how to teach accordingly.

I hope I helped you plan and organize yourself properly for skiing. And one more small and personal thing from me – children are different from each other. Some find it easy to learn and manage to ski quickly, and some find it difficult. Don’t push them. True, you are skiing and it’s a shame they won’t ski, but don’t turn their vacation into a test that they must pass. There is so much more to do at a ski resort – you don’t have to ski. Let them find their own direction.

Enjoy!