What to do with tiny tots in the Nice Côte d’Azur Ski resorts

This winter, you’ve decided to go skiing with your family. But a doubt crosses your mind, will the week be adapted to your youngest? Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through all the best things to do with “little ones”. For an unforgettable week in the resort with lots of memories in your suitcases!

From the age of 3, depending on the resort, you can introduce your child to the pleasure of skiing in complete safety with the ski schools.

The Jardin des Neiges is the ideal place to discover the activity and then improve your skills. Children learn while having fun with instructors who are attentive and experienced in welcoming the youngest.

At the end of the week, the Piou-Piou à l’Ourson medal ceremony is eagerly awaited and allows all the progress made to be recognised.

In Auron, the French Ski School (ESF) and the crèche have joined forces to offer you a day of skiing with lessons at the ESF in the morning and transfer to the crèche for lunch and an afternoon of rest and games at the crèche.

At La Colmiane, the Piou-Piou club is a safe and fun kindergarten. With the mini ski lift, conveyor belt and turnstile, toddlers can discover the joys of sliding, their first speeds, their first turns and their first little falls.

• ESF Auron +33(0)4 93 23 02 53 or contact@esfauron.com
• ESF Isola 2000 +33 (0)4 93 23 28 00 or contact@esf-isola2000.com
• ESI Isola 2000 +33 (0)4 22 49 00 22 or contact@esi-isola2000.com
• ESF La Colmiane +33 (0)4 93 02 83 57 or contact@esf-la-colmiane.com
• Cours de ski Roubion : information office +33 (0)4 93 02 10 30
• Cours de ski Turini Camp d’Argent : information +33 (0)9 88 77 47 13 / +33 (0)4 93 54 15 45

Toboggan down the slopes

For your first gliding sensations, our secure slopes await you. From slopes suitable for the youngest to steeper runs for the oldest, there is something for everyone in our resorts, whether you want to go gently or at full speed.

You can hire sledges in the sports shops and ski rental companies.

Some hotels and guesthouses can also lend them to you, so ask before you leave.

On the week’s programme, you will find the activities proposed on the sledging slopes, for example, the Snake Gliss Découverte, at Isola 2000. This system of articulated sledges is shaped like a snake and you can enjoy this activity as a family with children from 4 years old. A guide is on hand to steer the Snake Gliss, so let yourself be carried along.

Swimming-pools

Our aquatic complexes are waiting for you to relax after skiing or to occupy children and adults who do not ski.

In Auron, Isola village or in Saint-Martin-Vésubie at the Vésubia Moutain Park, the pools are suitable for all ages, from 6 months. Children’s rates and free entry for the under three’s are available.

Swimming, water games and a comforting break in a busy week, the pool is the place to be with your family. Every week, activities or baby swimming time slots can be offered at the Vésubia Montain Park or at Aquavallée in Isola.

In Valdeblore, the Bolline swimming pool welcomes the whole family in a bubble of relaxation with its sliding roof and a paddling pool for the little ones.

• Vésubia Mountain Park in Saint-Martin-Vésubie
• Aquavallée in Isola 
• Auron swimming-pool

How about a visit to a farm?

In the Haut-Pays niçois, many farms welcome you to sell your produce and see the animals. What an enriching activity and what beautiful memories for the children!

In La Roche, near La Colmiane, the Mercantour Farm is a haven of peace that develops fun activities for children. For half a day, your little ones can get into the shoes of a farmer and help feed the animals.

Collecting eggs, giving carrots to the rabbits, waving to the lambs, the children will not be at the end of their surprises for a total immersion!

At Isola 2000, every day at 6 pm, we take you on board for the calves’ feeding. Monique, Jacques and Jordan will be delighted to immerse you in the world of pastoralism in the heart of the mountain culture.

• La Ferme du Mercantour à Valdeblore
• La Vacherie d’Isola 2000

Sleigh rides with dogs or horses

Get ready for an adventure!

At La Colmiane, the horse-drawn carriages and sleighs take you and your family around the resort to the rhythm of the horses. A good opportunity for the little ones to get to know this gentle and patient animal.

• Ferme du Mercantour – Réservation au 06 18 97 03 59

For sled dog lovers, you can take even the smallest ones for a warm baptism with you on the sled in Auron or Isola 2000.

You will be seated comfortably and guided by the musher on safe tracks close to the resort. Don’t forget to cuddle the huskies and Malamutes and take a souvenir photo, the children love it.

Good to know : As this is a very popular activity, it is advisable to book your dog sledding experience well in advance, so as not to miss out on what will remain your best memory of the holiday!

In Isola 2000, the kennel of the white wolf sled can also be visited by reservation for a moment of cuddling with the dogs.

• The Wild Spark à Auron : Reservation +33 (0)6 47 55 07 83
• Le traîneau des Loups blancs à Isola 2000 : Reservation +33 (0)6 29 46 29 46

Enchantment with the wolves of the Mercantour

What better way to discover our mountains than a trip to Boréon to meet the wolves?

The Alpha Park welcomes families and children of all ages to introduce you to the European and Iberian wolf packs present on site.

You will meet a keeper who will give you a guided tour of the park and an educational presentation on the way wolves live in the wild and in captivity. He will explain his work and you will observe the wolf in its environment.

Games in the snow and trips around the resort

With a little one, the smallest outing in the resort is already an adventure.

Take advantage of your stay to take the children to play in the snow, to touch it, to roll around in it… What a delight!

I still remember snowball fights with my older brothers and our afternoons spent printing our silhouettes on the snowy coat. We used to call it “making angels”. What fun and what good memories!

You can join the snow front and the pedestrian routes in the resorts to enjoy these good times together.

Top tip: In Isola 2000, the children’s village with its butcher’s shop, grocery shop and post office is located on the snow front, and children can build igloos in their mini village.

Activities all season long

Our resorts welcome you with lots of events throughout the winter season.

It starts with the Fééries de Noël in Auron and the Christmas Festival in La Colmiane. Illuminations, Father Christmas passing by in a sleigh, everything is done to fill the children with wonder.

In all the resorts, the ski instructors also offer you magnificent torchlight descents to admire with your family.

The programme is full throughout the winter with highlights during each school holiday period.

A word of advice: once you arrive at the resort, stop by the information desk to pick up the programme. It’s a mine of information to help you have fun and enjoy activities from a very young age.

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