Heading to the mountains with children means finding the right balance: gentle slopes for the first turns, reliable childcare for the youngest, activities for days off the skis and a home where everyone comes together in the evening. Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais-les-Bains tick all these boxes, each in its own way, in winter as in summer.
Here are our HOMKA team’s pointers for planning a family stay in the Pays du Mont-Blanc: ski schools, beginner areas, childcare, sledging, swimming, easy walks and practical tips, with information checked with the tourist offices and ski schools.
Which village should families choose?
The three villages almost touch and share the same large ski area, but they do not quite suit the same families.
- Combloux for peace and quiet and skiing on a human scale. The tourist office describes its Portes du Mont-Blanc ski area as “family-friendly par excellence”, with a tourist daycare at the foot of the slopes at La Cry and, in summer, the biotope lake.
- Megève for a lively village you can explore on foot and the widest choice of non-ski activities, many of them gathered at Le Palais. The ESF kids’ clubs welcome little ones from age 3.
- Saint-Gervais for a village that is lively all year round, the Marmottons beginner area reached by gondola, the thermal baths and the Mont-Blanc Tramway, which fascinates children in every season.
For a fuller comparison, read our article Megève, Combloux or Saint-Gervais: where to stay?.
Winter with the family: first turns and kids’ clubs
Megève: Piou-Piou clubs and sledging areas
In Megève, the ESF takes children from their third birthday for Piou-Piou introductory lessons. The La Caboche Kids Club, reserved for 3 to 6-year-olds, has playrooms, a dining area, a nap corner and a snow garden: it is reached from the village centre by the Chamois gondola, or from Mont d’Arbois by the Rocharbois cable car. For winter 2026-2027, it opens from 20 December 2026 to 2 April 2027, for full or half days, with or without lunch, and booking is required. The ESF also runs full-day group lessons with lunch, starting from La Caboche or Mont d’Arbois.
For sliding without skis, Megève Tourisme lists the sledging areas at Pré Saint-Amour and La Livraz, as well as the Ours des Prés play area. The sectors best suited to beginners are detailed in our guide to skiing in Megève.
Combloux: Gardi-Ski at the foot of the slopes
The ESF Combloux welcomes children from age 3 at the Club Piou-Piou. Its signature formula, Gardi-Ski, is designed for 3 to 5-year-olds: 1 hour 30 of skiing with an instructor, then daycare for the rest of the day. A “Skieurs” formula also exists for 5 to 10-year-olds, with a 3-hour lesson on the beginner slopes.
For free sledging, the free sledging areas at La Cry and Cuchet are reserved for children, under their parents’ supervision. The whole ski area is covered in our guide to skiing in Combloux.
Saint-Gervais: the Marmottons and the Bettex Club Piou Piou
At Le Bettex, the ESF Saint-Gervais Club Piou Piou welcomes children from age 3, right at the foot of the slopes, with a fun learning zone and a chalet for an afternoon snack. A little higher up, the Mont d’Arbois beginner area, “Les Marmottons”, is reached by the Bettex-Mont d’Arbois gondola, at 1,840 metres: gentle slopes, magic carpets and views of the Mont-Blanc range. Next to it, the Charlotte la Marmotte spot brings together a fun slope, slides and picnic areas, open to skiers and pedestrians alike.
The resort also offers children from age 2 free, secure sledging areas at Le Bettex and Plateau de la Croix. For passes and access, see our guide to skiing in Saint-Gervais.
Childcare and kids’ clubs
This is often what makes or breaks a week. All three villages have facilities, but places are limited during school holidays.
- In Megève, a tourist crèche opens during the winter season for children aged 10 months to 4 years. During school holidays, the Meg’Loisirs centre welcomes 3 to 12-year-olds from 8 am to 6.30 pm, in two groups: the “Lutins” (3-5 years) and the “Canaillous” (6-12 years).
- In Combloux, the municipal tourist daycare Les Loupiots, at the foot of the slopes at La Cry, welcomes 3 to 10-year-olds, with or without skiing, from 19 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, six days a week (closed on Saturdays). Outside winter, the Les Copains leisure centre looks after 3 to 11-year-olds during the summer, autumn and spring holidays; the tourist office advises booking ideally two weeks ahead.
- In Saint-Gervais, the Garderie des Neiges de Saint-Nicolas, at the foot of the slopes, takes 2 to 6-year-olds, and La Planète des Mômes, a leisure centre in the thermal park at Le Fayet, welcomes 3 to 13-year-olds during the shorter school holidays. The tourist office strongly recommends booking before your stay.
Summer with the family: swimming, tramway and fresh air
Swimming opposite Mont-Blanc
In Combloux, the biotope lake is the image of summer: water filtered by aquatic plants, with no chemical treatment, facing Mont-Blanc. It opens from mid-June to early September, with limited capacity; during school holidays, it is best to book your entry online. Just above it, the Mini-parc aventures is free to use for 3 to 10-year-olds.
In Megève, Le Palais, open all year round in the heart of the village, brings together an indoor pool, an outdoor Olympic pool, a water play area, an Olympic ice rink and a climbing wall. In Saint-Gervais, the open-air pool has a 43 m² fun pool designed for families.
The Mont-Blanc Tramway
Departing from Le Fayet, the Mont-Blanc Tramway, the highest railway in France, climbs to the Nid d’Aigle in summer and to the Bellevue plateau in winter. For children, it is an adventure in itself. Good to know: tickets are free for children under 5, on presentation of proof of age, and only at the ticket office. In July and August, book several days ahead. More outing ideas are in what to do in Saint-Gervais.
Wheels and four-season toboggan runs
Combloux’s free pump track and the green loop of the Mont-Blanc Bike Park are perfect for trying mountain biking as a family. In Megève, the Jaillet four-season toboggan runs in summer and winter depending on conditions, and the Jaillet sector lends itself to relaxed days with young children. Find the full programme in what to do in Combloux and what to do in Megève.
Easy walks with children
You do not need to set off for the whole day to see beautiful scenery. In Megève, the Croix du Bouchet loop can be done without leaving the pushchair. In Saint-Gervais, you take the gondola up and follow a wide track to Lac de Joux, with Mont-Blanc as a backdrop, a family favourite according to the tourist office. In Combloux, short loops leave from the centre towards benches with views of the massif.
In winter, most of these outings can be done on snowshoes, on foot on groomed snow or with a professional guide. Distances, elevation and starting points are detailed in our selection of easy hikes in Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais.
Our practical tips for a successful stay
- Book lessons and childcare early. Piou-Piou clubs, Gardi-Ski and daycares are often full during the winter school holidays.
- Choose your accommodation according to the children’s ages. With little ones, being close to a snow front, a gondola or a shuttle stop changes the pace of the day.
- Plan fallback activities. Le Palais in Megève, the indoor ice rink in Saint-Gervais, the children’s sessions at the thermal baths: rainy days go by faster.
- Look into family lift-pass offers. The ski areas offer deals when several passes are bought together; the conditions change every season, so check them on the official websites before booking.
FAQ – Family holiday in Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais
From what age can a child take ski lessons?
In all three villages, the ESF Piou-Piou clubs welcome children from age 3. In Megève, the ESF specifies that it only accepts children who have turned 3.
Is there childcare for holidaymakers?
Yes. Megève opens a tourist crèche in winter for 10 months to 4-year-olds, Combloux its Les Loupiots daycare for 3 to 10-year-olds at the foot of the slopes, and Saint-Gervais the Garderie des Neiges de Saint-Nicolas for 2 to 6-year-olds. Places are limited: book before you arrive.
Which village is best for young children?
Combloux, for its family ski area, its daycare at the foot of the slopes and its biotope lake in summer. Saint-Gervais is a good alternative with the Marmottons and the Mont-Blanc Tramway, and Megève appeals to families who want a lively village and plenty of non-ski activities.
What can you do with children when the weather is bad?
The pool, ice rink and climbing wall at Le Palais in Megève, the indoor ice rink in Saint-Gervais or the children’s sessions at the Saint-Gervais thermal baths, accompanied by an adult.
Do children pay for the Mont-Blanc Tramway?
Tickets are free for children under 5, with proof of age and only at the ticket office. Above that age, a child fare applies: see the official tramway website for this season’s prices.
A family stay with HOMKA
A well-located chalet or apartment, with room for everyone, remains the best base for a family holiday. Discover our chalets and apartments, and browse our pages dedicated to Megève, Combloux and Saint-Gervais.
During your stay, our concierge service can arrange, on request and subject to availability, private transfers, restaurant bookings, ski lessons with certified instructors, equipment delivered to your accommodation, babysitting, in-chalet massages or a private chef for a family dinner.
Sources
- Piou-Piou introduction from age 3: megeve-ski.com (ESF Megève), “Initiation Piou Piou”
- La Caboche Kids Club, ages, access, 2026-2027 dates, formulas: megeve-tourisme.fr, “Club ski Enfants (Pioupiou) La Caboche”
- Group lessons at La Caboche or Mont d’Arbois, Pré Saint-Amour and La Livraz sledging areas, Ours des Prés play area: megeve-tourisme.fr, “Skier en famille”
- Tourist crèche and Meg’Loisirs: megeve-tourisme.fr, “Crèches et garderies”
- Le Palais, facilities and year-round opening: megeve-tourisme.fr, “Complexe sportif du Palais”
- ESF Combloux, Club Piou-Piou and Gardi-Ski: combloux.com, “École du ski – ESF Combloux” and “Gardi-ski – Club piou piou”
- Les Loupiots daycare, Gardi-Ski and Skieurs formulas, Les Copains leisure centre: combloux.com, “Garderies”
- Sledging areas, biotope lake, Mini-parc aventures, pump track, Mont-Blanc Bike Park: combloux.com (see our article what to do in Combloux)
- Club Piou Piou at Le Bettex: saintgervais.com, “Club Piou Piou au Bettex – Cours de ski à partir de 3 ans”
- Marmottons beginner area, Charlotte la Marmotte spot: saintgervais.com, “Le terrain de jeu rêvé des familles”
- Free sledging areas from age 2 at Le Bettex and Plateau de la Croix: ski-saintgervais.com, “Activités et animations”
- Garderie des Neiges de Saint-Nicolas, La Planète des Mômes, booking advice: saintgervais.com, “Accueil des enfants” and related listings
- Saint-Gervais swimming pool and fun pool: saintgervais.com, “Où se baigner à Saint-Gervais l’été ?”
- Mont-Blanc Tramway, free for under-5s: tramwaydumontblanc.fr; Nid d’Aigle and Bellevue seasons: combloux.com, “5 good reasons to take the Mont-Blanc Tramway”
