1/10 France – Chalet Begonia
La Rosière, Montvalezan
La Rosière’s motto, “The Resort where Children are Royalty,” gives you some idea of how family-friendly this snow-sure resort is, and the ski-to-the-door Chalet Begonia is in the center. Occupying the second floor of the building is where Esprit operates four chalet-apartments. Chalet Begonia has open-plan dining and lounge areas, a large stone fireplace, and a balcony with fab views over the Tarentaise Valley. There are three suites for families of four, with two sleeping areas, plus a sauna for parents. Esprit nannies offer daycare from 17 weeks old and a chaperone service to ski school (at extra charge), plus a free baby-listening/child patrol service from 7:30 pm – 11 pm.
2/10 France – Chalet La Bergerie
Val d’Isère
Treat your family to a stay in the gorgeous Chalet La Bergerie in Val d’Isère, part of the Le Chardon group. Enjoy levels of service beyond the average catered ski chalet, including tea and coffee served in bed and a private chauffeur. The site of an old shepherd’s hut dating back to the 17th century, Chalet La Bergerie is especially suited to families, with an extra interconnecting room. SNO can arrange the highest levels of childcare or ski school, and even arrange husky rides and sledding, to keep your children just as thrilled off the slopes.
3/10 France – L’Amara
Avoriaz, Morzine
Avoriaz is ideal for families – traffic-free and home to the excellent Village des Enfants, a ski/snowboard school for children aged three to 16, and the magnificent Aquariaz waterpark.
The south-facing five-star Pierre & Vacances residence has stunning views of the Morzine valley. Set high in the Portes du Soleil area, the ski-in, ski-out residence has underground parking, a heated indoor pool, paddling pool and spa – with outdoor hot tub, sauna, and treatment room.
The accommodations range from one- to five-bedroom apartments for four to 12 people, with the option of gourmet breakfast delivered each morning.
4/10 Switzerland – Chalet Milou
Verbier
This stunning chalet, sleeping 12 (+2), has two sitting rooms and a separate glassed-off TV mezzanine area – great for families who don’t want to be on top of each other. The quad bunk beds with separate curtains are bound to be a hit with all ages – as will the hot tub.
Chalet Milou is highly convenient – guests can ski back to within 500 ft of the chalet and walk just two minutes to join the piste above the Medran gondola in the morning. There is a 24-hour chauffeur service, too. The offering for children includes bespoke kids’ tea, homemade baby food, Childs Farm and Burt’s Bees toiletries, a nanny service and items from strollers and cots to cutlery and sippy cups.
5/10 France – Club Med
Valmorel
On the edge of the piste in family-friendly Valmorel, this traffic-free four-trident resort, built in 2012, is designed for families with children’s clubs for all ages. When you’re not out enjoying the wooded slopes of the massif du Cheval Noir, the resort offers luxury and comfort within its standard rooms, or luxury five-trident suites, many with magnificent views of Mont Blanc. There is a spa, concierge service and champagne served each evening.
6/10 Italy – Rascard Frantze
Champoluc
This über-cool chalet hotel, right beside the Pistone piste in the quiet, family-friendly Italian resort of Champoluc, is as cozy as it gets, and Ski 2 has a unique offering for families in resort, making it an ideal choice.
Ski 2 runs its own ski school in Champoluc, with full-supervision lesson packages for guests as young as four, as well as a English-speaking staffed nursery (the Ski 2 Penguin Club), where infants and younger children are cared for in a fun and safe environment. Private airport transfers are provided, with drinks and snacks for the whole family (including a bottle of bubbly for parents), welcome packs for kids and car seats.
7/10 France – Chalet La Clautre
Montgenevre
Right on the Italian border, the French resort of Montgenèvre is a sunny, snowy village ideal for families – with an excellent beginners’ area, children’s snow garden and Les Marmottes crèche for kids aged six months-plus. This six-bedroom ski-in, ski-out chalet is close to the lifts, with a large, comfy lounge. As well as full chalet board for adults, Zenith Holidays offers an early tea for children and can provide cots, highchairs, baby baths, changing mats, and tablets to lighten the load when travelling.
8/10 France – Chalet Baby Bear
Chamonix
Chamonix is the quintessential winter resort and this stunning, cozy chalet makes the perfect family base, sleeping six in three bedrooms, with a cinema room, sauna and outdoor hot tub.
A PlayStation, Sky TV, Netflix and WiFi are at the ready to keep the kids entertained, and Amazon Creek’s resort driver is on-hand to ferry little ones to ski school or for sledding trips – or just in and out of town. Take the option of a private chef and be fed like royalty, or stay in Chalet Baby Bear on a self-catering basis, and Amazon Creek staff will deliver fresh breads and pastries each morning.
9/10 Austria – Chalet Artemis
St Anton
Lech, Stuben and St Anton is Austria’s largest interconnected ski area. The new Chalet Artemis is a stunning lodge sleeping 12, with cinema, indoor pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub – as well as a private nanny on hand for children four months and older. Scott Dunn offers an après-ski service (on request) for guests who want to extend their time on the slopes, offering more informal suppers – without time-constraints – instead of traditional afternoon tea, and full evening tasting menus. Chalet Artemis is in the quiet Nasserein area of St Anton. It’s a five-minute drive to the main ski lift station, and 10 minute walk to St. Anton.
10/10 France – Moontain Hostel
Oz en Oisans
This stylish and contemporary hostel is set in the heart of the Alpe d’Huez grand domaine ski area. Oz en Oisans is a quiet outpost and ideally suited to families, with its Jardin des Neiges – an area dedicated to children aged two tosix, with a magic carpet, drag lift and playground. Moontain has a number of premium private rooms ideal for families, with two separate beds, a bunk bed and balcony. Facilities at the hostel include covered parking, laundry room, luggage storage, ski room, relaxation area with TV, terrace area, campfire and library. Moontain is just outside Grenoble.