Apart from skiing and 'boarding children will enjoy the swimming, bowling, cinema and possibly even the children's books and games borrowing service in the library if they have time. The resort recently introduced the 'Chamfamille' pass which gives a special package price for families with two children up to age 15. For those who do not fit in the standard 2.2 family mould, the 'Chambonplan' Pass gives a reduction on an adult's 6 day Chamski Pass when a child's 6 day pass is purchased. You do pay for a pass as soon as you can get skis on at Chamonix, but child beginners who are not insulted by the pass name can get the cheapest pass, the 'Chambaby'. There is also a Chamkid Pass for children aged 4 to 11 and a Chamjunior Pass for ages 12 to 15 both valid for 1 to 13 days.
Although Chamonix has a reputation for its tough skiing there are plenty of family-friendly slopes, and beginner slopes at village level when snow cover is adequate. The resort recommends the slopes of Le Tour and Col de Balme for sunny skiing and Le Brévent for the best views of Mont Blanc. Runs particularly recommended for kids are Le Savoy, Les Planards, La Vormaine, Les Pèlerins, Les Bossons and Les Chosalets.
Ski schools in Argentière and Chamonix offer crèches and then ski kindergartens for ages 4 to 12, with special ski lifts for ages two-and-a-half to 6 and up to 4 hours of skiing per day. The French ski school also offers a 'First time on Skis' package for children aged 3 upwards. Child classes and prices are available up to age 12. The popular Panda Club crèche takes children from age 10 months to 3 years and offers packages from half days to a pay-for-6-days-and-get-one-day-free offer. The Panda Club also offers 'Panda Ski' for ages 3 to 12 which includes learning to ski on a private drag lift. There is a municipal crèche for ages 18 months to 6 years which takes reservations for half day periods only.
3 stars out of 5 overall 