Chamonix with kids in winter: what to do at every age

Chamonix has a reputation for serious mountaineering, but it works well for a family winter holiday too, as long as you match activities to your children's ages and keep the days short. Below you'll find ideas for toddlers, 6 to 12-year-olds and teens, with and without skiing, what's free for children and tips for getting around without a car. If someone in the family doesn't ski, our guide to things to do in Chamonix in winter without skiing adds more ideas. For other seasons and more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Chamonix.

Is Chamonix good for families in winter?

Yes, if you pick the right base. The valley has five villages, linked by train. Les Houches, at the entrance to the valley, holds the French Famille Plus label, which the tourist office describes as a national label for resorts that commit to a personal welcome, activities for every age and prices everyone can afford. In central Chamonix, you can do a lot on foot: the Planards area, with its alpine coaster, is a five-minute walk from the main square.

To compare the villages before you book: the Chamonix valley in 5 villages.

Bear the altitude in mind. The Aiguille du Midi cable car climbs to 3,842 m: according to the tourist office, children under 3 aren't allowed up, and it isn't recommended under 5.

What can toddlers and under-6s do in Chamonix?

At this age, an hour in the snow followed by a hot chocolate beats a full day outside. A few options:

• A ski kindergarten (jardin des neiges): schools in the valley take children from age 3, in a nursery, a snow garden or a small beginner group. Depending on the school, nappies aren't accepted and full-day packages aren't recommended for 3-year-olds: check before you book.

• Sledging: on the valley's free sledging areas, or on the Planards alpine coaster (details below).

• Ice skating at the Richard Bozon rink: entry is free for children under 6, and you can hire skates there.

• Dog sledding: a ride is possible from age 3, with an adult taking part.

Always give your child's exact age when you book: each school sets its own rules.

What are the best things to do in Chamonix with kids aged 6 to 12?

This is often when children start group ski lessons. To weigh up a ski school against an independent instructor, read ski lessons in Chamonix: independent instructor or ski school?

For children who prefer adventure to the pistes, kids' clubs run for ages 7 to 13, by the day, Monday to Friday. Depending on the club, children build an igloo and go snow tubing, hike on the trail of wolves, take part in snow games, learn to track animals like a trapper and try crampons and an ice axe. Ask what the price includes (transport, lifts, gear), what you need to provide, such as lunch, and which language the group runs in if your child doesn't speak French.

Another easy outing is the Montenvers train, a rack railway that climbs from the centre of Chamonix to a viewpoint above the Mer de Glace glacier. It's free for under-5s. For ages 5 to 14, there's a child rate. Check the train's website for what the ticket includes and what's open during your stay.

On PEAKED, Alex Bruneau, whose profile lists French and English, offers Discover the ecosystems of our mountains: 1 hour, all levels, up to 8 people. Expect reading the landscape, looking for signs of wildlife and learning how plants adapt to the mountains. Message Alex from the profile to find out the next dates and what's possible with your children. For snowshoeing, Valérie Dubois Delplanque offers Raquettes au crépuscule in Megève from age 6: 2 hours at nightfall. Message her from her profile to see what's possible with your children.

What can teenagers do in Chamonix in winter?

Three ideas for teens:

• Tandem paragliding: on PEAKED, David Paragliding Chamonix was born in Chamonix and started paragliding at 13 himself. He offers a tandem paragliding flight with views of Mont-Blanc and a paragliding flight from the Plan de l'Aiguille, in English, French or Spanish. His listings don't set a minimum age, so give your teen's age, height and weight when you message him. The price of each flight is shown on its listing, service fee included, but not the lift ticket.

• Snowshoeing with a mountain leader: on PEAKED, Valérie Dubois Delplanque takes children from age 6, with La montagne en hiver (3 hours) or Raquettes au crépuscule (2 hours), starting from Megève. Everything is in our guide to snowshoeing in Chamonix.

• Ice climbing: with a high mountain guide (IFMGA), from age 15 on group days depending on the school, with a parent until 18. The beginner session lasts a full day.

In the evening, catch an ice hockey match: the Pionniers de Chamonix play home games at the Richard Bozon rink, usually at 8 pm.

Where can kids go sledging in Chamonix?

Sledging isn't allowed on the ski pistes, but the valley has dedicated areas:

• Les Chavants, in Les Houches: a free public area reserved for sledging, suited to children and beginners, according to the tourist office.

• Vallorcine: a free, groomed sledging run behind the tourist office, at the start of the Le Buet cross-country trails. It opens in winter, snow permitting.

• Elsewhere in the valley, La Vormaine at Le Tour has a free-access sledging area, and Les Chosalets in Argentière a groomed sledging run, according to the tourist office.

You can buy or hire a sledge in the valley's sports shops. For more thrills, the Planards alpine coaster (luge sur rails), in central Chamonix, takes riders from age 3, and children under 1.35 m ride with an adult. You pay per ride. It closes every year from November to mid-December.

Can you go dog sledding in Chamonix with kids?

Yes. The tourist office lists Huskydalen, open during the winter season. Children under 3 aren't accepted, and each child must be with an adult taking part. Prices depend on age, with one child rate for ages 3 to 6 and another for ages 7 to 11, and there are packages for one adult and one child, or for two adults and two children under 11.

For this outing, book directly with Huskydalen.

How do you budget for a family winter holiday in Chamonix?

Do kids ski free in Chamonix? Under-5s do, and a child rate applies from 5 to 14. The price of a pass depends on the ski area, the number of days and the season: current prices are on the website of the lift company, Compagnie du Mont-Blanc.

Other benchmarks:

• the Aiguille du Midi and the Montenvers train are free for under-5s;

• the ice rink is free for under-6s, with a child rate after that, and skate hire is extra;

• for kids' clubs, ask what the price includes: lifts, transport, gear;

• the sledging areas, the groomed walking paths and the Christmas village during the festive season are free.

Alternate a paid activity with a free half-day. If you're coming over the holidays, also read Christmas and New Year in Chamonix.

How do you get around Chamonix with kids, without a car?

• Ask for the guest card (carte d'hôte): your host usually hands it out free on arrival. It makes the Mont-Blanc Express train free between Servoz and Vallorcine. It doesn't work as a bus ticket, but it gives discounts on bus fares. If you're staying with friends or in a second home, you can get one from the town hall or the tourist office for a weekly fee per person.

• Hop on Le Mulet, the shuttle around central Chamonix: check its times and fare on the Chamonix Mobilité website.

• Keep days short: daylight is short in December and January. Do the main activity in the morning and keep the afternoon for sledging or skating.

• Book early for French school holidays, especially at Christmas: kids' clubs fill up fast.

• Dress in layers, with spare gloves, sunglasses and sun cream.

Which local pros can you book for a family day out?

On PEAKED, several local pros offer family-friendly outings, such as Alex Bruneau, Valérie Dubois Delplanque or David Paragliding Chamonix: message them from their profile. All the pros are in the directory of pros.

The price shown includes the service fee. If the pro cancels, because of the weather or for another reason, you get a full refund, service fee included.

Chamonix with kids: ideas by age at a glance

• Under 6: snow garden from 3, free sledging areas, the alpine coaster with an adult, free ice skating, dog sledding from 3. No Aiguille du Midi under 5.

• 6 to 12: group ski lessons, kids' clubs from 7, the Montenvers train, a nature outing with Alex Bruneau and snowshoeing from 6 with Valérie Dubois Delplanque on PEAKED.

• Teens: tandem paragliding with David on PEAKED, snowshoeing from 12, an avalanche transceiver introduction from 10 with Valérie on PEAKED, group ice climbing from 15, an ice hockey match in the evening.

• Everyone: sledging, skating and the valley train, free with the guest card.