If you’re taking your teenage children on a winter ski holiday to Europe, you’d better be sure that the resort you’ve chosen comes up to their stringent standards! Joking aside, with teens more than any other age group, it’s vital that the resort has the right amount of age appropriate attractions and activities to challenge, excite and provide a generous helping of fun.
La Plagne, in the famed Paradiski region of the French Tarantaise Valley, ticks all the teenage boxes and is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts on offer. With some excellent ski schools, as well as some fabulous extra-curricular activities, this is one place your teens will be able to keep their fingers firmly on the fun button.
Ski Lessons – Not Just for Beginners
ESF La Plagne (Ecole du Ski Francais) is part of the long-established ski school brand that’s been teaching people to ski for decades. Their 180 skilled instructors are second to none in terms of expertise and experience and, for teens, there are plenty of options – no matter whether they’re nervous newbies or confident speed demons.
As well as the safe, fun beginners’ courses, some of the other courses for teens include:
Teens Class 3 Lessons:
Suitable for competent skiers who want to get to the next level of style and technique. (Group lessons start at €162.50 for five mornings.)
Teen Snowboard Special: Suitable for beginners and experienced boarders, teens will work on improving (or establishing!) their techniques and turns on a variety of different terrains. (Groups start at €175 for six afternoons or mornings.)
Teen Slalom Course:
If your teens feel the need, the need for speed, set them up on an adrenalin-filled slalom course. Instructors will teach them what’s needed to excel in this exciting winter sport and set them achievable goals to improve their race skills. As much fun as they can handle! (Courses start at €315 for six days.)
Teenager Freestyle:
Hang, on. Did someone mention fun? Designed especially for teenage skiers, the Freestyle Internship combines learning all the skills on the snow with a dose of acrobatics thrown in. Fully supervised and fully sick (as your kids might say!), this course is the ultimate in winter thrills and kids go away with not only a sense of accomplishment, but some pretty good stories to boot. (For 14+. Courses start at €315 for six days.)
Located: ESF La Plagne Centre, Place de la Cheminée. Tel : +33 4 79 09 00 40
All Day Fun at Junior’s Club Med
Another great option for teens to spend the entire day away from their parents and then the entire evening talking about it, is the fabulous Juniors’ Club Med.
Suitable for teens from 11-17, they can choose from a huge range of sports, activities and events, all under the supervision of their appointed G.Os (qualified youth group leaders) and professional instructors.
Activities and sports teens can choose from include:
- Alpine skiing
- Snowboarding
- Multi snow sports
- Art shows
- Crazy sign making
- Films
- Theatre shows
- Musical entertainment
- Craft workshops
Juniors’ Club Med is open every day except Sunday to guests of the Club Med resort. Contact them for details of family holiday packages and membership to the kids’ club.
Off Piste and On Point!
Of course, even teens might get tired of skiing or snowboarding over the course of a week, so the fact that there are plenty of other great activities is a bonus. As well as bowling, a cinema and fitness centres, there are some more unusual pursuits. If you hear the dreaded words, “I’m bored”, here’s your answer…
Igloo experience:
Spend a night in a real life igloo in the La Plagne Igloo Village. A fantastic family bonding adventure, the igloos sleep five comfortably and, yes, very warmly. Magic under the winter stars.
Husky-dog rides:
Guide your own team of huskies on a thrilling ride across the snow – and older teens can take charge for the thrill of a lifetime. With full instructions and a team of experienced dogs, this is the most enjoyable way to see the countryside and a great story for their mates back home.
Ice-climbing:
Another fantastic family friendly activity for both beginners and more experienced, the 24m ice tower is a great place to get to grips with this chilly sport. Lots of energy required!
Other activities your teens can try include:
- Sledging
- Superluge
- Indoor climbing
- Geocaching
- Cross country skiing
- Much more!
If you’ve got teenagers and you think this is beginning to sound like the perfect resort for your next family winter holiday, you’re right. If you need a little more information, this article that introduces you to the wider Paradiski area will clinch the deal. Bon voyage!
How to Get to La Plagne
Travelling with teenagers doesn’t have to be difficult when you’re holidaying in La Plagne. With an excellent range of budget flights from the UK (starting at around £44 with British Airways or easyJet), you’ll have the choice of flying into Chambery, Grenoble or Geneva airports. The flight will take, on average, just 90 minutes, which means you won’t have to deal with restless or uncomfortable teens.
When you land at the airport of your choice, the fastest, most convenient and stress free way of getting the kids and any ski equipment to the resort is with a shared or private Shuttle Direct transfer service. Getting from Geneva to La Plagne, for instance, will take around three hours. It’s an extremely picturesque journey, however, so you can distract teenagers with the outstanding selfie opportunities on the drive!
If you want to make the journey to the resort part of the holiday, you can travel overland by rail. EuroStar to Paris will connect you with high-speed trains to Geneva and then on to Aime, which is the closest station to the resort. You can pre-book a Shuttle Direct transfer to meet you at the train station and transport you and the family the rest of the short distance to the resort.
Where to Stay
Le Vancouver – With a ski-in ski-out location to blue runs and within 500 metres of the lifts, Le Vancouver offers a lovely traditional chalet style décor with balconies and views over the slopes. Teens will love the free Wi-Fi and bar with pool tables, while parents can relax with a drink by the open fireplace. With large family rooms, a relaxation centre with hot tub, sauna and hammam, and even walking distance to ski schools, let the holiday begin!
Chalet les Mélèzes – With a fantastic central location, Chalet les Mélèzes offers cosy, comfortable family accommodation just 200 metres from the ski lift. Mum and Dad can relax after a day on the slopes on the sun terrace or with a sauna, while teenagers can enjoy table tennis, billiards and the free Wi-Fi. Winning all round for a family ski holiday.
Sun Valley Residence – The spacious family apartments of Sun Valley Residence are situated right on the piste and within easy access of the town centre and ski lifts. While the teens can enjoy a dip in the indoor heated pool after a day on the slopes, parents can relax with a hammam or hot tub and a drink in the onsite bar/restaurant. With free Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast and so close to the ski action, this is the way to keep the entire family happy.
About Shuttle Direct
For all your onward travel arrangements throughout Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct is the number one most trusted provider of fixed price shared and private transfer services. Make a booking via our user-friendly online system and you’ll be met at the airport, train station or cruise port of your choice and transported swiftly and safely to your final destination. Fast, friendly and always cost-efficient, you’re in safe hands with Shuttle Direct.
