Where should you ski?

A useful choice when you want the children's lesson, ski hire and the starting lifts around one base above town.

Getting there. By rail, arrive at Le Fayet, then take Le Valléen to town and L’Alpin to Le Bettex. Meet around the ESF chalet at Le Bettex, at the top of L’Alpin. Follow the meeting point for your booked course before taking another lift.

Before you go. ESF describes access to Le Bettex by L’Alpin for non-skiing parents. Ask about the accompanying-parent ticket when arranging your child's course.

Keep a young child's first ski sessions in the village, with a choice of small practice slopes for the rest of the family.

Getting there. The Kids Club meets at the Les Moulins button lift. Les Esserts and Médran are different starting points; the school's main office address is not the Kids Club drop-off.

Before you go. The school asks parents to stay outside the lesson area and suggests the Moulins restaurant terrace for a view of the snow garden.

Choose the Centre snow garden for a village lesson base. Solaise gives the family a separate way to practise higher up and ride down together.

Getting there. ESF has gardens at the Centre and La Daille village snow fronts. Check your booking: some dates use Centre even for guests staying in La Daille. The Centre office is the orientation point; your course confirmation identifies the garden's meeting sign.

Before you go. ESF's published full-day Jardin des Neiges product excludes lunch: parents collect at 12:30 and return at 14:00. Check the arrangements on your chosen course before planning your own ski day.

A handy option for a family with different skiing levels: younger children have a snow garden by the lake, while stronger skiers can explore from nearby Prarion.

Getting there. Meet at the Club Piou Piou beside Lac des Chavants in the Prarion district. This is a different place from the Prarion gondola entrance. Other group lessons may meet at the bottom or top of the gondola.

Before you go. Use the garden's address for Piou Piou drop-off. For any other lesson, read the meeting instructions before boarding Prarion; the school uses different places for different courses.