Affordable Family Skiing in the French Alps

If the idea of a family ski trip in the Alps brings to mind extravagant families in expensive ski attire, long lift queues, and eye-watering prices, worry not; it is indeed possible to enjoy skiing in the French Alps as a family on a budget.

Beyond the popular resorts, there are numerous lesser-known ski areas that are frequented by both locals and visiting families, providing ski passes and accommodation options that won’t break the bank. Here are three excellent choices for skiing and snowboarding families in the French Alps, each hosting beginner-friendly slopes and breathtaking scenery.

Val Cenis: A Family-Friendly Ski Area in the Savoie Region

Located within France’s first national park, Parc National de la Vanoise, the beautiful Haute Maurienne Vanoise ski valley is one of France’s hidden gems.

Families with young skiers will find Val Cenis a perfect base, with its charming villages of Lanslebourg-Mont-Cénis, rural Lanslevillard, and remote Bonneval (which caters to intermediate to advanced skiers). Val Cenis features multiple beginner-friendly slopes, including the longest continuous green piste in France and blue runs that wind down from 2800m.

Off the slopes, visitors can indulge in a delightful range of family-friendly restaurants—one standout option is the cozy Aux 2 Mousses. In the evenings, you’ll likely encounter an Alpine ibex rather than rowdy parties returning to their chalets.

For a unique off-piste experience in Val Cenis, try ice diving in Sollières-Sardières (only a short distance south)—a thrilling activity that entails diving into a frozen lake with scuba gear through a hole cut in the ice (available for those 12-years and older). For those seeking the full cold-water experience, skipping the suit and immediately hopping into a nearby sauna offers a great contrast!

Accommodation options in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise ski valley range from cozy self-catering chalets to modern apartments with shared pools (starting around €220 a night for a family of four). Train travel from London to Modane takes approximately nine hours, or flying into Grenoble, Chambéry, or Turin (Italy) is also an option.

Valloire: The Jewel of the Maurienne Resorts

Further west in the Savoie region, the picturesque village of Valloire centers around a historic 17th-century church and features a variety of restaurants offering traditional Savoyard cuisine—think cheesy fondue for children and herbal Génépi liqueur for adults. Additionally, there are plenty of family-friendly activities available, including bowling, zip lines, and astronomy workshops.

With most of Valloire’s 160km of skiable terrain situated above 2000m, families can expect excellent snow coverage, even early in the season. The long, winding green and blue runs make this resort ideal for families, while more advanced skiers will find numerous black runs and off-piste terrain available for exploration. Two ski schools operate throughout the season, providing excellent opportunities for novices to build their confidence on the slopes.

If visiting, be sure to align your trip with the enchanting International Snow Sculpture Contest—teams of talented artists create stunning snow and ice sculptures that are visible along the resort’s main street. These beautifully illuminated sculptures at night can truly enhance the magical atmosphere, and remember to participate by voting for the ‘people’s choice’ awards.

The snow train from London/Paris arrives in St Michel Valloire in the late afternoon, perfectly timed to settle into accommodation before dinner. Moreover, with Chambéry and Grenoble airports within roughly 90 minutes’ drive, Valloire is an excellent option for a long skiing or snowboarding weekend.

Les Gets: Accessible Family-Friendly Ski Resort

Located further north in the Portes du Soleil—the second-largest ski area in France—Les Gets is a resort showcasing a family-friendly formula with gentle slopes, mild weather, and captivating alpine scenery. This charming village, situated at 1172m, features traditional chalets adorned with timber eaves and carved balconies, while local restaurateurs serve up delightful pizzas and regional specialties such as raclette, a delicious melting cheese served beside a grill.

High-speed lifts, such as the Télécabine des Chavannes, make skiing easy for families with young ones, transporting skiers to 1485m in under 10 minutes. Upon arrival, families can step directly into a beginner zone, featuring a cable tow and ‘magic carpets’—slow conveyor belts perfect for smaller, inexperienced snow enthusiasts. As families progress, they can explore the nearby blue runs, or venture deeper into the resort, which tops out at Chamossiére (2002m).

Families will find a variety of activities and access to 120 snow-covered kilometers with the Morzine–Les Gets ski pass, while adventurous families can upgrade to the Portes du Soleil pass, which also offers access to various resorts across the Swiss border.

Many families traveling to Les Gets arrive via Geneva, typically opting for a transfer. However, to reduce both hassle and environmental impact, consider taking the train to Cluses followed by a taxi to the resort.