Ski holidays March in Chamonix with kids

Having looked at various early spring ski holidays, we opted for March in Chamonix with kids.  A place we loved pre-kids and been few times for long week-ends with friends, with the toddler in tow the question was more around the comprehensive package offered by Esprit holidays and a tailor made week. But with grandparents missing badly the little one and similar economics, we opted for a lovely flat on Homeaway, flights to Geneva for all the family and renting a car European side; the ultimate result was a lovely multi generation ski holidays in Chamonix in March.

March in Chamonix with toddler

March in Chamonix with toddler

Through a combination of miles and Amex companion flight, we booked business class and made the best out of the lounges before the flights. Given the abundance of flights, we picked just after lunch timing, with quick toddler lunch at the lounge and nap during the flight and managed to coordinate well grown up lunch only with plenty of champagne and a sleeping toddler. Little R seemed to enjoy the lounges very much, explored the shelves,  kids area and socialized with the personnel hoovering. In all fairness though, Heathrow terminal 5 has one cool soft play area and probably he would have been equally entertained. We managed to squeeze in just 10 minutes before boarding, a couple of rides on the slides and mocking around funny shapes and other kids – of course little R v disappointed when we had to go.

The transfers to Chamonix with kids in tow were relatively straight forward, 1 hour and a bit each way. We rented a Nissan 4×4 panoramic roof to fit in 4 grownups, 1 child car seat and the luggage and worked out well. When coming back though French side of the airport felt less smooth,  many passages not baby/ lots of luggage friendly and with elevators missing from few places felt bit more stressful, physical and time consuming. Wish we’d given it more time.

The flat we rented in Chamonix was right between Medclub and the old cobbled pedestrian street, great location for popping out quickly to shopping, restaurants,  play areas,  ski school and sledging area. For a week we spent the mornings with our toddler,  mocking around in the snow,  running around the winter garden of the ski school and with a couple of sledges.

Chamonix with kids – jardin d’hiver Ski holidays in March

Little R took some interest in the snow, at the beginning a bit annoyed at his ski outfit, one day figuring out the use of mittens,  couple of days falling asleep on the sledge (Mont Blanc fresh air must have had something to do with it!), couple of days playing with various figures of the garden and most of the time observing ski lifts and other snow specific devices.

An hour out and about on the kids slopes sufficing most days, 11:30 heading back to the flat for lunch and parents heading to the slopes. So parents managed to enjoy 5 hours on the slopes most of the days,  each day we aimed for an hour and a bit before lunch and a couple after.

Chamonix with kids

Chamonix with kids – La Caleche

Chamonix in March weather has been fantastic, we ticked all our desired boxes: 1 day of fairytale snowing and 5 days of sun. Our favourite ski runs on this occassion (shorter ski days):

– Brevent Flegere – the easiest access from Chamonix centre. Had one lunch at 2000 Altitude – started with a typical savoyard croute and vin chaud.

– Flegere – linking it to Brevent during the weekend and making the most of La Chavanne – cool crowd & vibe, live dj and a jacuzzi – very appealing when you are sunbathing over champagne and Mont Blanc views

– Les Huches – lots of wide slopes with the our favourite restaurant on piste in the area – Les Vielles Luges. Cash only.

– Les Grands Montets – the highest and probably the best slopes piste and off piste, starting from Argentiere. On Sunday, live dj and saxophone at Desperado mountain lounge, lots of sunchairs and good crowd enjoying the music & the snow.

Other Chamonix with kids activities that we tested and loved:

– Parc luges/ sledge park play area. Some slides and seesaws plus other toddlers. The actual luge/ sledges going up not recommended before 3 years old.

– Carnival and other street shows. Do consult the events calendar when you arrive. Of course Dr Jivago and its beautiful horse are impossible to be missed and always a pleasure to observe their daily changing outfits.

– La Caleche, a fondues, raclettes, tartiflettes institution. Great place to explore with a baby off peak times with many treasures and wonders in funny shapes and forms i.e. ancient devices such as typing machines, stuffed animals, various vases and containers.  Don’t hesitate to also venture outside savoyard cheeses, this time round we enjoyed quite a lot the beef bourgnion and stuffed truffle ravioli.

Chamonix with kids dining: La Caleche

La Caleche dining

Skiing in Chamonix in March was just amazing weather wise: so much sun and mild at the bottom, perfect for skiing on top and glaciers! For more family ski inspiration mid-April head for Val Thorens in here;  dedicated article for Tignes with kids and for Courchevel at Fahrenheit 7 in here. All Covid restrictions in France have been lifted on March 14th 2022 other than wearing masks on public transport and in certain public places such as clinics and hospitals. Therefore, if you meet the travel entry requirements there are no further restrictions on your holiday, hurray and fingers crossed it stays this way!