Val d'Isère: The place for picture-perfect family ski holidays

Is Val d'Isère good for families? In a word, yes. Sitting at 1,850m, with skiing that stretches up to 3,465m, this is one of the highest and most snow-sure resorts in the Alps. It shares around 300km of pistes with neighbouring Tignes in the Espace Killy, and most of the skiing is above 2,300m, so you can count on good snow when it matters most.

But it is not only about the mountain. Val d'Isère is also a pretty alpine village, with an easy-going welcome for children, plenty of places to eat and an evening and rest-day scene to keep every age group happy. Here is why so many families choose it for their Val d'Isère family ski holiday.

Before you even look at the slopes, it helps to know that Val d'Isère carries the Famille Plus seal of approval. This is the French national quality label for resorts that commit to a proper family welcome, and it is awarded on a set of promises about how children and parents are looked after. Those include:

• a tailored, family-friendly welcome
• activities for every age group, for children and parents to enjoy together or separately
• prices set for each age group, from the youngest to the oldest 
• free ski passes for children under 8 and reduced rates for children up to 18
• shops and amenities close at hand
• children looked after by qualified professionals

In practice, that means a crèche and nursery, babysitting services and children's rates at places such as the ice rink and the leisure centre, plus ski lessons for young skiers. For parents, it is reassuring to know the resort has put real thought into the little details.

On top of what the resort offers, our private ski nannies can look after your children in your chalet, so you can ski knowing they are happy and well cared for.

Val d'Isère's reputation for steep, challenging terrain is well earned, but the Espace Killy has something for every level, which is exactly what you want when a family includes skiers of different abilities.

Confident skiers can head for the Face de Bellevarde, the Olympic downhill, or explore the high terrain towards the Pisaillas glacier and Tignes' Grande Motte. Intermediates have plenty of room to cruise across the Solaise and Bellevarde sectors, and the blue Mangard above Le Fornet is a lovely way to build confidence. For a fuller picture of how the mountain fits together, take a look at our Val d'Isère piste map tips.

Younger children are well catered for too. A few favourites:

• Jardin des Neiges: a snow garden at the foot of the slopes for the youngest skiers, aged 3 to 4.
• The beginner area on Solaise: reached by the Solaise gondola from the heart of the resort, this high-altitude learning zone is served by magic carpet lifts, so new skiers and snowboarders can move on from the village nursery slopes and practise in a quieter setting.
• ValKids on Solaise: a fun slope and play area with an igloo, mini zip line and obstacles.
• The Gypaète fun slope on Bellevarde: a themed trail with obstacles, including a bird-shaped tunnel and a feather xylophone.
• P'tit Cross on Solaise: a junior boardercross track for children who like a bit of speed.
• Village Perdu in La Daille: a free outdoor play area at around 2,000m. The slope is not groomed and is only suitable for experienced skiers, so it is one for confident families.

Yes, with a little planning. There are nursery areas in the resort centre and at La Daille, and the beginner lifts there are free. The green Savonnette run sits in the middle of the village, so non-skiing parents can watch from the side with a coffee in hand. Once your confidence grows, the gondola up to the beginner area on Solaise, with its magic carpet lifts, is the natural next step. Because so much of the wider ski area is high up, we would suggest booking lessons so that beginners are guided towards the right terrain at the right time. Our guide to ski lessons in Val d'Isère explains how it works, and we can arrange lessons and hire for you when you book.

Eating out in Val d'Isère is part of the fun. You will find everything from cheap and cheerful snack stops and go-to pizzerias to refined restaurants, in the village and up on the mountain. Here is where we would start with children in tow.

Mid-morning hot chocolate stops

When small ski legs need a rest after a busy morning at ski school, a warming break makes all the difference. In the village, the Roxy Quiksilver Café on Avenue Olympique is open from 09:00 to 22:00, so you can drop in whenever you need to. Up the mountain, Brasserie Le Bellevarde is known for gourmet snacks, pancakes and waffles on a sun-drenched terrace, whilst Bar de l'Ouillette sits at the bottom of the Madeleine piste on the Solaise side. Indoor seating there is limited, so it is best on a sunny day. Your chalet host and our concierge team can point you to their current favourites.

Lunchtime spots to remember

Whether you want a quick bite or a proper sit-down lunch, there is something for every appetite and budget.

Picnic: the top of Solaise is a popular picnic spot, with sweeping valley views and a warm picnic room.

Pizza: Le Petit Refuge, at the top of Solaise, serves homemade pizzas from 12:00 to 15:00, and Le Trifollet, on the Verte piste above La Daille, also serves pizzas.

Burgers and more: La Fruitière, at the top of the La Daille gondola, serves burgers, oysters and fish and chips, and is open from 09:00 to 17:00. Les Marmottes is more family-friendly option with family-style cooking, homemade dishes, a fireplace and a sunny terrace with mountain views. If you are meeting at the bottom of the slopes, then the Sun Bar is good option if your family prefers burgers, chips and straightforward food. It has a relaxed atmosphere, indoor seating and a terrace. The snack bar at L'Etincelles offers pizzas, savoury and sweet crêpes and waffles.

A long lunch: Maison Louly, at the top of Bellevarde, serves traditional French cuisine in a more formal setting.

Best family restaurants

When it comes to the best family restaurants in Val d'Isère, Le Lodge is a great choice. It is described as a family-friendly place, serving Savoyard specialities and pizzas. For a bit of fun, the Fondue Factory on Avenue Olympique serves cheese fondue, with vintage ski equipment on display, and La Casa Scara is a good Italian option for dinner. Our guide to the best restaurants in Val d'Isère has plenty more ideas. And if you would rather stay in, our chalet hosts are happy to adapt meals around your children.

Après and nightlife

Older children and young adults will love the slopeside atmosphere. La Folie Douce, reached via the La Daille gondola, is known for its open-air party with live music and cabaret (weather permitting), whilst Cocorico, at the bottom of La Face, lets you ski almost right up to the bar. Some venues have age limits (Cocorico is for over-18s only), so check before you go, or ask our concierge team. Our guide to après-ski and bars in Val d'Isère has all the details.

When the skis come off, there is still plenty to do, whether it is an evening activity or a full rest day.

• Dog sledding: a favourite with families, with sled rides through Evolution 2. The minimum age is 2.
• Snowmobiling: guided tours on a circuit at the bottom of the Tommeuses chairlift after the ski runs close, with the option to ride as a passenger.
• Paragliding: for the daredevils, with tandem flights for children and adults. Check minimum ages when you book.
• Snowshoeing: a quieter way to see the mountains on foot.
• Aquasportif: a leisure centre with a 25m pool, a play pool and a current stream, which is ideal for a rest day.
• Ice skating: an open-air rink in the centre of the resort.
• A visit to La Ferme de l'Adroit: a family farm where you can watch the cows being milked in the late afternoon.

There are more ideas in our guide to things to do in Val d'Isère, and our concierge team can book most of them for you.

Val d'Isère ticks a lot of boxes. You get high-altitude, snow-sure skiing across around 300km of pistes, with runs to suit every level and fun areas for younger skiers. You get Famille Plus backing, a village with plenty of places to eat, and an evening and rest-day scene to keep teenagers and parents happy too.

At VIP SKI, we have been welcoming guests to Val d'Isère for over 30 years, with 16 luxury chalets to choose from. Our chalet hosts will tailor mealtimes around your children, and our private ski nannies can look after little ones whilst you ski. Skiing made easy starts as soon as you arrive.

Ready to plan your trip? Browse our Val d'Isère chalets, read our A-Z of Val d'Isère, or get in touch with our team and we will help you plan your first stress-free family ski holiday.