Fun for the whole family

 

Châtel is a great family resort with facilities for children of all ages (and is one of less than 20 ski resorts in France to be given the “Famille Plus” label signifying its high quality of family infrastructure).  Winter ski holidays are magical with children – and not just the skiing, but also other activities like sledging, building snowmen or simply enjoying a hot chocolate up in a mountain restaurant. 

 

Chalet Isobel is well suited to families.  The chalet has easy access to the pistes (if the 500m walk to the lifts is too much, the free ski bus stops only 25m from Chalet Isobel), has a smart TV (allowing you to watch anything on the internet), and a large private garden.  (Families with infants or toddlers should be aware that Chalet Isobel has open stairs and a stairway which don’t have any infant specific protection on them.  The River Dranse also runs along the bottom of our large garden without a fence).

 

Châtel Childcare

 

Châtel Childcare offers flexible English speaking daytime nannying and evening babysitting services to visitors staying in Chatel. Operating year round and seven days a week, Emma (a qualified teacher and highly experienced nanny who has been working as a nanny in the Alps for over 10 years) offers a range of services from all day childcare to ski school collection and evening babysitting. Early booking is highly recommended!

​

Nursery

​

Les Lutins des Neiges nursery is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and takes children from 2.5 months to 4 years old.  The nursery is purpose designed for the well-being and comfort of little ones.  Packages range from half day morning sessions (9am to 1pm including lunch and snack) to full day sessions (9am – 5pm including lunch & snack).  Advance booking is necessary - there are limited numbers of places available. 

 

Ski Schools

 

Châtel has a superb selection of ski schools for children of all abilities.  These are available to all children from 3 years old:

• Châtel’s kids garden "Les Pitchounes" introduces children aged 3-5 to skiing with fun games on the snow and is run by the Châtel Sensations ski school in Linga (a 5 minute walk from Chalet Isobel if you don’t take the ski bus which stops directly outside the chalet). 

• If your child is a beginner then ESF’s Club Piou-Piou may be ideal.  The emphasis here is on learning to ski with a large element of outdoor play and fun, and caters for children from 3 to 6 years of age.  It is open all day 8.30am until 5.30pm.  ESF also run a separate ski-school for 5-13 year olds.

• ESI International Ski School run group and private lessons for children from 4 years old.  The group lessons have a maximum of 6 children in each group and are 2 hours long during the morning or afternoon. ESI International Ski School

 

Not skiing?

 

There is also a free sledging area located at Pré-la-Joux, made up of two separate and safe sledging runs: one for 2 to 6-year-olds and the other for children aged 6 and over, including a themed play path and a game area. There is also sledging available in Super-Châtel.

 

There are lots of other things for children to do off the snow as well, including a merry-go-round (situated in the centre of Châtel with wooden horses), an indoor playground, swimming in the wonderful aquatic centre, or going for a ride on Le Petit Train (a sightseeing train with commentary).  Find out more information here