Across the Alps, February offers some of the best conditions of the winter ski season – but it’s also one of the busiest months. The UK half term school holiday falls in February, which frees up parents and children to hit the slopes for family adventure together. There are usually good-value deals to be found towards the beginning and end of the month especially, but families looking to keep hold of their budget could also consider an Easter break – prices are lower, but the snow isn’t quite as good.
Enjoy family-friendly skiing in February
The half term week is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to explore the Alps as a family, and at this time of year the snow is in great condition. Learner-friendly ski resorts across the Alps are home to experienced ski schools with skilled instructors on hand to help you or the kids sharpen your skills on the snow.
Equally, childcare facilities are in full flow – with independent nannies and in-house childcare services welcoming children of all ages for fun and adventure among the snowy peaks and pines.
February conditions on the pistes and in the parks
February in the Alps typically offers wonderful snow conditions – with fresh snow often falling each week. Skiers and snowboarders taking to the slopes need to wrap up warm, as February is a mid-winter month with sometimes very low temperatures – but wrapping yourself or the kids up in a number of thinner layers will ensure you can regulate your temperature and stay toasty on the snow.
When February ticks round in the Alps, the winter ski season is half-way through. Ski lifts and gondolas offer swift uplift to groups of friends and families, and modern upgrades in recent years mean the swift lifts can keep queues as short as possible. Bottlenecks can still occur, though, especially at key lifts across the ski areas. Regular flurries and snow-cannoning boost the base-layers on the pistes, too, to ensure February skiers enjoy the best conditions possible.
Book ahead for the broadest accommodation and ski school availability
The increased demand we see during February in the Alps means early research and booking is always advisable. Placing your February half term ski holiday booking in advance will mean you can choose from a wider range of accommodation options in your top resorts of choice, and you’ll have the best chance of matching your accommodation with the ski school and childcare places you may need. Furthermore, chalet companies and tour operators do tend to reward early bookers with increased group discounts, or tempting lift pass and ski hire offers.
Recommended resorts for February skiing with the family
There are many resorts across the Alps which work wonderfully well for parents and kids, though some do stand out above the competition. For their heady blend of gentle terrain, outstanding ski schools, in-house childcare programmes and adventurous off-the-slopes activities, we recommend resorts such as Les Gets, Obergurgl, les Arcs, Saas Fee, la Plagne, Méribel, Alpe d’Huez, la Rosière, St Anton and Tignes.