Excerpt from Know-it-all passport® 11th edition
Most ski resorts have developed free Apps to download on smartphones, with interactive ski maps, weather, prices, opening times and webcams, restaurants, shops, etc.
Skiing and snow activities
Listed here are some of the popular resorts in Switzerland and France for families living in this area. For more information contact the Tourist Office or the appropriate web site (there are last-minute special offers for families available at times).
Of particular interest to families with toddlers are the contact numbers for daycare, reservations are recommended. Only the ages are listed, as prices and hours may vary during the season. Starting from age 3-4, children can take skiing lessons either at the jardin de neige or on the slopes with qualified teachers. Each resort usually has a number of ski schools, but listed are only the phone numbers and websites for the official Ecole Suisse de Ski (ESS), the Ecole du Ski Français (ESF), the Ecole de Ski Internationale (esi), Evolution 2, or recommended private schools. The schools accept only children who are potty-trained.
All resorts include facilities for skiers and snowboarders, and most have reserved sledding areas for young children.
Equipment for winter activities is available for rent at resorts, but be sure to produce an ID to secure rental contract. Most resorts have artificial snow-making facilities. Resorts which have exciting sledding runs are listed separately. NOTE: See Sports chapter for a list of sports equipment stores where you can buy or rent skis and snowboards in the area.
Skiing in Switzerland
Look out for FAMILIES WELCOME label.
Some hotels offer packages. Most Swiss resorts have electronic hands-free ski passes: KEYCARD/SKIDATA.
ESS stands for Ecole Suisse de Ski, and other forms of snow/winter sports. NOTE: Swiss resorts are well linked with railways and postbuses so it’s worth checking out half-price Swiss railcard or free rides with Carte Junior for under 16s.
All Swiss resorts have winter hiking trails.
Skiing in France
Look out for FAMILLES PLUS label, that guarantee extra services for children and teenagers. For children up to age 5, the ski pass is free (don’t forget to take a document to prove the age of your child).
All resorts in France have to provide a room for picnickers called a salle hors sac.
NOTE: Watch out for market day on the road to French mountain resorts; lovely but can cause traffic jams.
Resorts are equipped with electronic ski passes, which are payable online. Some ski areas have adopted a pay-as-you-go system, if you have personalized the electronic ski pass from the resort.
ESF stands for Ecole du Ski Français (also snowboard and other forms of skiing): www.esf.net. ESF schools have developed their own websites, listed under their name. Group or individual lessons for all from age 4. ESF schools have a PIOU-PIOU CLUB for children age 3-5. Conditions vary according to local ESF structures. Ski helmets are obligatory at ESF for lessons.
If you need transport from Geneva during the winter ski season, coaches depart from the Gare Routière de Genève at Place Dorsière https://helvecie.ch/gare-routiere.
Coaches depart from Geneva Airport, try www.altibus.com for Haute-Savoie destinations in the Tarentaise resorts.
Useful Apps and sites
Swiss Snow App
Rega
www.snowrental.com: Pick-up pre-paid equipment
