Best Family Ski Resorts

It’s that time of year again, when even though it may be the summer holidays, thoughts are turning to winter holidays and the annual family ski holiday. Therefore, here at www.independentmountain.com we thought we’d give you a helping hand by bringing you the top five family ski resorts for season 09/10.

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First on our list is the fantastic resort of Morzine. Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil with access to some of the best ski conditions in the world, families are spoilt for choice when it comes to keeping themselves and their little ones amused both on and off the slopes. Morzine, provides direct access to Avoriaz via the Super Morzine bubble or by the Prodains lift just a 5 minute bus journey away from the centre of town.  Ideal for all level skiers with its wide variety of landscapes providing easier runs for the beginner right through to challenging off piste and steep terrain for the more extreme amongst us!  There are plenty of excellent ski schools located in resort that will keep the kids entertained, whilst you get some quality grown up time up the hill. In addition to the great ski conditions suitable for all the family, there are 7 snowparks an ice skating rink and lots of tobogganing to keep all family members happy.

Off the slopes, there is a lot to see and do in and around resort with the tourist office providing a schedule of family fun and games throughout the season, a market every Wednesday and a cinema, not to mention all the fantastic après ski bars and restaurants the town has to offer.

To book your family ski holiday Morzine click here

Meribel in the Three Valleys is a great family resort, providing a variety of activities on and off the slopes. The ski region of the Three Valleys is famous for it’s fantastic ski conditions and any family who stays in this resort can rest easy that there will be something for all the family to enjoy.

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Meribel has 375 miles of linked piste providing access to the ski resorts of Val Thorens and Courchevel, with an extremely modern lift system ensuring endless possibilities for on and off piste skiing.  Located at 1450m and the home of 120 snow canons,visitors are assured of good ski conditions all season round. There are also a great variety of ski schools to ensure the younger and less experienced in the family are helped along the way and left feeling confident on the slopes.

Off piste there are endless possibilities of family friendly restaurants and après ski bars, ensuring there is something to suit all. Alongside, a great variety of activities including bowling, snow biking, dog sledding and an indoor pool.

To book your family ski holiday Meribel click here

La Tania is all about taking the hassle out of the family ski holiday. The centre of the resort is pedestrianised meaning that it not only provides the security that children can play safely outdoors, but also that parents wanting to spend time in the centre of resort can do so, minus the headache of trying to find somewhere to park with a car full of little ones!

All ski ing can be done from your doorstep which means that mornings of hiking small children’s equipment to and from the lifts is now a thing of the past, with there also being access to great ski schools, ensuring family ski novices are in good hands.

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There is a sledge area especially for children in resort alongside Les Maison des Enfants, providing an itinerary of fun and games both indoor and outdoor, Kindergarten area ran by ESF for under three year olds aswell as a kid’s week from 22nd – 26th December.

To book your family ski holiday La Tania click here

Chamonix is a beautiful and bustling resort that is full of fun things to do for all the family. The ski area provides a fantastic range of terrain suitable for all levels with access to 700km of piste serviced by 200 lifts with all areas being above 2000m resulting in fantastic ski conditions all season through. Despite the criticism that it lacks the interconnectivity of other ski resorts, the variety of terrain including the pretty pistes of Le Tour provide great runs suitable for all the family, resulting in families returning for their annual ski holiday year on year.

The resort of Chamonix is fully geared up for children, with a fantastic range of activities including ski school, many beginners ski areas for children, tobogganing, husky rides and even a fantastic children’s day care and ski school called the Panda Club.

To book your family ski holiday Chamonix click here

Families will be spoilt for choice as to what to do first when they take their annual family ski holiday in Chatel. Whether it be skiing the great area of the Portes du Soleil or taking part in one of the many off piste activities you will never be far away from keeping you and your children happily entertained.

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There are lots of on and off piste activities for the family including, painting on canvas lessons, guided visits of the village on the little sightseeing train, under ice fishing, games’ festival, ice rink, sledging runs and snowparks to name but a few!

To book your family ski holiday Chatel click here

The New Sk(i)-Robot

The latest technology and forward thinking in the ski world have combined to develop a revolutionary robot called the Sk(i) Robot designed to help us humans have a better understanding of our ski injuries.

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The world of human and robot have been introduced courtesy of a team of ground breaking researchers from Japanese university Kanazawa, who are developing their robot to be able to ski, completing ski turns with grace and eventually getting up to full speed.

First tests have seen the Sk(i) Robot manoeuvre its way down an artificial grass test slope covering a distance of eleven metres and a speed of 3m/s. The aim of the project being to aide Doctors and physios with understanding how our joints move and in turn how to rehabilitate them following an injury.

Despite the robot still being in its development stages the team behind the vision have already received huge support and acclaim for their work in particular, in the area of measuring ski deflection and contacting pressure during a real ski turn with their results being recorded in the Sports Engineering Journal.

The Japanese team are not the only ones at the forefront of the Sk(i) Robot world, as hot on their heels is a team from Slovenia headed up by Josef Stefan. Check out the robot in action here

To ensure your turns are as good as the Sk(i) Robot book your ski holiday here

Winegrowers Week Les Menuires

Come to Les Menuires and celebrate one of the best tipples the word has to offer – French Wine. From 2nd – 9th January 2010, visitors will be able to enjoy a series of wine tasting and sales evenings enabling guests the chance to take home their favourite wines.

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This is the 8th year the event has ran in resort and it sees around thirty wine growers presenting their products from all the French wine regions. A great event for lovers of the French grape providing perfect gifts to take home after the holiday!

For the best accommodation in Les Menuires click here

Celebrate New Year in St Martin de Belleville and Les Menuires

An evening of spectacular entertainment and celebrations will see the New Year in, in style in St Martin de Belleville and Les Menuires.

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This New Year festival is one not to be missed as it has something for everyone attending. A huge sound and light show will kick off the celebrations, followed by amazing demonstrations from leading pro-riders and a torchlight descent by 300 ESF ski instructors.

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The finale to the festival is a show stopping firework display seeing the New Year in with a bang with visitors being able to dance the rest of the night away to DJs whilst enjoying a glass of hot wine.

For the best New Year accommodation in Les Menuires click here

For the best New Year accommodation in St Martin de Belleville click here

Metro ski and Snowboard Show 2009, 21st – 25th October, London Earls Court

The largest consumer ski and snowboard show in the world is back at London Earls Court this year and is as jam packed as ever with bundles of mountain fun. This year will see the addition of some fantastic new elements alongside the return of some old favourites to keep visitors entertained and up to speed with the latest in the snow world!!

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The latest news on the shows features have the following great activities on offer all free of charge on entry with kids under 11 being able to enjoy free entry to the show:

  • 40ft Kicker with International Competition with London Ride and British Snow Tour
  • Fashion Show
  • Off Piste Adventure Zone
  • Board Riders Heaven
  • Zillertal Apr?s Ski Bar
  • World Resorts Village
  • Roof Terrace Bar
  • World Food Kitchen
  • Over 200 exhibitors
  • Bargain Holidays and Shopping
  • Husky Lodge
  • Gigloo with live music and comedy

For tickets to the show click here

For more information on the show lick here

For the best ski accommodation click here

Meribel Golf Show 24th August 2009

Golf lovers will be spoilt for choice during the Meribel Golf Show that takes place over a week in Meribel starting on 24th August.

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The week will see both professionals and amateurs being offered the chance to take part in a number of competitions all taking place on the 18 hole Mountain course.

If you’re new to the sport, do not fear as all beginners will receive golf instruction free of charge, so you are able to test your skills without testing your wallets!!  A mixture of competitions, demonstrations and equipment testing will keep visitors to the event entertained all week and provide great fun for all!!

For accommodation in meribel click here

http://www.independentmountain.com/resorts/meribel/accommodation

Food Lovers Week Morzine 20th-24th July 2009

If you love food then there’s only one place to be this month and that’s Morzine!

During the week visitors and locals will be able to indulge in a week of treats and culinary delights. From food walks to tastings your taste buds will be set alight as they sample all the mountain has to offer.

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There are a number of Morzine restaurants and hotels taking part where you will be able to enjoy a pre dinner drink and regional treat. The “Foodie Express” is also a great way to see all the town has to offer on the culinary front, enabling visitors to have each of their different courses in different restaurants. The food train is a free service that will take you from restaurant to restaurant and course to course so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

A fantastic event promoting the delicious dishes of the region and a definite must attend for all lovers of good food!!

For accommodation in Morzine click here

http://www.independentmountain.com/resorts/morzine/accommodation


Discount Snowboard Gear!

Want to kit yourself out with some new gear for next season but worried about the hard hit your bank account will take? If so, then worry no longer as we have found a fantastic deal on the internet offering half price kit, yes that’s right HALF PRICE kit!

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What’s more the gear is only a season old being from season 08/09 so you will be able to look good for less pennies rather than less style! So anyone wanting to indulge in the likes of leading brands such as Burton, Bonfire, Special Blend, Four Square and Skull Candy to name but a few then be sure to check out the latest deals here

http://www.snowboard-asylum.com/snowboard-clothing.htm

The Belle Dimanche Festival 23rd August 2009

On 23rd August local residents and visitors to Chatel will get together to celebrate the Belle Dimanche Festival. This is the 33rd year of the event which is a festival celebrating local agriculture.

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The day has a full programme starting with the arrival of the farmers with their cattle in the morning, followed by cheese making, cattle competition and an open air market. After lunch guests will be entertained with a variety of traditional crafts including wood carving, upholstering and wood-turning and musical entertainment from Alpine horns, folk bands and brass bands.

For the best accommodation in Chatel click here

http://www.independentmountain.com/resorts/chatel/accommodation

Shepherds Festival on the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass La Rosiere 16th August 2009

The best of France and Italy are brought together in this fantastic annual festival that takes place every August. Visitors to the area will be treated with an array of activities including an open air mass, folk dancing and local crafts fair.

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One of the high points of the weekend and a firm favourite amongst festival fans is the “Bataille des Reines” (Battle of the cows) which is one of the Italian traditions.

A vibrant and fun festival that showcases the best qualities of these two nations.