Ski Famille review – Reberty, Les Menuires

On our recent #twiskitrip to the Three Valleys (more about that here) we had the pleasure to stay at one of the Ski Famille chalets in Reberty, Les Menuires. Les Menuires is a new resort this season for Ski Famille who have operated solely in Les Gets since 1990. They now have three chalets located in the heart of the Reberty area, Chalets Katie 1 and 2 and Chalet Eva, all located about 40m from Boyes blue piste. We were staying in Chalet Katie 2.

The week we visited (12th December) was the first week of the season that the Three Valleys was fully open and thus we had the chalet to ourselves. Having never been to Les Menuires before, but having heard a lot about it, we were expecting the 60′s styling of the resort, but as we headed up towards Reberty the buildings got more aesthetically pleasing. Reberty itself at 2000m is a development of traditional chalets, many of which are used by British Tour Operators. Once in Reberty, you really have no need to go down to Les Menuires at all, there is a fabulous bar / restaurant 30 metres from the chalet, La Ferme du Reberty, a Sherpa shop around the corner and a ski hire shop pretty much next door to the chalets.

Chalets Katie 1 and 2 are similar in layout and work really well for families. With a good mix of family suites, doubles, twins and triples, all ensuite, all families can be accommodated in either of the Chalet Katies which sleep 12 / 13. Alternatively Ski Famille also have Chalet Eva in Reberty, just across the road and this sleeps 21.

The Ski Famille service is perhaps what sets out this company from other non family specialists. Everything is set up to ensure that parents and children have a great ski holidays. I don’t have children myself, but have organised and been on many a ski holiday with friends that do have children, and understand the issues that are faced before and during the holiday. With our groups we’ve experienced problems with ski company creches, resort creches, ski classes, parents spending more time with children than on skis, evening meal issues etc. But no longer will this happen, as Ski Famille shall be our new saviour.

Within the price you pay for Ski Famille they provide childcare between 9 and 5 for 5 days of the ski holiday. For younger children the time is spent playing in the on site Ski Famille creche with the childcarers (carers are a mix of qualified nannies, teachers and nurses). For older children they are taken to and from the local ski school and whilst not in ski school entertained. This all means that you can have a worry free days skiing knowing your children are being well looked after. No traipsing back and forwards to ski schools! One day a week the childcarers have a well earned day off so you can have the opportunity to see your childrens new skills on the slopes! All this activity is eased along by the extremely experienced resort manager Kirsty, so you can ensure that everything will go exactly to plan.

On our week we were looked after by chalet host Frankie, who at 18 was straight out of school. However, boy could she cook well, having gone on a cookery course over the summer. I simply have to mention that we had the best scones ever on our last day! Ski Famille offers half board including breakfast, cold and a choice of eggs, afternoon tea, a pre-dinner drink and a three course dinner with a choice of wines. Children can be catered for in an earlier meal setting as required. All the food was fresh and compared to other ski companies I’ve stayed with seemed more nutritious. However even despite this I’m sure I had to let the belt out a couple of notches by the end of the week!

I’ve not even had time to mention what great skiing you’ll find in Les Menuires itself and in the rest of the Three Valleys. The link over to other Three Valleys resorts is easy by the Bruyeres 1 and 2 lifts at the bottom of Boyes blue (which runs 40m from the chalet), this lift and following ski down can take you into Val Thorens in less than half an hour and Meribel Mottaret (via Plan des Mains chairlift) in around 40 minutes, assuming no major lift queues. You can find more about skiing in all the Three Valleys ski resorts in our #twiskitrip ski reports here.

All in all we had a great week at Chalet Katie, with a great location and great staff really making this week such good fun. I’d recommend Ski Famille to anyone looking to holiday with children, this could possibly be the best ever ski holiday decision you make. Thanks Ski Famille for a great stay, and expect a call next time we’re off skiing with friends (and children)!

Should you want any further information on Ski Famille, just visit their website www.skifamille.co.uk, phone them on 0845 64 437 64 or check out their best deals on their twitter feed www.twitter.com/skifamille.