Programme for a day’s skiing with children

October 21, 2022

Finding your rhythm on a ski holiday is a challenge for every family, who may be wondering how they should best organise their days on the slopes with children.

You have to please every member of the family so everyone can do their own thing – parents and children! – without forgetting to have fun together. Achieving this balancing act is the key to finding the ideal programme for a day on the slopes with children.

The result is a structured and packed day with ski lessons, beautiful viewpoints accessible via blue runs, enjoying a snack on the slopes and maybe even a sledge competitions at the end of the day…

How should you plan a day skiing with children?

Holder of the Famille Plus award since 2014, Méribel does everything possible to make families feel welcome and ensure they have an unforgettable stay.

For this reason, everything has been arranged to help make your life simpler. For example, in order not to lose a single precious minute with your children, you can book your ski passes and lessons online before your arrival!

This way, you avoid any mishaps and, above all, you don’t waste any time queueing.

Book a family lift pass Book ski lessons

Where can you book family accommodation to ski with your children?

At Méribel, we know how crucial it is to have comfortable accommodation to make the most of a family ski day.

That’s why we have a dedicated team ready to help you make your choice.

Our experts, who carefully check the quality of each accommodation, are on hand to answer all your questions and ensure your stay runs smoothly.

Méribel offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit all your needs, from cosy chalets to modern flats and top-quality tourist residences.

And for those who dream of putting on their skis straight out of the door, many of the properties are located at the foot of the slopes, providing immediate access to the joys of the mountains.

Find out more about our rental offers on our booking site!

8am: wake up in the mountains, in the heart of les 3 Vallées

What a pleasure it to jump out of bed and open the curtains to see if it has snowed during the night! Young and old alike will never tire of the view of the mountains surrounding Méribel.

If you have been on family ski holidays before, you know that it takes a family of four half an hour to get ready for the slopes after breakfast. Gloves, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, snacks… there is a lot to do to get ready.

To make the logistics as easy as possible, many families opt for accommodation in a catered chalet. In this way, you don’t have the bother of shopping, preparing breakfast or clearing away dirty dishes in the morning before skiing. All your energy is devoted to enjoying time with your loved ones in an idyllic setting.

9.15am: children's ski lessons start

Is your child looking forward to learning to ski? Then he or she will be delighted to ski with an instructor who teaches the basics of skiing or snowboarding with patience and skill.

And while your children are learning to ski in the best way, you too can take lessons, to learn snowboarding for example, or take advantage of this time to do some runs with your partner.

There are options to suit every child :

Under 18 months: a tailor-made baby-sitting package. You can find a regularly updated list of baby-sitters on meribel.net.
From 18 months to 3 years: Les Saturnins day-care centre. Located in the Parc Olympique and run by the ESF. Your child will discover the snow through games, slides, sledging and have their first taste of skiing.
From 3 to 5 years old: Mini Piou-Piou and Piou-Piou kindergartens. Your children can discover skiing in a fun setting at Chaudanne, Rond-Point or Mottaret.
From the age of 5: ski or snowboard lessons. Your children will join a group lesson at to their level to learn skiing, snowboarding or freestyle… At the end of the week, they will be delighted to receive their first star, or perhaps more!

Ski School

11.15am: head off for a lunch break

In this brochure, you will find the restaurants that offer a children’s menu plus all the items families need (high chair, changing table, etc.):

Brochure – Family Guide

2pm: back on skis, with all the family

Having fun in the play areas designed for family enjoyment.

These slopes are regularly updated and improved. Discover the Yeti Park with its fresh look and new activities. Enjoy eagle shows, biathlon taster sessions and also inflatable toys and games.

Fun slopes

Discovering the most beautiful panoramas in les 3 Vallées accessible via blue runs.

50% of the 3 Vallées’ slopes are greens or blues. There are several itineraries which allow you to enjoy the most beautiful panoramas in les 3 Vallées with your children.

Easy ski day in the 3 valleys

And if your children would rather put away their skis for the rest of the day, here are some ideas for alternative ways to spend your family afternoon:

Starting from Mottaret, head to the Tuéda Nature Reserve. At this easily accessible area of great natural beauty you will discover a frozen lake and Cembros pines, and also enjoy activities at the Maison de la Réserve or have fun taking part in Explor Games® on a quest to find The Lost Heart of Méribel.
Starting from Méribel-Centre, go for a walk around the Altiport area. Here, you can enjoy the sunshine until the end of the day, admire the planes, go sledging, follow the Animal Trail or walk along the marked footpaths to the Clos Bernard for a teatime treat and other surprises…

4pm: the long-awaited tea time

This is one part of the day you mustn’t skip: teatime is one of the unmissable pleasures of a day on the slopes with children. Make the most of this time by enjoying energy-giving snacks surrounded by splendid landscapes. To help you make your choice, take a look at our selection of the best places to eat either on the slopes or in Méribel. Homemade crepes, pastries, sweet or savoury snacks – every member of the family deserve a little treat when skiing!

5pm: Hang up your skis and take part in a new activity

Once the day’s skiing is over, you have several options.

If your children want a change and to spend time indoors in the warmth after a day out of doors, then the Parc Olympique swimming pool is just what they need. The pool is open until 7pm throughout the ski season, so there’s no need to rush off the slopes.

But if your kids always want more and never get tired of playing in the snow, then a sledging contest may be the perfect activity for family fun.

7:30: Get together for a cosy family dinner

What better way to end the day than a family meal to talk over the day’s fun? While dunking your bread in the cheese fondue, you can laugh about that fall in the powder snow or the sledge race which failed to decide which is the best team in the family.

Then it’s time for the children to go to bed, exhausted but delighted with their day. While their brains are assimilating everything they have learned, you have time to read a good book by the fireside in the lounge of your residence, chalet or hotel.