If you’ve promised your children a ski trip, you can be fairly confident they’ll be expecting snow. A few years ago, this wouldn’t have been an issue, but rising global temperatures mean that the snow-sure line is also creeping up. The obvious solution is to aim high – resorts above the treeline are usually safe – or aim cold, like on a glacier or north-facing slope. Failing that, you could also try somewhere that makes its own snow, like Aspen or Val d’Isère.
The other thing to consider is that your snow-sure resort is suitable for kids – which is where we come in. Below, we’ve detailed five resorts with guaranteed snow and family fun.
Etoile du Nord, Val d’Isère
The snow... You go to Megève or Courchevel for the scene. But you go to Val d’Isère to ski. The snowy slopes are maintained by a combination of Mother Nature or La Snow Factory’s high-tech snowmaking cannons, ensuring all 300 km of its runs are ski-ready all season. Beginners and children are also well catered for, with plenty of nursery runs and a good ski school.
Rue du Parc des Sports, 73150 Val-d'Isère, France
The stay... Just a short walk from the main ski school is Etoile du Nord – a design-led, almost Disney-fied pair of cojoining chalets accessed by a private underground tunnel. There’s a lot you – and the kids – will love, like the indoor/outdoor pool and cinema room, but little beats sitting in front of the triple-height windows and looking at out at the snowy mountains.
Mont Cervin Palace, Zermatt
The snow… Zermatt is so snow-safe that you could even ski here in the height of summer. But that would mean missing out on the winter magic when its chocolate-box chalets are swirled with sugary snow and its car-free streets are lined with fur-coated families, who come here to ski, sledge, and sleigh – children under nine travel free on all mountain lifts.
Bahnhofstrasse 31, 3920 Zermatt, Switzerland
The stay… Mont Cervin Palace also scores highly for its family facilities. It has a great kids’ club, Mini Cervin, which sees little ones baking, hiking, playing, and crafting in a purpose-designed, toy-filled space, plus, it has a selection of spacious suites designed specifically for families.
Severin*s, The Alpine Retreat, Lech
The snow… Despite not being as high as its French rivals, Lech often receives twice as much snow due to its unique micro-climate. Few resorts have a more exclusive image, either – Princess Diana used to ski here, as well as many other royals. Although its slopes are mostly suited to intermediates, there’s a good beginners’ area behind the church and a few child-friendly practice sections.
Stubenbach 273, 6764 Lech, Austria
The stay… Originally built for a British entrepreneur, The Alpine Retreat still has a cosy family vibe, elevated by Italian-designed furnishings and artworks by regional artists. The family suites all come with a pair of bunk beds for children and babysitting is available on request.
La Datcha, Val Thorens
The snow… As the highest resort in Les Trois Vallées, VT’s ski season often extends until April – although its lofty location means the slopes are sometimes a no-go due to the wind. It has a good selection of easy green and blue runs for beginners, and its ski schools are some of the best in the area – especially for children.
38 Rue des Balcons, 73440 Les Belleville, France
The stay… You’re already in the highest resort, so you might as well stay at the highest hotel. And this spacious chalet is quite literally in peak position overlooking Glacier de Péclet and Cime de Caron mountain – the nearest slope is only 10 metres from the front door. Its suite-only accommodation has interconnecting bedrooms ideal for families, and there’s also a suite of child-focused activities – including an amusement arcade.
The Little Nell, Aspen
The snow… It’s glamorous, it’s fashionable, it’s lively: it’s the one and only Aspen. Après aside, the snow cover and quality here is consistently good, thanks to an orchestrated team of ski patrollers, groomers, and snowmakers who patrol all four ski areas on a daily basis. Buttermilk is the best mountain for beginners, although adventure-seeking skiers will meet their match at Highlands or Ajax.
675 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611, USA
The stay… The Little Nell is so close to the slopes that you can see people thronging around the base gondola from your balcony. If that didn’t give it away, this is a ski-in/ski-out hotel where the people-watching is almost as good as the skiing. Families will love the huge residences, award-winning hot chocolates, and complimentary ski shuttle service that means you won’t be dragging your children’s skis up and down the mountains.
