Activities for families in Chamonix

Kids universally love to have fun in the snow, and are warmly welcomed at Chalet La Foret - here's a rundown of the family friendly features of the chalet.
France in general is a very child-friendly place and you'll find families welcomed at all restaurants in Chamonix.
Activity holidays are brilliant for families with older children or teenagers who love the exhilaration of the mountains, and there's loads for younger children to enjoy.

Chamonix ski passes and other tickets for families

Kids under 4 get their ski pass free, and there's discount on all passes up to the age of 15. The Family pass has been much improved this year - when the parents buy 2 adult passes, there's a 50% discount on the adult price for the first child's pass, and any more children in the same family go free. (Don't forget to bring proof of this e.g. passports). Tobogganing is fun to do at some of the learner slopes, at the Paradis Des Praz and at the tobogganing area near the cross country ski foyer, not far from the chalet.

Chamonix ski schools

The ski schools have plenty of English speaking pupils so it's easy for kids to make friends. There are plenty of ski schools in the area - here are links to some of them:
The British Alpine Ski School
ESF - The Ecole Ski Francais
Evolution 2
All of these have English speaking instructors available. It's a very good idea to reserve the lessons in advance, especially during peak season, as they do get booked up.
For a large family, or two families holidaying together, it's often worth thinking about a private instructor for the group, which needn't cost much more and can be a very rewarding way to learn.

Ski areas for families

Chalet La Foret is a short walk (mostly along a quiet and pretty forest road) to the Flegere lift, which gives access to sunny south facing slopes. The Trappe chairlift is a great place for those just graduating from the learner slopes - two green runs with lovely views. There's also a series of pleasant easy blues over to Brevent (to Planpraz). N.B. There is a red run on the way back, so descend via Brevent if not confident on reds.
Other areas particularly good for families are Le Tour, with its long, wide blue runs and the gentler, tree-lined pistes of Les Houches, which also hosts the Les Houches Kid's Contest in early March which is great fun.

For very small children and babies

Chamonix town is at relatively low altitude (around 1200m at Les Praz), so it's suitable for babies - but you should take the ascent to Chamonix slowly to give the pressure in their ears time to equalise. The Chamonix Tourist Office has a list of babysitters if you'd like a break!
It's generally recommended that kids start skiing at about 3 or 4 - depending on the individual child. The ESF Panda Club, in Argentiere at the base of the Lognan lift, has loads of fun activities, inflatables and ski lessons for kids over three, and always have English speaking staff available. From 5-7 they can start snowboard lessons here too.

Other winter activities

The Paradis Des Praz is a lovely place for younger children. Just a pleasant 20 minute walk from the chalet, the kids can toboggan on inflatable "snow-rafts" through the forest, whilst the adults enjoy a Vin Chaud. There are lovely walks weaving through the snowy trees all around here, and it's close to the cross-country trails which are great for all the family to enjoy, and run just a few minutes away from the chalet.
The Tree Adventures are always a hit - suggested for kids from 4-9, there's a circuit of tree activities such as rope bridges. Kids are attached at all times by a harness, so it's very safe. In winter, it's done with snowshoes and they have an evening option with fondue.
The ice rink is open daily:
Saturday and Sunday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm
Monday to Friday from 10am to 12noon, and then from 1.30pm to 4.30pm
There are often ice hockey matches in the evenings, too.
The swimming pool is always popular with its spiral waterslide. Entry to the pool and the ice rink is free for kids under five.
Evolution 2 can also organise snowshoeing, hot air balloon rides, or for an unforgettable treat, try a day's husky sledging - details of all these here.
More information and suggestions for non-skiing activities for all the family on our "off the slopes" page - helicopters, mountain railways and more....