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With half-term fast approaching, many families will be heading out to the slopes en-famille. To get the most out of your time in resort with the kids, why not entertain them with some off-slope activities. Many resorts offer plenty to do when you’re not skiing, from bowling to horse riding to ice skating.
Bowling
When the weather is bad or you just want to get away from the ski slopes, bowling can be an ideal option – for day or night. Jacks Bowling in Tignes Le Lac is an great place to spend the day as it offers an alluring mix of bowling, games machines, UK sports matches as well as a nightclub for the adults. In Courchevel 1850, the bowling alley in Le Forum has a special children’s lane and is open from 9am-2am. Chatel in France also has a bowling alley open from 5pm-5am.
Climbing
Perfect for children with boundless energy, some resorts have indoor climbing walls as well as frozen waterfalls outside for ice climbing. Courmayeur in Italy has an indoor wall in its Sports Centre that has a special kids’ route.
Horse riding
Riding on snow is ideal for horse-lovers – in Chatel, you can ride through the Abondance Valley with Lou Roug for €35 per half day. Alternatively, try high-altitude horse riding in Tignes with Evolution 2 where established riders can gallop up the nursery slope – an exhilarating experience.
Ice skating
Out of skis, what more fun can be had than by taking the kids ice-skating? Zermatt provides toy penguins in its ice-rink for children to hold onto for stability. It’s a shame they don’t provide the same service for learning adults but then watching you fall over is all part of the entertainment. Other resorts with ice-rinks include Cervinia in Italy, Le Forum in Courchevel and a rink on the frozen lake in Tignes.
Sledging
One of the best resorts for tobogganing (or rodel) is St Anton with its four kilometre rodel run which begins at Gampen and goes down to Nasserein – you’ll see it marked on the piste map.It can get quite competitive with people racing each other so it’s probably more suitable for older children. To make a night of it, toboggan on a Tuesday or Thursday evening and stop halfway down at Rodelalm for dinner.
