 Poster: A snowHead
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My 9yo loves a fun novelty run designed for kids. Those kinds with bridges, tunnels, foam things to bash into etc. Or those with themed decorations at the side of the piste.
We've done under the sea themed at Sierra Nevada in Spain, wild west themed and the Fun Slope in La Plagne and this year the Piste des Minis and Foret des Pitchouns in Les Arcs.
I'm looking for ideas for next year's family ski trip and was hoping for recommendations for other places with fun slopes for kids.
I know about Marcel's Farm in Alpe d'Huez and the Indiens piste at Courchevel, but we might be restricted to February half term next year, so recommendations in less obvious places, less likely to be overwhelmed with crowds would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Bluebird16, the Scandinavian Skistar resorts tend to have these, at least at Trysil they do (troll themed). Unlikely to be as crazy busy as mainstream resorts.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Les Gets has one Territoire du Grand Cry)and Morzine too (off Piste B) - neither helps with your half term problem.
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@Bluebird16, Les Karellis in The Maurienne valley has the Ponsinniere run designed for kids and has the types of things you mention above.
It’s only a small resort so may not give you enough area to cover, but it’s very family friendly (and cost effective) and does not get busy even in half term - easily accessible from Lyon, Geneva, Grenoble or Turin or also driving as it’s motorway all the way until the last 15kms or so up the mountain. It’s one of our favourite resorts in the valley with a few runs through the trees, some great wide blues at the top and some more challenging reds if you desire.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I think La Plagne is the best of the resorts I've been to for things like that, all the Cool Ski runs are quite fun. The little Stash at Avoriaz is quite good, if a bit small....also definitely don't help the busy thing, the lift at the bottom is a main route through for a lot of people coming up from Morzine.
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Thank you all for the suggestions.
I'll investigate Trysil, seems like a pretty decent size for a Scandinavian resort. I usually discount these on the basis they all seem to be very limited ski areas.
Les Karellis sounds worth a look as well. I haven't skied at all in the Maurienne valley (apart from Orelle from VT), and it's an area I'd like to visit.
I don't think we would go back to La Plagne, nothing against it really, I just prefer Les Arcs of the Paradiski area. PDS is worth considering if we end up doing a busy French resort, as hopefully enough of an area to spread out in.
I have to accept if we need to go at half term, there will be some compromises made, just looking for ideas to weigh up now.
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well apart from the "novelty run" thing, the best place to go at half term is probably Italy. 
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Serfaus has a decent sized kids’ area and it’s a great ski area overall.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Serfaus is just generally awesome for kids and the best ski school for them. Other resorts with great fun runs include Zell am See, Bad Hofgastein, and Galtur. We all love a musical box!
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Agree with @andmelffion, Les Karellis is a lovely resort, north facing so snow conditions always great and never gets too busy either
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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El Tarter in Andorra has the “circus” which my two always enjoyed. At one point they found there was a height limit and they’d grown above it, I think they then went in with bent knees  it’s not very long though, seems strange to choose the resort for that.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Origen, the original plan was for Montgenevre, which is virtually Italy . Then on our trip last week my daughter announced that her absolute favourite thing about skiing was 'fun runs', so I thought it was worth exploring some places that have them.
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@Valkyrie, @Alicat, thanks for the suggestions. I'm not familiar with Austria at all, so it's good to have some ideas there.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Orange200, I wouldn't choose a resort just for one run, but it's good to have some ideas of places suitable to visit, which also have the kind of runs my kids enjoy.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I can see the attraction @Bluebird16, a little like running through sand dunes on beach holidays which kids love to do.
Some that my two and other families liked for this (accepting that as they grow a little then interesting terrain may be just as attractive as formally the "architecture" was) in Maurienne valley, Val Cenis has some really good X-cross courses (one in VC & one in Termignon which is linked) that children really liked. Fairly extensive and you can "race" them down a twisting, turning cascade of really nice slope with various jumps if you want them, berm type banked turns etc. Just really good fun in a roller coaster way. Very well within capability and skills needed. Generally quite there for France too.
Ste Foy has some really good side of piste "channels" that the ski schools routinely use, with entrance and exit, all named like "fox run" etc that the kids absolutely love. If you're stopped on piste near them you can here them all whooping and squeaking through there. Really gets the skills up too. Not great gradient but more roller coaster swooping through under the trees.
Morillion in GM ski area has usually a good kid ski area/parky/fun section next to main piste. Also Marvel green run with lots of little side hits next to piste tne kids love. Top of Les Carroz (next door) usually has a kids adventure/jump line running along the ridge with dedicated lift too.
There's some good provision to advance to at that age, with fun and repeating a big part of their development in ski confidence at low speeds.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Bit of a Catch 22 - you want a ski resort that has 'novelty runs', so is actively marketing itself to families...but isn't too busy at half term. To be honest I think you're going to have to prioratise the happy children and accept the crowds.
With that said I'd throw the Zillertral valley into the mix. Certainly the sectors above Mayrhofen, Vonderlanersbach, and Hintertux had funslopes that were popular with the kinder in our group.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Bluebird16, Dont write off Trysil especially with kids . . . .what it lacks in mileage it more than makes up for in terms of superb squeaky snow and polite nordic people . .
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Belch wrote: |
| @Bluebird16, Dont write off Trysil especially with kids . . . .what it lacks in mileage it more than makes up for in terms of superb squeaky snow and polite nordic people . . |
And excellent instruction.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The Stash is a hoot for adults too, I think I went down it 4-5 times in a row! Agree on that one!
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There’s also a fun type run La belette in next-door Chatel (it’s not quite to Indiens standard but another run worth a look with youngsters)
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Thanks everyone for input. Lots of ideas to start investigating now!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hopsiland at Schladming
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There are quite a few in the Grandvalira. Some are like ski cross courses with cushioned obstacles others are a little more interactive with music, noises and wind machines.
I have to say, the one called Bang Bang Circus is terrifying when you tour past in the dark, at night and the big top music starts playing all of a sudden.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Some quite big unguarded drop offs on that run in St Foy - not good for people nervous about "edges"!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Some quite big unguarded drop offs on that run in St Foy - not good for people nervous about "edges"! |
In reality, no. There's no real entry speed as you've (if you want any pace) got to do anything you can to scoot it in there if you're to avoid walking/pushing, its very gentle and low risk. It's characteristic that any, even raw beginners, can travel across to that area, experience the hugely beneficial blue piste (one of the best to advance on) to then gently meander your way back across towards village.
The yt visual may not give good appreciation of this very gentle track.
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