Share this
No crowds, no queues — Montgenèvre is a quiet village on the French–Italian border with wide, open slopes, a laid-back feel… oh, and 400km to ski.
Before we booked anything, I did a lot of research into finding a genuinely family-friendly beginner ski resort. I wasn’t looking for somewhere flashy, just a place where the kids could learn comfortably and we could all enjoy the experience without stress. Interestingly, one name kept coming up again and again: Montgenèvre.
Family skiing in Montgenèvre
From the moment we arrived, it felt different — in the best possible way. It’s not one of the big-name resorts you constantly hear about, and that turned out to be exactly its charm.
Montgenèvre (1850-2648m) may be part of the vast Milky Way ski area (400km), but it feels worlds apart in atmosphere. Compared to nearby Sauze d’Oulx, which can feel lively and crowded, Montgenèvre offers a quieter, more relaxed experience. There was no overwhelming bustle, no endless queues, just a relaxed, welcoming village sitting quietly on the French-Italian border, surrounded by wide, sunny pistes.
A stress-free start
Travelling with kids can be chaotic, but Montgenèvre is just 1hr20 from Turin Airport which made things surprisingly easy. The village itself felt safe and friendly — everything is compact and walkable. Our accommodation was just a short stroll from the lifts, ski school, and rental shops. No long bus rides or logistical headaches — which is priceless when you’re juggling ski boots, gloves, and impatient children.
Perfect slopes for families
One of the things that really struck me about Montgenèvre was how it completely redefines the beginner experience. In many resorts, learning to ski means being confined to a handful of nursery slopes at the bottom of the mountain, repeating the same short runs over and over. Here, it felt entirely different.
Wide, gentle green runs stretch all the way down from the top of the mountain (Les Gondrans, 2455m). Meaning beginners aren’t stuck at the base — they get to enjoy the views, the variety, and the real sense of journey that comes with skiing from top to bottom. It made the whole experience feel far more exciting and, importantly, far less limiting.
Our favourite runs — Crete, Sagnes and Lac — are wide, open pistes and, more often than not, we had them almost entirely to ourselves, which made them perfect for practicing our turns and really enjoying the freedom of the mountain.
Montgenèvre’s ski area spans two peaks and has a wide selection of runs to suit all levels. One of the highlights of our trip was exploring the wider Milky Way ski area. The idea that we could ski from France into Italy sounded exciting and it absolutely lived up to it. Crossing the border on skis felt like an adventure in itself and it’s these little moments that made the trip feel special.
Federico Cerutti, Marketing and Sales Manager for Montgenèvre ski area says, ‘The resort is unique for its cultural experience: it is a journey on skis between France and Italy, offering the best of both countries.’
The ski day
We eased into each day with an unhurried breakfast, watching the lifts begin to turn at 9am from our apartment. Once we were ready, we’d gradually bundle ourselves into ski gear and head down to the ski lockers (an absolute game-changer with kids). We’d be on our first chairlift by around 10am, which felt like perfect timing — the sun had climbed a little higher, taking the edge off that early morning chill that can make the first lift of the day feel especially brisk.
With four ski days, we decided to pay a little extra and book two-hour private lessons and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. The kids progressed so much faster, and, more importantly, they absolutely loved it. Our Apeak instructor, Tom, struck the perfect balance: he knew exactly which runs to choose, how far to push them, and how to keep everything fun and engaging. By the second day, they were already skiing through trees and tackling little jumps.
More than just skiing
Montgenèvre isn’t just about skiing, which was a welcome surprise. One early evening, after a day on the slopes, we went sledging. Another day, we explored the village, stopping for hot chocolate and crêpes. Montgenèvre also has a year-round toboggan, the Luge Monty Express, known as the longest luge in France, and offers a 1,400m descent with a 300m vertical drop.
Evenings in Montgenèvre were calm and cosy. Instead of crowded nightlife, we found relaxed restaurants where we could unwind as a family. The food was hearty and comforting — exactly what you want after a day in the snow. One of our favourite restaurants was Le Graal Cafe directly opposite the slopes, a firm favourite with the kids thanks to its delicious crêpes.
Looking back, what made Montgenèvre stand out wasn’t just the skiing — it was how easy and enjoyable everything felt as a family. There was no stress, just quality time together in a beautiful setting. Would we go back? Absolutely. In fact, we’re already talking about it.
March 24, 2026
