Not only were Peak Retreats voted Best Family Ski Operator at the Family Traveller Awards 2018, they won The Times Travel Editor’s Award last year too. Well-deserved accolades for a business that focuses on family ski holidays at lovely resorts across the French Alps which mostly haven’t made it on to the radar of UK skiers, yet.
Peak Retreats also specialise in self-catering luxury apartments, handpicked and tried and tested for family friendliness by their team of experts. Many are parents themselves so they know exactly where your priorities lie. They understand the importance of space to spread out, wind down and spend time together. And they never forget fun stuff like indoor pools for kids or soothing spas for grown ups.
But the perfect ski holiday isn’t just about skiing, which is why the Peak Retreats team are celebrating every aspect of winter ski holidays this season by encouraging families to experience different activities in their Winning at Winter Challenge for 2019/2020. The aim is to try something new and exciting and here are Peak Retreats’ recommendations for resorts where you can do just that, all winter long.
1/5 Les Carroz – take the first time ski-jump challenge
If it’s time for kids be a bit more ski-adventurous, Peak Retreats highly recommend Les Carroz this winter. Not only is the ski village packed with traditional Alpine charm, it’s home to the Oasis Fun Zone where modified ski jumps are designed to build kids’ skills and confidence in complete safety – good news for even the most non-helicopter of parents. Speed Experience is another thriller made safe for younger skiers. And for the 2019/20 season, this incredibly family-friendly resort now has the Speed Dragoz Mountain Coaster for virtual reality excitement off the slopes.
Why families pick Peak Retreats at Les Carroz
- Part of the enormous Grand Massif ski area with links to Flaine and Samoëns.
- One of the closest resorts to Geneva Airport – one hour, 40 minutes flying time from UK.
- Kids’ ski lessons start from age three at the ESF Ski School.
- Les Carroz has 20 restaurants, seven bars, a twin-screen cinema and heated outdoor swimming pool.
- Families can try anything from fat biking and snow mobiles to dog sledding or tobogganing.
Where to stay
Right at the foot of the slopes, next door to the ski-school office and 10 minutes walk from the village centre, Les Chalets de Jouvence couldn’t have a better spot in Les Carroz. Plus, the residence has a cosy communal lounge area with open fire, and comes with an indoor swimming pool, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms.
- Luxury 4-star residence 50m from ski-lifts in Les Carroz.
- Choice of one to four bedroom self-catering apartments sleeping up to 10 guests.
- Indoor heated pool, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and fitness room.
- Access to Ȏ des Cîmes Spa Centre.
- Close to ESF ski school and Piou Piou Ski Kindergarten meeting point.
Take a closer look at Les Chalets de Jouvence family apartments in Les Carroz
Find out more about family ski holidays in Les Carroz with Peak Retreats
2/5 Vaujany – take the family sledging challenge
Never underestimate the power of sledging; kids love the sensation, no experience or lessons are required and it’s a great all-together-now family activity. Something delightfully pretty Vaujany has clearly realised as it now has two dedicated sledging slopes – one of them starts at a dizzying altitude of 2025m, reached by the Alpette cable car. On the skiing side, this Famille Plus resort in Isère is linked to L’Alpe d’Huez. And off the slopes, there’s everything from Olympic size ice rinks and four-lane bowling alleys to indoor pools, waterslides and a 500m² spa complex.
Why families pick Peak Retreats at Vaujany
- Peaceful mountain resort with a coveted Famille Plus label.
- Local ESF ski school for three to 13 year olds.
- Le Pole Enfance supervised kids club for 6 months to 11 years.
- Small ski village with excellent cable car network, linked to L’Alpe d’Huez.
- One hour’s drive east of Grenoble Airport – one hour, 35 minutes flying time from UK.
Where to stay
Four-star Residence Le Saphir is brand new for 2019/20 and its range of spacious one and two bedroom apartments are ideal for families and, at just 70m from cable cars, pretty perfect for serious skiers too.
- New 4-star residence in the centre of Vaujany, 70m from cable cars.
- One and two bedroom self-catering apartments sleep up to eight guests.
- All apartments have private balconies or terraces with mountain views.
- Free WIFI, parking and ski-lockers, plus baby equipment for hire.
- Exclusive residence of just 18 apartments.
Take a closer look at Residence Le Saphir in Vaujany
Find out more about family ski holidays in Vaujany with Peak Retreats
3/5 La Rosière – take the fabulous fun track challenge
La Rosière is almost right on the Italian border, at the heart of Haute Tarentaise and holds the highest official Famille Plus Montagne award. It’s also south facing and super sunny, with an excellent snow record and the only Savoyard resort with direct access to the 160km Espace San Bernardo ski area. It’s a lovely resort for kids, with magical forests, excellent nursery slopes and two fun-tracks themed with the resort’s mascot – a St. Bernard dog, of course – and packed with challenges like bells to ring, ski tunnels and speedy banked sections.
Why families pick Peak Retreats at La Rosière
- Charming, authentic mountain ski village with Famille Plus Montagne award.
- One hour, 30 minutes from Chambery Airport – UK flights from one hour, 40 minutes.
- ESF Ski School for kids from ages three to 13 years.
- Superb childcare include Les Galopins Creche for kids from three months to three years.
- Legendary local ice hockey team, Les Tigres Blancs, weekly matches are famous for fantastic family atmosphere.
Where to stay
Recently built Les Cimes Blanches has a very luxurious take on family ski holidays. Not only are the self-catering apartments thoughtfully designed with traditional architectural features, the residence itself has an indoor pool, spa, saunas, steam room and hot tubs, as well as private underground parking and the free resort shuttle bus to the centre of La Rosière stops just outside.
- Choice of one to five bedroom apartments sleeping up to 12 guests.
- Close to ski slopes, ESF meeting point, chair lifts, shops and restaurants.
- Residence lounge with open log fire and pool table.
- All apartments have a TV, WIFI and private balconies.
- Access to Ȏ des Cîmes Spa Centre and free resort shuttle bus stop to La Rosière centre just outside.
Take a closer look at Les Cimes Blanches in La Rosière
Find out more about family ski holidays in La Rosière with Peak Retreats
4/5 Samoëns – take the great family ski-lift challenge
If this winter’s family challenge is to try as many types of ski lift as possible, Samoëns has that covered with draglifts, chair lifts, magic carpets and even fast access to the Grand Massif Express Gondola. Links to the Grand Massif ski area makes this a great choice for experts and beginners. But Samoëns gentle atmosphere, historic architecture, cafés and shops make it plenty interesting for non-skiers too.
Why families pick Peak Retreats at Samoëns
- Links to the enormous Grand Massif ski area means excellent skiing with few queues.
- An hour’s drive from Geneva Airport – UK flights from one hour, 40 minutes.
- ESF Ski School for ages three to 12 years.
- Les Loupiets kindergarten for kids from three to six years.
- Family activities include everything from tobogganing to dog sledding.
Where to stay
With its balance of Savoyard traditions and Peak Retreats’ luxury, La Reine des Prés is made for families. It’s also only five minutes walk from the centre of Samoëns, close to the Grand Massif Express and gives you the choice of one, two, three and four bedroom self-catering apartments, sleeping up to 10 guests.
- Four-star luxury residence with private heated swimming pool.
- Range of one to four bedroom apartments sleeping between two to 10 guests.
- Access to Ȏ des Cîmes Spa Centre, laundry room, ski lockers and heated boot racks.
- WIFI, parking and residence lounge with open log fire.
- Five minutes walk from resort centre, close to Grand Massif Express gondola.
Take a closer look at La Reine des Prés in Samoëns
Find out more about family ski holidays in Samoëns with Peak Retreats
5/5 Le Grand Bornand – take the fabulous French mountain food challenge
Introducing kids to new tastes is all part of the experience of Le Grand Bornand, one of the best preserved and prettiest Savoyard mountain villages and almost as well known for its wonderful cooking as glorious views. It’s the birthplace of Reblochon, the famous cheese essential to authentic tartiflette (cheese, bacon, onion and potato, what’s not to love?). And if you want to work up an appetite you’ll be pleased to know skiing across the Aravis -Annecy Mountains is another remarkable local speciality.
Why families pick Peak Retreats at Le Grand Bornand
- Picturesque mountain village famous for traditional Savoyard cooking.
- 210km of slopes across the Aravis-Annecy Mountains ski area.
- An hour’s drive from Geneva Airport – UK flights from one hour, 40 minutes.
- ESF Ski School from ages three to 12 years, snowboarding from age 10.
- Ice Garden ice rink for kids from three to 10 years, good snow sports for older kids and teens.
Where to stay
Four-star Le Village de Lessy is minutes from slopes, many of its self-catering luxury apartments have exceptional mountain views and the residence includes an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, spa and cosy lounge with an open log fire.
- Choice of one to four bedroom self-catering apartments sleeping up to 10 guests.
- Indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and access to Ȏ des Cîmes Spa Centre.
- 400m from Floria chairlift to ski slopes.
- Directly opposite local tourist office and ski school.
- Unique architecture with interconnected lifts between chalets.
Take a closer look at Le Village de Lessy in Le Grand Bornand
Find out more about family ski holidays in Le Grand Bornand with Peak Retreats
Peak Retreats family ski holidays include a Eurotunnel crossing with a free FlexiPlus upgrade on most dates, which means you simply turn up and board the next available shuttle, and you have access to the FlexiPlus Lounge too for free coffee, macarons and snacks.
Ready to book a family winter ski holiday with award winning experts? Take a look at what Peak Retreats highly recommend for 2019/2020 or call 023 9283 9310 and talk to one of the team, tell them what you want and they’ll arrange everything from travel and accommodation to ski schools and lift passes.