Families
AlpBase.com is run by a family and many of our guests are families. We have two young daughters and since we arrived here in 2003 we have tried out pretty much all the different areas and activities in this huge area. So we have lots to tell you about!
Vallouise, where we live, (population 600), is basically one big playground for kids, and being situated on a large mountain plateau, walking and biking picnics are all very easy to organise, literally from the doorstep. But this is just the beginning of your family adventures in the Hautes Alpes. The area around Vallouise is packed full, year round, with child-friendly activities including outdoor theatres, night-time spectaculars, and village fetes.
With all of our accommodation rentals we can provide the essentials for an outdoor family - travel cot, high chair, 3 wheel all terrain buggy, changing mat, sledges, books, and some toys when the going gets tough….for the parents! And if you want a day or a night off we are happy to baby-sit whether for 1 hour or a whole day. Just email us for details.
There are plenty of testimonials that you can read on the Read what our visitors say page.
But the one we really like is Matt Heasons' on this page of his blog:
http://www.heason.net/News_&_Blog/Blog/2010/10/01/
WINTER
Skiing with your children
Many people ask us at what age they should start their children skiing, and if it is possible to have a good ski holiday with young children. We would say that any children over 18 months should thoroughly enjoy themselves, plus there are enough facilities for the adults to have time for their own enjoyment.
Pelvoux Ski Resort and Puy-St-Vincent Ski Resort
We have plenty of experience and understanding of what constitutes a good day for all. We live 5 minutes from Pelvoux, our local ski resort, and only 15 minutes drive away from Puy-St-Vincent, winner of “Best Family Resort of the Year” – Golden Ski Award 2004.
So what’s available locally for children?Babies – 18months: Babysitting
18 months - 5 years: Snow garden / babysittingN.B. In the snow garden the children experience playing in the snow, snowmen, igloos, and are introduced to skis using various games. Inside they will be involved in various types of creative play. Price: Approx. €15-20 for half a day.
6 – 12 years: a) Mini Clubs - mostly during school holidays
N.B. These usually run between 11.00 – 16.30. There are different activities each day ranging from identifying animal tracks, snowshoeing, construction of proper igloos, husky sledge rides, trying local crafts such as pottery and wood engraving and trips out with the pisteurs who teach them about the mountains in winter such as snow conditions, and avalanche safety. Price: Approx. €25 per day.
b) Ski school
These are run through the Ecole Du Ski Francais (ESF) with many English speaking instructors, at Pelvoux, our local. This small friendly resort is really child-friendly, with access to the beginner’s slopes right by the car park. ESF ski school is also available up at Puy-St-Vincent (PYS), with a very large purpose-built children’s’ ski area.
For a definitive list of ski schools and crèches at Pelvoux and Puy-St-Vincent check out this page:
http://www.ifyouski.com/france/resorts/puy-saint-vincent/skischoolscreche.aspx
For further details on all our local ski resorts check out the tab "Areas" on this page of our website:
Downhill Ski and Board
Also see the Gallery section on this site and look under the “Families” section.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing:
We have over 25 km’s of prepared trails for both activities literally from our doorstep. Both skating and classic styles are catered for, as well as organised snowshoe safaris for little ones. There are also many kilometres of trails at PYS, Pelvoux, around Serre Chevalier and in the Queyras. You can hire all the necessary equipment for children from age 4 upwards. If you hire at La Montagne Blanche, our local outdoor gear shop, you get 10% discount if booking through AlpBase.com.
Other Winter Family Activities:
In addition to skiing, you have Motoneige (quad bikes on ice), skidoo rides, husky sledge rides, ice climbing (minimum age 12), swimming, ice skating, and of course the famous Serre Chevalier “Grotto De Glace” with fantastic animal ice sculptures. There are also 3 swimming pools locally, as well as a large leisure complex open 12 months of the year.
SUMMER
The mountains are a wonderful place for children, and it doesn't get much better for outdoor families than the Hautes Alpes, a giant amusement and discovery park that is well prepared to welcome children.
So what’s available locally for children in Summer?
SWIMMING POOLS
There are outside pools at Pelvoux, Puy-St-Vincent 1600, and Les Vigneaux, and inside pools in L’Argentiere and Briançon. For times and details ask at the Tourist Office in Vallouise, by the village fountain. Be aware for most indoor pools long shorts are not allowed for boys and men, only the Speedo trunks variety.
QUAD BIKING
This is available just off main road on right between Prelles and Briançon. Good value and the kids love it.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Vallouise has its own BMX park for children from age 3 upwards. After that there are kilometres of marked trails all over the Vallouise Valley. You'll find details in your AlpBase accommodation or on the Mountain Biking page of our site.
But if you want to know in advance just send us a message on our contact page:
http://www.alpbase.com/enquiries/addWHITE WATER RAFTING AND KAYAKING
At eight years old children can begin watersports with kayaking and rafting classes. We work with the best river guides in the Hautes Alpes. This is after all the centre of white water paddling in the whole of France with a huge network of rivers and rapids that are centred on the famous Durance River running right through the Southern French Alps.
To get further details send us a message on our contact page
MARMOTS
Take N94 towards Mont Dauphin ad just before take a left heading towards Eygliers, and stop on the second bend and whistle for them! Also half way up the Glacier Blanc walk you will find them.PUY-ST-VINCENT 1600 ACTIVITY CENTRE
There is a children’s activity centre at the ski station including an outdoor swimming pool, climbing wall, high level ropes courses and toboggan run for children. A great walk into the Narreyroux valley starts just 150m up the road from the station, and there is an ideal beginners/children’s Via Ferrata (Sentier de la Combe) for children from 5yrs. upwards on your right just 500m after you turn right at PSV 1400 heading for 1600.
WALKS AND OVERNIGHT CAMPS
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS - THE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF BRIANÇON
A unique opportunity for children to familiarise themselves with mountain folklore, and to express themselves through model making, wood carving etc
Tel: 0033 492 20 29 49VIA FERRATA AND CANYONING FROM 5YRS UPWARDS
Via Ferrata, meaning “The Iron Way” are walkways through the mountains that allow walkers to experience the fun and exhilaration of mountaineering that hitherto used to be the preserve of only experienced climbers, but in complete safety and with no more effort than a good walk. Canyoning is the fun new sport of descending huge waterfalls and gorges wearing wetsuits and climbing harnesses.
There are more than 20 Via Ferrata routes and the 5 canyons in the Ecrins. Many are possible for children from 5 yrs and upwards. The nearest Via Ferrata route for children (Sentier de la Combe – see above) is 10 minutes drive from us here in Vallouise. One of the other Via Ferrata we recommend just for young children is in L’Argentiere called L’Horloge, with an easy 5 minute access route.
We know all the local Via Ferrata and canyoning routes and have copies of the guidebook available free of charge so you can see and experience the thrills of these two exciting mountain sports. We can also arrange mountain guides to take you on such outings.
SOLDIERS AT MONT DAUPHIN
In the fortified village of Mont Dauphin near Guillestre children can discover France's most famous architect Vauban’s military hide away, and play at wargames. Afternoons only.
Tel: 0033 492 45 42 40SPORT ROCK CLIMBING
The Ecrins Massif is perfect for a climbing family in search of a wide spread of well-bolted routes at all grades and heights, starting from 5m. high crags at Fr.3 created specifically for children. But don’t worry, mum and dad, there are plenty of harder routes for you too!
N.B. Grimper Dans La Haut Val Durance is the local guidebook and covers all of the crags listed below. Available from us at a specially discounted price
1. Le Rocher qui répond – Vallée de la Claree. 45 minutes drive from AlpBase.com. A great crag for children. Secteur 3 has routes from Fr.3c to 4c. It’s a roadside crag above a forest where the children can play safely. And the routes are only 10m. above the forest. It is shady so cool in summer. Grades from Fr.3 to 7b
2. Les Traverses/La Vignette – Les Vigneaux. 10 minutes from AlpBase.com you’ll find 10 different sectors from V.Diff to 8a! All single pitch and well bolted. Secteur 5 is ideal for children.
3. Les Collets – Right by the town of L’Argentiere and only 15 minutes from Vallouise you’ll find single pitch climbs from UK 4a to 5a. An easy start to your week!
4. Le Chambon – Tramouillon St Crepin – A great single pitch crag ideal for kids and adults alike. Grades range from UK 3a to 5c. Easy for top roping and the children can watch the gliders take off from the nearby airfield. Go after 4pm to avoid PGL instructors and children!
5. Chanteloube - Tramouillon St Crepin – Another ideal crag for children. Grades range from UK 3a to 5c. 28 climbs all well bolted.
6. Reotier – A fun series of single pitch climbs set on 15m. high boulders way up above Guillestre. Grades range from UK 3a to 6a. Go for the view not the climbing. Okay for children
7. Rocher Baron (1360m.) – A big 3 secteur crag offering quartzite routes from 4 to 7c+. In summer it can be hot unless a breeze is blowing or you go round to the 1st secteur which is west facing and so sheltered from sun. Otherwise go early or late in day and take a picnic, it’s great for kids. Highly recommend as an intro to the area, very popular with the Brits. Be warned the dirt track that accesses the crag is quite rough for cars!
8. Mont dauphin Fort – Secteur 3 El Pouding: NW facing so cool in summer, great routes on conglomerate rock with routes from 4b to 7b+. Check out the marmots afterwards on side road up to Eygliers
9. Prelles - Mini alpine rock climbs for children. Ask Jerry at AlpBase.com for details
FOREST ADVENTURE PLAYGROUNDS
There are now several forest adventure playgrounds in the Hautes-Alpes. The nearest to us is Forest Sensations up at Puy-St-Vincent (15 minutes drive). Forest trees are connected by bridges, ropes, and cables, and the course becomes more challenging the further you go. Children can swing through the trees, fully equipped as little adventurers (gloves, helmets etc). Full safety precautions are observed, and help is on hand for the more tricky manoeuvres. For five year olds upwards and from €15 per child.
Site : http://www.foretsensations.fr
E-mail : foretsensations@gmail.com
Tel: 0033 681 50 30 29
BOTANICAL WALKS AROUND SERRE-CHEVALIER
The botanical paths of Serre-Chevalier offer families an opportunity to discover an incredible wealth of alpine plant life. With the help of the identification panels follow the trail through larch forests and identify over 160 different species.
Tel: 0033 492 24 98 98
