The annual half-term or Easter family ski holiday is that much-anticipated week you’ve had circled on the calendar for months. It’ll be your golden opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, recharge your batteries, and revel in quality mid-winter moments in the mountains with your loved ones.
But let’s be realistic – sometimes, orchestrating the perfect vacation can be a tad overwhelming. Perhaps you’ve booked the flights, or settled on a family-friendly ski resort – but it is no mean feat to research, coordinate and book ski instruction, childcare, activities and restaurants to please everyone. The extended family WhatsApp chat is pinging every five minutes and you’re starting to wonder if this is all worth the hassle!
Enter our family-friendly ski chalets and our experienced, cool-headed team of on-the-ground Alpine Experts – here to ensure that from the minute you book, you don’t have to lift a finger. Your only job is to relax and focus on making memories rather than managing the mother-in-law!
Armed with our vast and varied portfolio of luxury family ski chalets designed with the utmost flexibility in mind, available at our various tailored service levels, we’ll confidently cater to family groups of all shapes and sizes. Step into any of our ski chalets, and you’ll find them not just welcoming, but fully equipped to cater to the little ones. Cots, pushchairs, high chairs – consider it done! And the cherry on top? The cosy, wood-clad bunk room which captures the children’s imagination.
With half term a mere two weeks away, and Easter falling earlier than usual this winter season, both Verbier and Méribel boast fantastic snow conditions and guaranteed high-altitude skiing spanning both holidays. Are some of your clan more the spa-going, Aperol-sipping type? Never fear, we can arrange a whole host of non-skiing activities to enchant even the most discerning of relatives.
In Méribel, there are some great beginner skiing areas, especially for the children. Méribel’s kid’s beginner piste features an Inuit Village and woodland forest route with picnic spots along the way. More confident skiing families can follow an exciting itinerary from La Chaudanne to Courchevel, La Tania, and back to Méribel, with plenty of scenic spots en route.
There is a fantastic array of family activities in Méribel, making it an ideal destination for both skiers and non-skiers. For a lovely on-mountain family lunch, La Folie Douce or Maya Altitude provide a great atmosphere, live music, and beautiful mountain views. Lilie, a ski-in ski-out restaurant near Rond Point du Piste, offers a modern take on French and international cuisine with stunning mountain vistas.
On the hunt for the very best hot chocolate stop? Add Le Castors in La Chaudanne or Chalet Marine in Val Thorens to your list. Or, warm up with a cosy fireside tipple at the lounge bar in Le Savoy or Le Clos Bernard on the piste with fire pits outside.
For an Easter egg hunt, Chalet Pousse Caillou‘s (available w/c 18.02, 24.03, 31.03) beautiful garden with a little stream running through it could not be more enchanting. Other in-chalet family activities can be arranged, such as cooking or baking sessions with your private chef, or a cosy movie night in the private cinema rooms at the likes of Chalet Cheval Blanc (available w/c 18.02 & 24.03), Chalet Phoebe (available w/c 18.02 & 24.03), or Chalet Caro (available w/c 18.02, 24.03, 31.03). We’ll bring the popcorn and pizza, you bring your favourite film requests.
Verbier is the best ski resort for families with a diverse array of interests. Thrill-seekers can take on the excitement of Western Switzerland’s longest toboggan run at 10km. Winding its way down from Savoleyres to La Tzoumaz, it’s an adventure for the entire family (but not for the faint of heart!). Meanwhile, those looking for a slower, more scenic tour can be treated to a husky-sledding experience, where you can take in the views in the hands of a professional musher.
In the town, there is an ice skating rink, a cinema, and plenty of opportunities for both gourmet and low-key dining. Don’t forget to pop into Le Farinet’s legendary après ski bar for some live music in the centre of town, if you fancy a boogie after your ski day. Stay at Apartment Skye (available w/c 11.02 & 18.02), Apartment Sophia (available w/c 18.02, 24.03, 31.03), or Apartment Valentine (available w/c 31.03) to be right in the heart of the action.
Our reputable ski school partners include the likes of European Snowsport, who offer flexible group or private lessons to cater to all levels of skiers. Let them take care of the children for the day, while we pair you with a mountain guide to help you unlock the secrets of the ‘freeride capital of the world’. Or, book a heliskiing trip to one of the surrounding glaciers, for an absolutely unforgettable ski day.
This Easter, you can’t miss out on some Swiss chocolate. Indulge your sweet tooth at La Galerie du Chocolat, displaying the creations of Switzerland’s top Maîtres Chocolatiers in an art-gallery-like setting (they make a mean hot chocolate!). Our favourite chalet for an Easter egg hunt in Verbier? Chalet Dent de Lion (available w/c 24.03 & 31.03) is a large freestanding ski chalet with plenty of nooks and crannies to hide treasures in, while Chalet Marais Rouge (available w/c 11.02, 18.02 & 24.03) has plenty of snowy outdoor space (you can watch the kids hunt from the outdoor hot tub, if you fancy).
With our roster of trusted in-resort suppliers on speed dial, all you have to do is say the word and we will book anything from trusted childcare to last-minute ski school, a sun-drenched on-mountain birthday lunch to a soothing sports massage or spa day. No ask is too big (or too small!) so you can truly enjoy this picturesque and iconic Swiss destination to the fullest.
Uniquely, we offer a fully catered service across our entire portfolio of family ski chalets. Allow us to step in and take the hassle out – ensuring you and your group are well-fed, watered & looked after! From the moment you book (at any service level!), our passionate concierge team are ready to assist with every last detail, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Once you arrive at your chalet, we promise an unforgettable dining adventure where every evening feels like a personalised dinner party with your favourite people. We appreciate that luxury doesn’t always mean gourmet fine dining (although our skilled chefs will happily oblige) – sometimes, it’s a pizza-making session with the kids or your favourite hearty comfort food to warm you up after the slopes. Complimenting your dinners are our handpicked fine wines, or simply ask your concierge to source your favourite bottle for you ahead of time.
Awaken to the smell of freshly brewed coffee just the way you like it, and a delicious breakfast spread to fuel you up for the slopes. With afternoon tea also served daily, there’s no need to worry about the afternoon hanger pangs. Come back, kick off your skis and enjoy some you-time curled up by the fire with a fresh pastry in hand.
Assisting you & your private chef will be a chalet host, who’ll take care of everything from ensuring your boots are on the boot warmers so they’re toasty for your ski day, to shaking up your favourite cocktails in the evenings. Then there are our in-resort drivers, saving you the ungraceful walk to the ski lifts in the morning and ready to whisk you to après in the afternoon.
Relax, this isn’t just your average skiing holiday; you’re embarking on a true Alpine adventure for the whole family with Ski Armadillo, and we guarantee the memories will last long after the snow melts away. Contact us today, and let’s make it happen.
