VIP SKI Blog

We have a successful childcare programme allowing both adults and children to enjoy a week in the Alps. We're seeking an experienced Childcare Manager to successfully oversee the delivery of our childcare program (12 nannies, based in 5 different resorts in France).

The successful candidate will have significant childcare experience, knowledge of OFSTED standards and a commitment to excellence. We’re looking for someone to take sole ownership of the childcare service offered as part of our winter programme, including day to day operations and long-term development.

The Childcare Manager will need to be confident working independently but also cohesively with other Managers within the Operations Team. An excellent multi-tasker who works well under pressure and has strong problem-solving skills and an innovative approach to challenges and ideas.

If you have the personal attributes, work skills and experience detailed in the Childcare Manager job specification, and if you think this vacancy has your name on it, please apply by emailing recruit@vip-chalets.com attaching your CV and covering letter clearly stating why you are the right candidate for the role, and the date you would be available for employment.

1. Walking & snow shoeing

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a newcomer to winter sports, snowshoeing is a low-impact yet highly rewarding way to explore the mountains and immerse yourself in nature. With nothing but the sound of a marmot scurrying in the undergrowth and maybe a mountain spring trickling by, you will feel like you’re in another world. Ask for the “Walking, Cross-country skiing and Snowshoeing map” at the Tourist Office or ask your Chalet Host for more details or sign up for a guided trek with a professional guides or instructor. They will take you to their favourite spots, away from the crowds, to see the best Alpine scenery and wildlife. Snowshoes and walking poles can be hired.

2. Paragliding

Tired of having your feet firmly on the ground? For the ultimate exhilaration, experience the silence and taste the freedom of flying in perfect safety. Paragliding can be experienced in numerous interesting and beautiful places worldwide but it truly has to be said none more beautiful than the Alps.

3. Avokart

Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled adventure with Avokart as you zoom down the Crôt slopes like never before! These three-wheeled vehicles are equipped with hydraulic brakes and have been designed with a low centre of gravity helping you to steer down the exhilarating 3.5 km track!

• Open Tuesday to Thursday. 
• 1st run 5pm
• 2nd run 6.30pm
• Minimum height: 1.4 m

4. Ski Joëring

A fun activity for those who love skiing and horses! Ski joëring is the original drag lift. Before Pomas, chairlifts and cable cars were installed in the mountains, the only tow to be found was either behind dogs or horses. Although it’s easy to move around the mountain using ski lifts these days, if you fancy a trek through the woods away from the queues and ski schools, then ski joëring might be for you.

5. Ice Diving

Whether you are an accomplished diver or a complete beginner, diving under the frozen Montriond Lake will be an unforgettable experience. For your safety, holes in the ice are dug at regular intervals so that an exit back onto the surface can be reached at any moment. Holes are linked by a rope, to which the diver is attached. It's completely impossible to get lost under the ice! Beginner divers will get individual help from instructors to help them get the best out of this unusual activity. If you don’t want to miss out on a day’s skiing or snowboarding, then night dives are available if you’re feeling brave! Montriond Lake can be accessed via shuttle bus from Avoriaz.

6. Ice Skating

If you’re looking for a fun activity to keep the children happy for a while or fancy a romantic skate under the stars before dinner, Avoriaz has an open-air ice rink in the centre of the resort. Open from 2.30pm to 7pm. Don’t forget your gloves!

7. Swimming Pool

If the weather’s bad or you feel like a dip, Aquariaz is the resort’s indoor water park, designed as an aquatic paradise in the mountains. It boasts a river with a variable gentle current, a slidewinder (a kind of aquatic half-pipe), a water playhouse, a paddling pool, a large pool with climbing walls, massage benches and the must-try: an open-air spa heated to 34 degrees! Open Sunday to Friday from 1.30pm to 7.30pm.

8. Snowmobile/Ski-Doo

Once the ski runs have closed for the day, try your hand at driving one of these two-seater Ski-Doo. As night falls, the snowy wonderland becomes your playground. After some expert instruction, you will soon be out on an open country trail enjoying the buzz and adrenaline rush of being in control of a Ski-Doo.

• Available every day 
• 5.30pm to 10.30pm
• Prices start from €75 (passenger behind guide)

9. Night Tobogganing

Kids and adults alike will love this night-time adventure down the slopes! Sledges and head torches are supplied and a guide will ensure that maximum enjoyment is achieved whilst staying safe. Squash If you’re missing your regular session at home, there is one squash court located in the residence Les Fontaines Blanches. Open every day from 4.30pm to 8.30pm (except Saturdays).

10. Squash 

If you’re missing your regular session at home, there is a squash court located in the residence Les Fontaines Blanches.

• Open every day (except Saturday)
• 4.30pm to 8.30pm

11. Speed Riding

Speed riding is a relatively new activity, a mix between skiing and flying. Evolution 2 offers an introduction with a qualified instructor. No need to know how to fly the kite, although you do have to be quite a good skier.

12. Skydiving

If you want to experience the beauty of the mountains and the thrill of falling through the sky, then you can do just that in Avoriaz. After a short session learning all the basics, you will be taken up in a helicopter before jumping out of it with your instructor! Skydiving gives you an adrenaline rush like nothing you've ever done before.

13. Bowling

Avoriaz has its very own bowling alley, Le Studio 9, on Place des Dromonts. Here you can entertain yourself with ten-pin bowling plus snooker, video games, table football, pinball and a dancing machine.

14. Cinema

Cinéma des Portes du Soleil has 2 screens showing a variety of films in both French and English. VO stands for ‘Version Originale’, which means it will be shown in its original language – perhaps with French subtitles (sous titres). Watching a film with subtitles can be a great way to learn a few new French phrases - their usefulness will depend entirely on the kind of film you are watching though!

15. Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

As Avoriaz is totally pedestrianised, the sleighs operate around the village as taxis. The coachmen offer a variety of tours for 2-4 people. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the horse drawn sleigh experience under the warmth of a thick sheepskin blanket. Enquire directly with the coachmen at the reception desk at the resort entrance, at the outdoor car park or near the cable car.

16. Mountain Biking on Snow

Have you ever tried downhill mountain biking on snow?! If not, then why not give it a go on a guided ride with the Rustine Bike School? Available every day.

17. Massage Therapists

Mountain Rehab offers a full mobile massage service to all our guests. For maximum convenience, qualified therapists will visit you in the privacy of your own chalet bedroom and offer a range of massage options at a time to suit you.

Whatever your needs, the highly trained masseurs have a treatment to soothe aching limbs and replenish energy levels, making it a great après ski activity and helping you to get the most from your precious week’s holiday. The service also offers facials, body treatments, waxing and manicures. Please ask your Chalet Host for the full range of treatments and prices.

18. Electric Fat Biking

Try an experience like no other with specialised electric bikes on the snow, in partnership with Evolution 2. Along with a certified instructor, explore the area following the dedicated mountain trails.

We must add there are numerous choices of companies providing these activities, so please speak to our Concierge Team once in resort for further details. With all extreme sporting activities please ensure you check your own insurance policy to see if you are covered to take part.

Are you ready for an activity-filled week in the Alps with a hearty dose of relaxation thrown in too?

If you haven’t already selected your holiday, check out our catered Avoriaz luxury chalets. With dedicated chalet staff to tend to your every need and stunning mountain-side views, we're pretty confident there are no Avoriaz chalets to beat these!

Get a taste of Alaska on a husky-powered sledge whilst taking in the breath-taking mountain scenery. This activity takes place daily with ParadiSled. The starting point is between Arcs 1600 and 1950 and can be accessed by free shuttle from Arc 1950.

• Bookings available from Monday – Sunday
• Ride length between 20 to 30 minutes
• Children must wear a helmet (supplied if needed)

Luge 2000 is a fun and exhilarating experience as you toboggan down a 3-km track with challenging bends and twists along the way. This is a great one for kids who are too young to take part in some of the more ‘extreme’ activities as sledging still provides that addictive adrenaline rush no matter what age you are!

• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
• Minimum height restriction 125 cm
• €12 per run
• Sledges and helmets are provided on site

Swap the slopes for the ice rink and enjoy gliding about with family and friends of all ages. On Monday and Thursday evenings, special entertainment is organised on the ice rink (weather dependent) and challenges are set for prizes to be won!

• The ice rink is open daily between 18:00 and 20:00 in the upper part of Arc 2000

Once the ski runs have closed for the day, try your hand at driving these two-seater skidoos. With the rear wheel replaced by a caterpillar track for momentum and the front wheel swapped for a pair of skis for steering, these snowmobiles are incredibly quick. After some expert instruction, you will soon be out on an open country trail enjoying the buzz and adrenaline rush of being in control of a Ski-Doo. 

• Available in Arc 1800 and 2000

A fun activity for those who love skiing and horses! Ski joering is the original drag-lift. Before Pomas, chairlifts and cable cars were installed in the mountains, the only tow to be found was either behind dogs or horses. Although it’s easy to move around the mountain using ski lifts these days, if you fancy a trek through the woods away from the queues and ski schools, then ski joering might be for you. 

• Available on selected dates

Visit an extraordinary 400m2 igloo village complete with a hotel, bar, ice grotto with impressive ice sculptures, restaurant and dance floor. Made entirely of ice, the hotel can be accessed on skis or snowshoes from Arc 1950. Keep your ski gear on, as the igloo is kept at 0°!

• Open every day of the winter season from 10am to 5pm
• €5 for adults
• €4 for children
• Free for children under 6
• Entry to the magical ice grotto with sculptures costs €2 (no reservation needed)
• Accessible to skiers via the Arcabulle chairlift and walkers via a 20-minute walk from Arc 2000

Similarly to our own pool and spa complex within Bear Lodge, the majority of residences in Arc 1950 have wellness areas with indoor and/or outdoor hot tubs, pools and saunas. In the Deep Nature Spar, you will also find a 1000m2 complex complete with relaxation pool, themed ice and sauna caves and treatment rooms, some of which enjoy magnificent views of Mont Blanc. 

• Child spa access is available from €25 (age 4-15)

If you are looking for a fun and exciting après-ski activity, then you have to give the Snakegliss a try! Several sledges are linked together one behind the other to create a sliding snake steered by an instructor at the front with 6-10 people per ‘snake’. 

• Minimum age 10
• Helmets and ski gloves are compulsory
• Ski boots are not allowed
• Sessions take place in the late afternoon from the ice rink in Arc 2000

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a newcomer to winter sports, snowshoeing is a low-impact yet highly rewarding way to explore the mountains and immerse yourself in nature. With nothing but the sound of a marmot scurrying in the undergrowth and maybe a mountain spring trickling by, you will feel like you’re in another world. Ask for the “Walking, Cross-country skiing and Snowshoeing map” at the Tourist Office or ask your chalet host for more details or sign up for a guided trek with professional guides/instructors. They will take you to their favourite spots, away from the crowds, to see the best Alpine scenery and wildlife. 

What you need to know

• Snowshoes and walking poles can be hired

  
  

Want to try something new? Tired of having your feet firmly on the ground? Discover a new type of sport which combines the likes of paragliding and kite surfing to make the increasingly popular sport of Speedriding! You’ll be kitted out with a wing, harness and safety equipment ready to fly down the mountain at adrenaline-inducing speeds.

• Group courses are limited to 5 students for one instructor

For a truly amazing and thrilling panoramic bird’s eye view of the mountains, choose a sightseeing scenic helicopter tourist flight. Hover over the slopes or tour around the resorts by helicopter, marvelling at the wonderful scenery beneath you.

• 10min, 30min or 60min private tours available
• Max groups of 5 people

There is plenty of choice when it comes to choosing the companies which provide the activities we’ve listed above and if you need any more information on the providers, please speak to our Concierge Team once in resort for further details.

If you haven’t already selected your holiday you must check out our Arc 1950 hotel and chalets with pool complex, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, gym, cinema & kids’ playroom.

* For all extreme sporting activities please ensure you are covered by your own insurance policy to take part.