Family Holidays in Les 2 Alpes

If you’re coming with young children, staying close to the nursery slopes makes life much easier. Les 2 Alpes is ideal, with ski schools, beginner runs and family activities all nearby. Accommodation around the Alpette lift puts you right by a kids’ learn-to-ski zone and the indoor pool, while the Bosquet and Viking lifts give access to other nursery slopes. If you prefer somewhere quieter, Les 2 Alpes 1800 offers self-catering apartments and a few well-priced family-friendly hotels, giving a relaxed pace while still keeping you close to the action.

Lift passes can be a big part of the cost of a family holiday, so it pays to choose the right pass. In Les 2 Alpes, kids under five are free, those aged 5 to 12 pay a reduced rate and there are free or discounted passes for beginner areas. Pedestrian passes let non-skiing adults join the fun on the slopes. Half-day tickets can help if the little ones tire quickly. Families of four or more can save with a family lift pass, which also includes one swim, ice skate or night skiing session per day.

Ski schools in Les 2 Alpes cater for little ones from around 3 years old, focusing on fun with games and inflatables. They offer full and half-day sessions with English speaking instructors and dedicated beginner areas where kids can learn to snow plough, stop, turn and glide safely. Most beginner slopes have magic carpet lifts so your children can get to the top without struggling with the main lifts. Lessons cover tuition only, so children over five will need a ski pass, skis, helmet, goggles and warm clothing. Under fives just need a hands-free card for the turnstiles.

Les 2 Alpes has slopes to suit the whole family. Beginners can start at village level, with the main kids’ learning area by the Alpette lift and another at the Bosquet lifts, many of which are free. Once confident, head up to longer green pistes off the Crêtes chair lift, then explore blue runs all the way down from 3,200m. More experienced skiers can enjoy 225km of pistes or a guided day at La Grave. The resort also has Freestyle Land with beginner to advanced park features, including half pipe, boarder cross and big air.

If the kids are only skiing half the day, Les 2 Alpes has plenty to keep them busy. In winter, try sledging at the Alpette or La Côte lifts, or push them around on a Babysnow scooter. There’s an outdoor ice rink with skate hire and a café, husky dog sledding at La Molière, and bowling with children’s lanes and games. For a quieter option, catch a film in English at the local cinema. In summer, the resort also offers pools and sports activities to keep the whole family entertained.

Les 2 Alpes has a range of childcare options to help make your holiday easier. The resort runs crèches from six months old, while summer brings kids clubs at the main sports centres, usually from early July to the end of August. Activities often include swimming, climbing, tennis, basketball, ice-skating, as well as organised hikes and picnics, so the children are entertained and you can enjoy a bit of time to yourself. You can check with the local tourist office for a list of babysitters.