Good resort for non-skiing grandparents and a little baby?

After missing out on skiing last year due to being pregnant (my other half still managed a sneaky trip while I was stuck on the sofa!) I'm desperate to get back on the slopes. My brilliant plan is to take the baby's grandparents to help look after the little one who will be about 10 months when we go.

Can anyone recommend a French resort with nice character and atmosphere so that the grandparents can enjoy their holiday too? Somewhere with nice cafe's, shops, walking, swimming pool and maybe dog sledding would be fantastic. It would also be great to be not too far from an airport or from a Eurostar station.

Thanks so much

Innsbruck Austria is MUCH better value than France, Innsbruck is a proper city, with Skiing accesible from the centre via a funicular and 2 cable cars.

Hi Louski

I'd thoroughly recommend Les Carroz D'Araches part of the Grand Massif. It is a traditional French family resort, where life still revolves around the village square. The tourist office organise family entertainment on Mon thru Fri evenings, consisting of singers, puppets, musicians etc. and on Monday nights welcome guests to the village with free hot wine and hot chocolate.

There are many good shops, restaurants, coffee shops and a couple of bars, however, Les Carroz isn't known for its nightlife if that's what you are seeking.

The skiing is great with 265 kms of piste to play on plus lots of off piste for the more adventurous. Grandparents can ride the telecabine to the top of the mountain and meet you in the nearby restaurant for hot chocolate or lunch.

Les Carroz is only 45km from Geneva airport so a quick and easy transfer time.
Catherine

Thanks so much for the suggestions - I will have a closer look at both places.

Les Carroz sounds idyllic - and meeting up for hot chocolate and lunch at the top of the telecabine is just what I'd imagined, thanks Catherine!

Lou

Hi - can I be really cheeky...! I have been going to Samoens and Morillon (next to Les Carroz) for years and it is indeed great - Samoens is a lovely town and the |Grand Massif's a great area. I am currently where you were last year - sofa bound with a bump and planning the next trip in Feb 2011! I hope you have a fantastic time whereever you end up... and would you mind letting me know if it works out ok taking such a young 'un skiing??
Thanks a million!
Eleanor

louski wrote:After missing out on skiing last year due to being pregnant (my other half still managed a sneaky trip while I was stuck on the sofa!) I'm desperate to get back on the slopes. My brilliant plan is to take the baby's grandparents to help look after the little one who will be about 10 months when we go.

Can anyone recommend a French resort with nice character and atmosphere so that the grandparents can enjoy their holiday too? Somewhere with nice cafe's, shops, walking, swimming pool and maybe dog sledding would be fantastic. It would also be great to be not too far from an airport or from a Eurostar station.

Thanks so much

Samoens

louski wrote:After missing out on skiing last year due to being pregnant (my other half still managed a sneaky trip while I was stuck on the sofa!) I'm desperate to get back on the slopes. My brilliant plan is to take the baby's grandparents to help look after the little one who will be about 10 months when we go.

Can anyone recommend a French resort with nice character and atmosphere so that the grandparents can enjoy their holiday too? Somewhere with nice cafe's, shops, walking, swimming pool and maybe dog sledding would be fantastic. It would also be great to be not too far from an airport or from a Eurostar station.

Thanks so much

Megeve comes to mind, for the large range of tourist activities on offer.

The Trois Vallees used to offer a pedestrian lift pass - with the number of gondolas you could meet for lunch at a different restaurant each day, and the GPs could get between Meribel and Courchevel easily.

Zermatt would also be good.