Understandably, when you first venture out of the winter sun-type of post-Christmas holiday, skiing is the first thing that comes to mind. Although many people find the challenge exciting, if you are a family with fairly young children and a limited budget, a ski holiday is probably way out of your comfort zone.
Nevertheless, it can be a lot of fun to learn how to ski as a family, and the little ones always have a blast putting on the snowsuits and skis and venturing down the nursery slopes while you also try to keep upright. Flaine, in France, is the perfect resort if you are adventurous enough to take the plunge. Perfectly suited for families, it is a compact resort with children-friendly accommodation and a good variety of ski schools so both parents and children can learn the ropes.
La Souris Verte – École de Ski Internationale
This renowned ski school offers friendly, instructive classes for children aged between 3 and 5 years old. Children will be guided by qualified ski instructors so they can learn the basic skills whilst having fun inside the school’s Snow Garden. This area has slopes that have been made suitable for this age range and are fully protected from the rest of the resort’s pistes.
The first few lessons will always take place within the Snow Garden, but once children have acquired confidence and basic knowledge, they will move on to the beginner track. Every lesson is adapted to the group’s specific capabilities and the weather, and is supplemented with non-skiing activities, such as sledding and building snowmen, so that the children can take break from the skis.
Schedule
All the lessons last three hours and take place on six consecutive days, from Sunday to Friday.
Prices
Six lessons cost 170€ per child. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Stages Adults – École de Ski Internationale
The same ski school offering the lessons explained above for young children has adult classes available too. The École de Ski Internationale has the wonderful ethos of allowing you to progress at your own pace so you can find the joy in skiing. They limit groups to nine students per instructor, so you can get the most out of the experience and won’t be afraid of asking questions.
If you have never skied before, your instructor will make sure that you feel confident in what you’re doing before asking you to take the next step and you will never be left behind. For the first few days, it is a great idea not to buy lift passes, as your instructor will take you to the free beginner sector which has three green slopes.
Schedule
All the lessons last three hours and take place on six consecutive days, from Sunday to Friday.
Prices
Six lessons cost only 150€ per adult. Booking is according to current availability.
SCM Moniteurs Indépendants
If you would rather have private ski tuition for the whole family, so you can mount the learning curve together, SCM Moniteurs Indépendants is the answer. They offer tailor-made private skiing lessons in English and are happy to teach children from three years upwards. Not only will they help you learn the basics, but whomever you get out of three lovely instructors will do their best to ensure you are having a good time on the slopes.
Lessons range from two hours to four hours, and can be booked with start times between 09:00h and 15:00h according to the length of the lesson.
Prices
One lesson for 4 to 6 people costs: 120€ for 2 hours; 180€ for 3 hours; 230€ for 4 hours; and 400€ for a full day.
For the same amount of people, five 2-hour lessons are 580€ and five 3-hour lessons are 870€.
Recommended read: Once you’ve really got the hang of this ski thing, why not register for next year’s Engadin Ski Marathon!
How to Get to Flaine
If you are flying from London, Geneva Airport is the most convenient in order to reach Flaine as quickly as possible. London-Geneva flights (and vice versa) last a short 1 hour and 35 minutes, so even if you are travelling with young children you should be able to keep them entertained from departure to landing. Average prices with budget airlines start at around £65 return per person.
Especially when you are travelling with small children, trying to arrange a taxi upon arrival can be a huge headache. A way to save yourself the stress is by pre-booking competitively-priced Geneva airport transfers, which will drop you off at the resort in just 1 hour and 20 minutes and will easily fit in all your luggage.
Where to Stay:
Refuge Auberge Haute Combe – Only 1.8 miles away from Flaine and budget-friendly, this rustic refuge has spacious rooms that will fit your whole family and serves a varied, child-friendly continental breakfast every morning. Moreover, the refuge’s host will be happy to drive you to the slopes in the morning if you ask in advance.
La Ferme d’Emilienne – A bit further away from Flaine but still within easy reach, this quaint B&B offers beautiful views of the Mont Blanc from every room. Homemade breakfast is offered every morning, and the warm, just-out-of-the-oven bread and cakes are bound to be a hit with the children.
Le Chalet Vue Mont-Blanc – Situated in the nearby resort of Sallanches, this apartment is perfect for bigger families. It has a fully-furnished kitchen with oven and dishwasher so you can make your own meals. If you’re in a rush to get to the slopes in the morning, however, a quick breakfast can be served for you upon request.
