Planning a family ski holiday can feel like a juggling act — but Serre Chevalier is one of the best places in the Alps for skiing with kids. With sunny slopes, excellent ski schools, and plenty to do off the piste, it’s a destination where the whole family can relax and enjoy.

Here’s our 10-step guide to skiing with kids in Serre Chevalier.

1. Pick the Right Accommodation

Staying close to the lifts makes life easier when you have little ones (no one wants a long walk in ski boots!). Chalet Clair is just 400m from the pistes, so you can be on the slopes in minutes. You can also hire a locker at the foot of the slopes to make things super easy and save you from lugging three pairs of skis with a few tired childing back to your accomodation.

2. Book Ski School in Advance

Obviously, ESF (École du Ski Français) is a well known, and great ski school. Both our boys learned to ski with ESF and have become fantasitc skiers. However, this is not the only option and in Serre Chevalier particularly, we’ve found Ski Connections to be of most help to our English clients. Their staff have excellent English and have gone above and beyond to accommodate our clients’ wishes. There are other independent ski schools like ESI and most offer excellent group and private lessons for children from age 3 upwards. Spots fill quickly in peak weeks, so secure your places early.

3. Choose Gentle Beginner Slopes

Serre Chevalier has fantastic beginner areas — wide, sunny slopes at Villeneuve and Chantemerle, plus magic carpets and protected nursery runs where children can build confidence. Even in Easter weeks when the valley is starting to look a bit spring-like, the beginner areas are well maintain in easy to access higher alitutdes. Often they are helpfully located where one can sip a vin chaud overlooking the beginner area!

4. Don’t Skip Playtime

Mixing skiing with fun is key. Many areas have themed slopes, snow gardens, snow parks and play areas on the mountain. A hot chocolate break is as important as mastering snowplough turns! In Serre Che we have the ‘funny cross’ and the ‘Cabane a Sucre’ to keep the fun in your ski holday. Here you can toast marshmallows, throw snowballs at a target and go bumboading to a fanfare of plastic trumpets.

5. Layer Up Properly

Kids feel the cold faster than adults. Opt for thermal base layers, good gloves, and neck warmers that can pull up around the ears, such as ‘buffs’. Helmets are an obvious must. A spare pair of gloves and extra buff in your backbag is a lifesaver.

6. Factor in Rest Days

Little legs get tired. If you’re a keen skiier but your kids are young, be prepared to call it day after their lesson some days. Plan for a morning/afternoon off skiing with alternative activities: swimming in Briançon’s aquatic centre, ice skating in Villeneuve, or sledging in Monêtier.

7. Eat Well and Often

Hungry little skiers are hell. Avoid at all costs! Pack snacks in your pocket (cereal bars, chocolate, dried fruit) and break for lunch before the meltdowns set in. Serre Chevalier has plently of sunny picnic spots, BBQ areas and many family-friendly mountain restaurants.

8. Get the Right Lift Passes

Often ski resorts offer discounted passes for families. Though they can be better value if everyone’s skiing, this isn’t always as a good a deal as you think. Serre Che offers a small family discount and the option of a ’30 pass’. It’s worth double checking that you don’t over pay for lift passes if your kids are beginners and it’s their first time. This year’s prices are available here. Under-6s ski for free, but you still need to collect their lift pass in advance. You can also get ‘fast passes’ for skipping the lift queues which in busy weeks make a big difference to your skiing time!

9. Après-Ski for Kids

Après-ski doesn’t have to mean bars. In Serre Chevalier, it’s torchlit descents, husky rides, and crêpes! Kids will love the local thermal baths at Monêtier too.

10. Keep it Fun, Not Perfect

Remember, the goal isn’t perfect parallel turns — it’s creating family memories. Change the scene when kids are finding it hard so they don’t lose enthusiasm. A snowball fight, sledging session, or spotting chamois from the lift can be just as magical as a blue run.

Final Tip: Keep It Stress-Free

Skiing with kids can be joyful if you plan smartly. At Chalet Clair, we know the valley inside out and can help with ski school bookings, lift passes, and insider tips — so you can focus on enjoying time together. Find out more about what we can offer here.