1. La Tania, France
Need to know: Peaceful, very good value, purpose-built resort with nursery ski slopes and gentle sledging at village level. Attached to the Three Valleys location, off-duty parents can get in some good ski time, but as it's also beneath the tree line, on-duty parents can take the kids on activities such as forest strolls.
Good for: Anybody uneasy about altitude. La Tania is one of the lowest resorts at no more than 1,350m high. And at under 600 miles from Calais, you can drive there from the United kingdom.
Added bonus: Geneva international airport has a great nursery - useful in the case of flight delays.
2. Flaine, France
Essential Info: Purpose-built, car-free and architect-designed within the 1960s. All from the pistes lead back towards the same nursery slopes, and so suitable for a group of mixed ability as everybody can regroup in between laps. The nursery ski slopes are nicely kitted out, and the primary slopes have something for everybody, from cruising ski slopes to challenging black runs, and very easily accessible off-piste in between the runs.
Good for: A quiet holiday break. The traditional chalet-loving French aren't large admirers of the architecture, so Flaine could be less noisy than you'd probably expect in the village and on the pistes.
Bonus: It's 1 from the closest resorts to Geneva, which usually makes for an easier-than-usual airport transfer.
3. Mayrhofen, Austria
Need to know: At 630m, Mayrhofen is low but has three amazing gondolas which whisk you up towards the slopes on either side from the valley. Novices will appreciate the gentle ski slopes of the Ahorn mountain. The other mountain, Penken, is excellent for intermediates, with a variety of red runs, and a valley known as Tappenalm, dotted with good cafes.
Good for: Getting to by road or train from budget-airline-friendly Salzburg and Munich. As soon as in town, there is a variety of decently priced hotels, and grocery stores for self-caterers or picnic fans. The cafes and coffee shops will keep a non-skiing parent or grandparent entertained, too.
Added bonus: Aspiring freestyle skiers or snowboarders will really like the park at the best of Tappenalm.
4. Avoriaz, France
Essential Info: Purpose-built, car-free and constructed high up on the cliffs, Avoriaz is attached towards the gigantic Portes du Soleil area and boasts 650km of piste, half in France and half in Switzerland. Accommodation is primarily self-catered apartments in ski-in, ski-out blocks run by big tour operators.
Good for: A family keen to try some more advanced skiing. Good black runs and difficult reds in Portes du Soleil, for the piste-lovers - 3 snowparks in Avoriaz for freestylers. Those searching for off-piste will find tree runs, powder bowls and cliff drops.
Added bonus: Great for beginners, too, with plenty of space for the first-timer. And also the resort is so compact, you are able to send the children out to get the morning croissants.
5. Cervinia, Italy
Need to know: This vacation resort is more than the Italian side from the Matterhorn (or Cervino, in Italian). The high, sunny, snow-sure pistes are laid out over a valley head - broad runs that all lead back down to the village. The area links up with the pistes of Zermatt at the top, making a massive 350km of runs.
Great for: Hearty Italian food which won't break the bank at the mountain restaurants in attractive chalets (try the Chalet Etoile), and lots of good pizza joints, in addition to some goodies like the Baita Cretaz restaurant - only accessible by skidoo once the lifts are closed.
Added bonus: Runs all remain broad, comfortable plus regular right to the base. And also the town is compact enough to let older kids go looking at the shops on their own.
Need to know: Peaceful, very good value, purpose-built resort with nursery ski slopes and gentle sledging at village level. Attached to the Three Valleys location, off-duty parents can get in some good ski time, but as it's also beneath the tree line, on-duty parents can take the kids on activities such as forest strolls.
Good for: Anybody uneasy about altitude. La Tania is one of the lowest resorts at no more than 1,350m high. And at under 600 miles from Calais, you can drive there from the United kingdom.
Added bonus: Geneva international airport has a great nursery - useful in the case of flight delays.
2. Flaine, France
Essential Info: Purpose-built, car-free and architect-designed within the 1960s. All from the pistes lead back towards the same nursery slopes, and so suitable for a group of mixed ability as everybody can regroup in between laps. The nursery ski slopes are nicely kitted out, and the primary slopes have something for everybody, from cruising ski slopes to challenging black runs, and very easily accessible off-piste in between the runs.
Good for: A quiet holiday break. The traditional chalet-loving French aren't large admirers of the architecture, so Flaine could be less noisy than you'd probably expect in the village and on the pistes.
Bonus: It's 1 from the closest resorts to Geneva, which usually makes for an easier-than-usual airport transfer.
3. Mayrhofen, Austria
Need to know: At 630m, Mayrhofen is low but has three amazing gondolas which whisk you up towards the slopes on either side from the valley. Novices will appreciate the gentle ski slopes of the Ahorn mountain. The other mountain, Penken, is excellent for intermediates, with a variety of red runs, and a valley known as Tappenalm, dotted with good cafes.
Good for: Getting to by road or train from budget-airline-friendly Salzburg and Munich. As soon as in town, there is a variety of decently priced hotels, and grocery stores for self-caterers or picnic fans. The cafes and coffee shops will keep a non-skiing parent or grandparent entertained, too.
Added bonus: Aspiring freestyle skiers or snowboarders will really like the park at the best of Tappenalm.
4. Avoriaz, France
Essential Info: Purpose-built, car-free and constructed high up on the cliffs, Avoriaz is attached towards the gigantic Portes du Soleil area and boasts 650km of piste, half in France and half in Switzerland. Accommodation is primarily self-catered apartments in ski-in, ski-out blocks run by big tour operators.
Good for: A family keen to try some more advanced skiing. Good black runs and difficult reds in Portes du Soleil, for the piste-lovers - 3 snowparks in Avoriaz for freestylers. Those searching for off-piste will find tree runs, powder bowls and cliff drops.
Added bonus: Great for beginners, too, with plenty of space for the first-timer. And also the resort is so compact, you are able to send the children out to get the morning croissants.
5. Cervinia, Italy
Need to know: This vacation resort is more than the Italian side from the Matterhorn (or Cervino, in Italian). The high, sunny, snow-sure pistes are laid out over a valley head - broad runs that all lead back down to the village. The area links up with the pistes of Zermatt at the top, making a massive 350km of runs.
Great for: Hearty Italian food which won't break the bank at the mountain restaurants in attractive chalets (try the Chalet Etoile), and lots of good pizza joints, in addition to some goodies like the Baita Cretaz restaurant - only accessible by skidoo once the lifts are closed.
Added bonus: Runs all remain broad, comfortable plus regular right to the base. And also the town is compact enough to let older kids go looking at the shops on their own.
About the Author:
This article has been written by the author, Alex Blaken. Should you require any more Snowboarding Resorts please visit his Ski Slopes resources!
No comments:
Post a Comment