Les Houches has made extra efforts to position itself as a family resort over the past few years and has been awarded a “Famille plus Montagne” national certificate from the French government as a result. More than ten individual businesses in the resort have the certification including the nursery, ski school, and lift companies.

Les Houches was awarded the certification because it has thought through every aspect of a ski holiday for families and tried to ensure that everything possibly needed is catered for, and to bring costs down too. It also organises special events and entertainments for families throughout the season. As such it’s an ideal base for families wanting to ski locally or explore the whole Chamonix valley.

The resort’s nursery on rue du Mont Blanc (+33 (0)4 50 54 48 19) accepts children from 3 months to 3 years old, but space is limited so advance booking (the sooner the better) is essential. The Ski School has a special children’s club for 3-10 years old, tied in with Les Chavants nursery (Place du Prarion; +33 (0)4 50 54 48 79) this offers a range of programmes depending on the age and stage of the child, beginning with a mix of indoor care and ski lessons in the ‘Boule de Neige’ nursery class.

With an eye to the cost of a family ski holiday Les Houches has created the “tribu” ski pass for three to five people (two adults and one to three children) valid from four hours to eight days and giving a discount on the usual price. The resort also reduces prices overall in low season January and March (but only outside the school holidays).