Nestled in the heart of the French Savoie, the resort of Arêches-Beaufort is one of skiing’s best kept secrets, combining the two massively underrated ski areas of Planay and Cuvy. Here, beautiful, wide, sun-drenched slopes offer panoramic views across Mont Blanc, and lengthy lift queues are a thing of the past.
And, for our family of four, it was the perfect choice for a winter break – a time to unwind, reconnect and enjoy being together.
With 50km of slopes across 1,300m of altitude, Arêches-Beaufort offers a wide variety for skiers of all abilities, without being so large that one accidental wrong turn can see you miles away across the mountain!
For younger children, the often empty slopes mean less worrying for parents about would-be racers flying over lips or around corners. Meanwhile, for any older children wanting to take their first few runs without Mum and Dad keeping watch right behind them, the smaller area size is ideal. The lift pass is also one of the cheapest we’ve come across in recent years, offering exceptional value, especially for a family.
The resort itself is a charming French village with a quiet, traditional feel. Granted, it’s not the place to be if you’re looking to party into the early hours, but for a wide range of great-value, quality restaurants and cosy spots for a post-ski drink or two, it’s got all you could ask for.
We chose to stay at La Clé des Cîmes, a collection of brand-new modern apartments just two minutes’ walk out of town (but with a handy ski bus stop right outside if you don’t fancy a stroll in your ski boots!). The quiet location allowed a great night’s sleep for all, while the spa, pool and kids club kept us all entertained each evening.
As a family, the self-catering element of these apartments was particularly important to us. A high-quality kitchen area meant we could be flexible with mealtimes, any dietary requirements could be met and we could venture out to enjoy the resort’s culinary offerings whenever we fancied.
Just 121km from Geneva, Arêches-Beaufort is easily accessible by plane. Or, for families like ours that might not want to face the stress of a busy airport, or the limits of luggage restrictions, Arêches-Beaufort is only 933km from Calais, making it easy to reach by car via the Eurotunnel.
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Dom and his family stayed with Peak Retreats in the 4★ self-catered apartments at Le Clé des CimesLa Clé des Cîmes in Arêches-Beaufort. Seven nights self-catered in a two-bedroom Confort apartment from £206pp* includes a return Eurotunnel crossing with a free upgrade to FlexiPlus.
*Above prices based on five people sharing a two-bedroom apartment (sleeps six) for low season. (Subject to availability, T&Cs apply. Fully ABTA bonded)
Peak Retreats | 023 9283 9310
