T H E B I G
Q U E S T I O N
F O R E C O S K I E R S
Megève
Where?
A pretty little French town well
known to chic Parisians, with a picture-
postcard pedestrianised medieval centre.
It’s not on the big tour operators’ radar so
has a cosy vibe.
Why?
This winter, instead of taking a
cable car to get from one ski area to
another, skiers and boarders can transfer
between massifs on 12-seat horse-drawn
carriages – included in the price of a ski
pass. Children (of all ages!) will appreciate
the green credentials – and fun – of
horse-drawn transportation.
How?
Megève specialist Stanford
(
stanfordskiing.co.uk
)
offers family friendly
apartments, hotels and chalet stays from
£470 (€580) per week.
Fly to
Geneva from 56 destinations and
Megève is less than a 90-minute drive.
F O R L E A R N E R S
Arosa
Where?
This pretty, traditional Swiss
resort on the shores of Lake Obersee
is car-free. Plus, with a high altitude of
1,800
m, snow is all but guaranteed on its
70
km of pistes.
Why?
Free skiing lessons for kids. If
you stay at a participating hotel here,
ski school is free for those born from
1995
onwards. Locals were concerned
that fewer kids are learning the ‘Swiss
National Sport’, so they came up with this
incentive to encourage more little ones
onto the slopes (
arosa.ch
).
How?
There are 20 hotels and hostels
taking part in the scheme, including the
five-star Arosa Kulm Hotel & Alpin Spa,
from £539 for two nights (
arosakulm.ch
).
Fly to
Zurich from London Gatwick or
Luton, and it’s a two-hour drive.
Where should we
take the kids skiing?
Parenting writer
Liz Granirer
gives her pick of the best family
resorts this winter
F O R L A T E S E A S O N
Alpbach Valley
Where?
From this season, the Austrian
Alpbachtal and Wildschönau ski domains
have merged into the giant Ski Jewel
region, offering 145km of pistes with
47
lifts and a connecting run, all on one
ski pass.
Why?
From 23 March until the end of the
season, when an adult buys a minimum of
a four-day ski pass, they get one free for
a child born in 1997 or after. In addition
to the vast area and free lessons, a short
transfer time make this ideal if you’re
planning a late-season break.
How?
The four-star Kirchenwirt, from
£146 for two nights (
kirchenwirt.at
),
offers substantial discounts for children.
Fly to
Innsbruck from Bristol, Liverpool
or London Gatwick and it’s about a
40-
minute drive.
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R E G U L A R S
