Family Christmas Vacations: Everything You Should Know About Skiing In The Alps

November 13, 2017

A snowy holiday is best for Christmas time both for kids and adults. If you think a skiing holiday with little kids will be a nightmare, you should clear that assumption straight away. For an alternative Christmas than you would have back at home, spending the holidays in the French Alps is an excellent choice for families. There are some great services you can find in the Alps especially for groups and families with young children. You can have a real white Christmas and everything you have ever dreamed of for that perfect Christmas break.

Why Skiing At Christmas?

If you love the traditional idea of Christmas with all the trimmings, a Ski resort can give you a home from home environment. Booking one of these family skiing holidays will give you an authentic Christmas in the Alps. You get everything you hope for in a family Christmas, warm open fires, snowy scenery, beautiful decorations, and even a visit from Father Christmas. The best thing is you do not have to organize it yourself!

A Christmas ski break is great, because you can sit back, relax, and enjoy an amazing family Christmas without having to do any of the hard work. No moaning discussions about who is going to do the washing up or forgetting the stuffing or cranberry sauce. The whole day is taken care of. With all the spare time you have you can burn off the over indulgence by spending plenty of time on the slopes.

For children the French Alps are probably the winter paradise they have always dreamed of. The snow covered mountains are great for so many activities such as sledding, snow play, skiing, and snowboarding to keep them entertained all day long. Whether you decide to spend your time skiing, hiking, or just relaxing it is the perfect Christmas destination within these beautiful mountains.

Where To Stay During Christmas In The Alps?

Christmas is a magical time wherever you stay in the French Alps, but there are a few places that shine through more than others as great places for a family Christmas holiday. Here are some examples of the best resorts to spend Christmas week in the French Alps:

Les Gets

This gorgeous Alpine town changes into a village of twinkling Christmas lights in the winter months. A Christmas in Les Gets is a truly magical experience, especially for the children. This village is home to the Enchanted Forest where Father Christmas and his elves are working hard to make toys and presents for the little ones. If you stay during Christmas week you can take a guided tour of Santa’s home and workshop and meet the big guy himself! Tour operators and Chalet staff understand how important your holiday break is and pull out all the stops at Christmas. You will find immaculately decorated Chalets, a special Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, and best of all you do not have to lift a finger, everything is taken care of. Les Gets is always an excellent choice for a family ski holiday, but at Christmas it transforms into a winter wonderland.

Chamonix

Of course, Chamonix is popular resort at any time of the year, this place is a well-known family ski destination. At Christmas time the place really comes alive with a brilliant Christmas village. At the village market, you will find small wooden chalets, which sell local produce including sweets, spices, teas, cheeses, and array of Christmas gifts. You will not go hungry either, as there are also many stalls selling festive food and drinks. The whole ten days of the Christmas period you can enjoy shows, parades, and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Santa, of course, makes an appearance with his reindeers and other helpers like fairies and elves. Chamonix offers a range of activities for families of all ages, even more so at Christmas time. The place gets busy during this popular season, so it is best to book early to get the best deal.

La Plange

If you have children who are new to skiing, then La Plange is excellent choice for beginners. With some great ski schools, the kids can enjoy some lessons, while you take to the slopes too. The town is a pretty picturesque destination that lights up at Christmas time. If you imagine an Alpine village at Christmas, La Plange will probably fit that image. There are Christmas lights and decorations everywhere, as well as live music and carols at every corner. If you want to keep the kids entertained, then you are in luck as there are plenty of activities for the little ones to try. There is also a Christmas market in town and Christmas Mass services held on Christmas Eve in the little church in town. You will not miss out on Skiing on Christmas day, as the ski lifts operate all day. Enjoy a Christmas morning ski before and work up your appetite for that fabulous Christmas dinner.

The Three Valleys

There are a few different villages to choose from in this area depending on how peaceful or close to the action you wish to be. The center is Les Menuires and this destination has the best Christmas experience for children. The streets are lined with decorated Christmas trees and twinkling lights; a real winter wonderland experience. During Christmas week there are shows and entertainment, carol concerts, and Christmas crafts like making gingerbread houses and decoration making. Something you will not see anywhere else is the unique arrival of Santa and his elves to the village on Christmas. They put on a show by skiing down the pistes into the village holding flaming torches to light the way. The dramatic entrance is then followed by fireworks and celebrations with music and local drinks.

Tignes

Although, this resort is large and modern you can still enjoy a holiday atmosphere and families. Christmas in Tignes officially starts at the beginning of December when the lights are switched on and decorations are strewn throughout the resort. During the Christmas lights switch there are celebrations to mark the beginning of the festive season. You will find vin chaud, hot chocolate, and lots of music and fun. Throughout December up until Christmas there are lots of different events and activities including Christmas concerts, festive markets, and live music throughout town. On Christmas Day everyone can enjoy skiing, as the lifts are open all day and some think it is a tradition to dress up as Santa whilst skiing too!

What about the Swiss Alps?

The Swiss alps are just as popular as France with just as many snow sure resorts! Zermatt, Verbier, Gstaad, Saas Fee, and Klosters are the Swiss Versions of Les Gets, Chamonix, La Plange, The Three Valleys, and Tignes. Christmas in any Swiss Ski resort will be one you will never forget! It is not worth noting that there really are not that many differences between the popular ski resorts throughout Europe and this is because the local councils have millions of euros and franks pumped into their economy through lift passes allowing them to keep the ski areas in excellent condition. From the Swiss resorts, we recommend renting a luxury catered chalet in Verbier with Tempston Luxury.

Would You Like To Spend A Family Christmas In The Alps?

After reading this why would you not want to spend a snowy Christmas skiing and enjoying the beautiful Alpine scenery? It sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a traditional Christmas in a setting, which looks like its straight off a Christmas card.

With plenty of activities to enjoy, Christmas markets to explore, and the option of having all your meals cooked for you including Christmas dinner, you can have the best Christmas ever without having to do all the hard work! Which resort would you choose for your family Christmas break in the Alps?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

One thought on “Family Christmas Vacations: Everything You Should Know About Skiing In The Alps

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *