Flaine Family Holidays and Breaks

Ski. Flaine’s section of the Grand Massif area has 265km of runs, many for intermediates, although there’s plenty, too, for better skiers. Where family holidays are concerned, there are two major ski schools with kids' clubs catering to ages 2.5 and up, plus crèche facilities for younger kids.

Explore the rest of the Massif: the historic villages of Samoëns (once home to top European stonemasons) and Morillon, pretty and sizeable Les Carroz (an excellent spot for younger children, with easy slopes tucked away at the edge of the circuit), and tiny Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, with good nursery slopes. With its 1,000-year-old buildings, the latter has been rated one of France’s most beautiful villages. The wonderful 14km blue Cascades run from the top of Flaine right down to Sixt is a real adventure for youngsters.

Try out ice quad-biking and karting, dog-sledding, indoor climbing, snow-shoeing and tobogganing. There’s also a cinema with an English-language programme.

Go summer walking. Highlights are the GR96 long-distance walking path and the Désert de Platé, an extensive limestone pavement taking you to the Refuge de Platé, past deep ravines, rocks and fissures blooming with wildflowers. Other summer activities in or near Flaine include hiking, canoe-rafting, hydrospeeding, paragliding and mountain-biking, and children's entertainment is laid on in the school holidays.