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.

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.

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.

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 22^nd – 26^th 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.

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