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Posts Tagged ‘alps’
Pierre Vacances: Top Ten Family Ski Destinations
If you’d rather swap the drizzle and Brussels sprouts for a festive family ski holiday adventure, why not take your children to the beautiful French Alps?
We’ve rounded up ten of the best family friendly ski resorts in France with some top deals for comfortable self-catering ski holiday apartments that won’t break the bank.
Most of the featured apartments in these resorts are also ski in ski out locations – perfect for little ones, and a White Christmas is guaranteed!
1.Avoriaz
One of the biggest, most beautiful and innovative ski areas in the world, the bustling resort of Avoriaz also boasts pristine eco credentials. This car-free ski heaven is home to ‘Le Stash’ – Europe’s first environmentally friendly snow park, and the fabulous Children’s Village, created by top skier Annie Famose, who is also a mum who understands the demands of kids on holiday. There is also a skating rink, a fully equipped sports centre, and sleigh rides to get you in the Christmas spirit!
December deals
Studios are available at the Residence Maeva Balcons de Soleil from 378 Euros per week from 20th December. Each studio sleeps four.
2.Les Arcs
Overlooked by Mont Blanc and next to the Vanoise National Park, the Les Arc ski area is also car-free and easy to navigate, making it a great choice if you’re taking your first ski trip with young children. A bowling alley is close by, as is a spa if you manage to secure an afternoon away from the slopes.
December deals
One of the best family-friendly self-catering apartments in Les Arcs, Residence Pierre & Vacances Le Belmont has four-person studios, from 940 Euros for seven nights, from the 19th December. Little ones love the onsite kids play area, there’s a wide choice of games to borrow, and the property has a library, too.
3.La Plagne
Comprising a network of ski villages, La Plagne is well-connected until midnight by an excellent system of lifts and buses. The ski area is an intermediates paradise with long reds and blues to explore making it a great choice for more experienced skiers and families with snow-mad teenagers. There’s an excellent ski school and crèche, too.
December deals
A popular self-catering apartment in La Plagne, The Residences MGM Les Hauts Bois has one-bedroom apartments (for up to six people) for seven nights for 1550 Euros, from 20th December. The residence also has a food shopping delivery and bakery services.
Ideally located for some of the best 3 Valley pistes, Les Menuires is not only very child-friendly but offers free ski passes for children under five. There are plenty of ski schools for beginners, and a magnificent snow castle for the little ones to play in once they’ve tired of the slopes. Highlights for older children include snow mobiling and husky dog sledding.
December deals
Residence Pierre Vacances Aconit offers one-bedroom apartments for families of four, for seven nights from 19th December. Prices start from 949.97 Euros. Recently renovated, this residence now features a great new swimming pool and ice rink.
5. Flaine
Nestled in the heart of a natural, tree-lined bowl, Flaine is a modern, car-free resort with fabulous views of Mont Blanc. The highlights for children include a go-karting track, indoor pool and climbing wall, while parents with an eye for art will love the monumental works by Picasso and Dubuffet on display in resort.
December deals
Residence La Foret residence offers seven nights in apartments that cater for up to five from 550 Euros, from 13th December.
6.Valmorel
Frozen waterfalls, horse -drawn sleigh rides and an igloo village are among the highlights of the magical resort of Valmorel. Surround by rustic residences, this picture-postcard resort looks like Disneyland in the snow!
December deals
The comfy Pierre Vacances Valmorel Athamante & Valeriane has seven nights in four-person studios from 621 Euros, from 20th December. The residence is baby-friendly, and has a toboggan run just for kids.
A fun, relaxed resort, Alpe d’Huez caters for both experts and novices. The designated ‘slow zone’ is perfect for any first timer, or mini-skier. Attractions include igloos, glacier tours, snow mobiling, and a sports centre with ice rink and heated indoor pool.
December deals
Residence Maeva Les Melezes has seven nights in studio cabins for families of four for 430 Euros, from 20th December. The ‘Les Eterlous’ children’s village is nearby.
8. Courchevel
Ice karting, snow mobiling, snow rafting and tobogganing are just a few of the attractions to keep active kids entertained. Courcheval is a great choice for skiers of all levels and offers excellent crèche facilities and ski schools. There’s also the Olympic ice rink and a cinema.
December deals
Courchevel 1850 – Chalets du Forum, is right at the foot of the slopes, and offers easy access one-bedroom apartments (which sleep 5) from 1970 Euros for seven nights from 20th December.
A network of charming villages and hamlets, the resort of Serre Chevalier has a lovely tree-lined ski area. Families love its peaceful, traditional atmosphere but there’s also plenty to appeal to young thrill-seekers. Horse and carriage rides, and snow scooter trips are among the highlights.
December deals
Residence Pierre Vacances L’Alpaga has seven nights in four-person studios from 630 Euros, from 20th December. Baby-friendly apartments are also available.
10.Vars
Older children and teenagers have a ball in Vars. This action-packed resort offers snow bikes, ‘seal skin’ hikes, tobogganing, and helicopter flights, as well as a host of treats for grown-ups, including saunas, spa treatments and Turkish baths.
December deals
Residence Pierre Vacances L’Albane has four-person studios available for seven nights from 690 Euros, from 20th December.
Click on the links at the side of the page for more information or visit our website here: PV-Holidays.com
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PV-Holidays: Ten Hot Tips for Ski Beginners
When you’re still struggling to find your ski legs, looking cool on the slopes can be a tough act. Follow our handy hints for absolute beginners….
Getting on ski lifts
1. Negotiating ski lifts, especially draglifts or chair lifts, can be tricky. Get a friend or an instructor to help you practice at quiet periods. First thing in the morning while others sleep off their hangovers is usually a good time.
Sun-cream for skiing?
2. Use sun block to avoid odd looking “panda eyes” or extreme tan lines around your goggles.
3. Do an idiot check before you leave your chalet. Gloves – goggles – money – sunblock – lift pass. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting to the slopes and realising that you’ve left something vital behind.
4. Go to the toilet before getting togged up in all those layers of thermals and waterproofs. Taking it all off again can be a bit of an ordeal!
5. Keep a firm grip on of all your belongings when on a chairlift otherwise you might lose them forever! Make use of big pockets or secure items to you with karabiners.
6. If you are in a French-speaking resort, the mountain tipple of choice is “vin chaud” never “mulled wine”.
7. If you can’t walk convincingly in your rented ski boots, wear alternative footwear to and from the slopes and put it in a backpack while you ski.
8. If your budget can extend to it, invest in private tuition either solo or with a group of friends. Fearless children speeding past you within moments of first strapping on their skis can’t fail to dent your confidence…
9. You might not feel the burn when you first get off the slopes, but believe us – you will the next morning. Minimise your aches and pains with pre ski stretches and end of day hot showers, saunas and massage.
10. When it comes to clothing on the slopes, function is everything. Layer up and make sure your outerwear is waterproof. With après skiwear you can afford to be a bit more creative. Chances are, you already own a pair of must-have UGG boots.
Pierre & Vacances have plenty of resorts perfect for beginners, visit our ski page here to find out more.
Thanks for reading,
PV-Holidays.
If you’re an avid snowboarder and desperate to hit the slopes at the first sign of snow, there’s no better way to kick off the season than joining the thousands of other enthusiasts who flock to Les Deux Alpes for the annual Mondial du Snow (World of Snowboarding) event.
This year’s extravaganza in the beautiful mountain resort of Les Deux Alpes runs from 31st October to 2nd November.
Considered one of Europe’s coolest snowboarding destinations, the 2008 show is guaranteed to be as fashion conscious as ever, and the programme of events is as much about helping you to hone your look on the piste as polishing your boarding technique.
Yes, there will be exciting competitions, including free runs on the slopes and freestyle tricks on manmade arenas. But when you clap eyes on the hordes of dudes in wrap-around shades and big trousers you’ll soon discover that shopping for the latest fashions, gear and gadgets is the star attraction.
Think of it as a practice run for the season ahead. Over the course of three action-packed days, you’ll get to test the latest innovations and try new ski fashions on for size at the trade expo, where experts are on hand to offer tips and advice.
And when it comes to après-ski, you’ll also get the chance to sample the beer and the vibe in the resort’s hottest bars and clubs before the stampede.
The event is followed by Le Mondial du Ski (The World of Skiing) the weekend after on 7th-9th November.
Have you ever attended Mondial Du Snow, or strutted around one of our ski resorts in your best ski suit? If so, why not tell us about your experience, we’d love to hear from you,
Visit PV-Holidays.com, the website for Pierre et Vacances for more information
Thanks for reading,
PV-Holidays.
