Chamonix for kids

If the kids are just too quick on the skis and you need a rest you can always.....

Les Planards

https://www.planards.fr/en

A kids ski area in the winter, turns into an amusement park in the summer!

The luge is open year round, with a 1.3KM track suitable for kids (and big kids) all year round (free rides with Mont Blanc Unlimited pass). There is also a Toddler play park including a sandpit, swings and slide. There is a family restaurant and ski hire shop. In the winter there is a small beginners area with 2 green runs and an ESF kids club and a red and blue run serviced by a chairlift which is also open for night skiing. In the summer (from April onwards) there is a small amusement park suitable for small children with a carousel, slide and pirate ship.

There is also a lovely restaurant on site with lots of outdoor seating and beautiful views of Mont Blanc….its a real sun trap and perfect for relaxing whilst the kids run off steam.

Sledging

For the little ones, the hill next to the Maison des Artistes/McDonalds is great fun. For a slightly longer run the you could visit Les Planards or the nursery slopes in Brevant. Most of the ski hire shops have sledges for sale or to rent.

Cinema

http://www.cinemavox-chamonix.com/

Cinema (Chamonix main square, opposite the post office): Watch all the latest releases in a classic cinema. They show films in both French and English (with French subtitles). There is a board up outside the cinema with movie times, or google ‘Cinema Vox Chamonix’. 

    • The usual ticket price is around 9.5 euros for adults, 4 euros for kids but there is a special rate of 3.50 with your Mont Blanc Unlimited pass TAKE ALONG YOUR PASS AND PASS PROOF OF PURCHSE (receipt) in order to get the discounted rate

St Bernard Museum – Barryland

https://fondation-barry.ch/EN/

Visit the St Bernard Museum in Martigny! Meet the dogs and learn all about St Bernard himself and the breed. Remember to take some Swiss Francs. The exhibit is partly in French so if you don't have a good grasp of the language, the audio guide is recommended.

Les Marecottes

http://www.zoo-alpin.ch/

Accessible via train from Chamonix (change at Vallorcine train station) or about an hours beautiful drive up the valley to Switzerland. Les Marecottes has a alpine zoo (the highest zoo in Europe) where you can see all the local mountain animals including brown bears, wolves and marmottes. Feed the animals and roam with the lively mountain goats. The on-site restaurant does lovely wood fired pizzas. In the summer there is a open-air swimming pool carved out of the natural rocks. Also you will find a children’s play area suitable for the little ones. A great day out for all the family!

Bowling

Plan B in Chamonix Sud is a new Hotel / Entertainment complex near Chamonix Sud bus station. T is open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm and costs 4 euro per person with up to 5 players per lane. Planb-chamonix.com

196 Avenue de Courmayeur

Husky ride

Evolution 2 ski school run Husky rides every winter – a truly magical experience for all the family.

http://www.evolution2-chamonix.com/fr/aventures/hiver#husky

Treetop adventure park

Accropark Chamonix is a treetop adventure park with high ropes courses for kids of all ages. The clever carabiner system means that you are clipped in throughout the course for assured safety.   https://www.chamonix-guides.com/fr/activites/categorie/outdoor/accro-park

Horse riding

Go horse riding – there is an equestrian centre in Les Houches which does year round treks and snow riding and ski jeering in the winter – phone +33(0)6 13 08 33 58 or visit the website www.centreequestredumontblanc.com

Swimming

Access to the swimming pool at the Richard Bozon sports centre is free with the MBU pass, otherwise it costs around 6 euro pp. There is a large, warm (31 degrees) kids pool. In the summer there is a large outdoor pool with slides and some grassy areas for picnics/sunbathing.

Playparks

There is a popular play area on the Place du Mont Blanc which is suitable for kids up to the age of 10. There is a smaller Toddler play area just behind the sports centre Richard Bozon. Another small playpark can be found on your right just as you drive into Argentiere.

The website Mont Blanc Family Fun https://montblancfamilyfun.com/ is a great resource for family activities in the region. It contains the latest events for the entire valley and is updated on a regular basis.

Childcare

The creche in Les Houches takes children from the age of 3 months into their nursery depending on space. You will need to call up before you arrive in Chamonix to see whether they have space (speak to Madame Consille). Our son Luca spent a few days there so we could go skiing and seemed to have a lovely time with all the French toddlers!

http://www.leshouches.fr/education-enfance/les-3-mois-3-ans/

201 rue du Mont-Blanc
74310 Les Houches
Tel. : 04 50 54 48 19
E-mail : creche@leshouches.fr
Directrice : Vanessa CONSILLE

The Facebook group ‘Chamcats’ is a local group for parents in the valley. It is a good place to find babysitters, or these can also be arranged via nanny in the valley http://www.nannyinthevalley.com/

Club Piou Piou takes children from the age of 3 where they have fun in the snow in the winter and lots of outdoor activities in the summer. There are many more kids clubs run by the Compagnie de Mont Blanc which can be seen on the website

 https://www.chamonix-guides.com/fr/activites/categorie/juniors