10 Reasons To Have A Multi-Generational Winter Holiday

Spend quality time together… In an amazing location! It can sometimes feel like a stretch to find time to catch up with family so it’s essential to plan something extra special once in a while. What better place to spend it than in the mountains, with the amazing alpine scenery and magical winter holiday atmosphere.

More time for you. It’s helpful having an extra pair of hands to look after young children, and you can feel especially at ease when they’re people you know, love and trust. Grandparents are the perfect babysitters - they know your children, they’re available 24/7 and they’re free! Whilst they’re enjoying spoiling the little ones, you can take some precious time alone with your other half with a much-deserved, guilt-free romantic dinner out, complete with an abundance of delicious French wine and cheese! It’s a win-win situation.

New experiences to share. Multi-generational holidays can be full of really special experiences; staying in a beautiful location with stunning vistas and thrill-inducing activities allows you to reconnect and make moments that can be cherished.

Home from home accommodation. Catered chalets and self-catered apartments are the ideal base for larger groups, and you can enjoy sharing the space exclusively with your loved ones. Catered chalets remove all the hassle for mums and dads; chalet hosts cook up breakfast, afternoon tea and hearty evening meals, and are on hand to help zip up little ski jackets in time for ski school. Meanwhile, those looking for added flexibility and independence can choose to stay in a self-catered apartment; there’s more opportunity to spoil yourselves and sample the local restaurants, or you can share the cooking between you!

Cut the cost. Holidays can cost less when you’re in a larger group. Split the cost of accommodation, transfers and food for an all-round cheaper holiday, and enjoy group discounts available on local activities. You can also halve or even remove childcare costs altogether!

Slope thrills. The vast ski areas of the French Alps are a mecca for active families. There are beautifully maintained pistes to suit all abilities, whether it’s your first time snowboarding or your 100th time on skis, and keep even the most restless occupied. You might even find some undiscovered talents - whether your kids take to the snow quickly and have to be moved to the next class up in ski school, or you find out that grandad used to be quite the skier in his heyday as he zips past you!

Keep the kids entertained. If you tend to find that when the holidays come, the kids start bouncing off the walls in excitement, raring to try every activity available, then skiing is the perfect option. They love taking lessons outside the classroom at ski school, where they can improve their ability on the slopes whilst having endless fun with other adventurous children. Whilst they’re kept occupied, the older generations can enjoy some peaceful, adult-only time together.

It’s not all about the ski. When picturing the mountains in winter, it’s easy for non-skiers to feel as though it’s not for them, but for those members of the family who’d prefer not to don a pair of skis or a snowboard, there are plenty of other options. Think sledging, swimming, ice-skating, ice hockey… the list goes on. And if the grandparents would prefer to take it easy while others are hitting the slopes, the towns and villages of the French Alps are always a hive of activity during the winter season with local markets and charming boutiques to explore, as well as convenient buses to other locations. They can also take the gondola up the mountain to meet the family for lunch, or relish tradition with a tour in a horse drawn carriage.

Memories to treasure. A multi-generational holiday is the perfect opportunity to build that family photo album and keep the memories alive long after the holiday’s over. A winter holiday is something that the kids won’t be able to stop talking about, and what’s better than involving the whole family? Don’t forget your camera for those mountain-top photo opportunities!

Try something different. The summer holidays are a popular time to get together with loved ones at BBQs, picnics and weddings, but when September arrives there’s no need to say goodbye to your extended family for another year. As we’ve revealed, the French Alps can make for the perfect destination for a multi-generational holiday. They’re not far away either; Morzine, for example, is one of the most accessible ski resorts from the UK at approximately 1hr 15mins from Geneva Airport by car, and is nestled in the heart of the extensive Portes du Soleil ski area.