I didn't learn to ski until I was an adult. While "better late than never" certainly rings true, it's a shame I didn't get to experience the sport with my parents, both avid skiers in their youth.
We traveled often as a family but had a modest budget, and of course the costs associated with a ski vacation can be significant — even apart from the general expense of staying in a ritzy destination, which many ski resort towns tend to be.
If only we had known about Club Med's all-inclusive ski resorts, many of which were created with families in mind. Guests have unlimited access not only to entertainment, gourmet dining and an open bar but to child care (from ages 4 to 17), lift tickets and group ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and abilities. Basic internet connectivity and staff gratuities are also included.
Club Med has 21 all-inclusive properties throughout the European Alps, each one distinct and catering to a different crowd. "We try to differentiate every resort; that's how we're different from other hotel companies," said Henri Giscard d'Estaing, CEO of Club Med. "We use different architects, designers and layouts at each of our properties. We have a lot of clientele that are loyal and repeat visitors but who don't want to repeat the same thing every time."
I was recently invited to Club Med's newest ski resort, the Grand Massif Samoens Morillon, which opened its doors on Dec. 17.
The 423-room property is located in the heart of one of France's largest ski areas, the Grand Massif, which offers 148 runs and about 165 miles of gorgeous slopes. Situated at the top of the mountain on the Plateau des Saix, guests are provided with glorious 360-degree, panoramic views and an extremely convenient ski-in, ski-out experience.
At the mountain base is the 13th-century French village, Samoens, which bears a striking resemblance to the village in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." Guests looking to get off-site can enjoy a leisurely ride down in one of Grand Massif's cable cars (called "les oeufs" by locals, French for "the eggs," due to their shape) and spend an afternoon strolling down the quaint streets, nibbling on the local cheese and jam available in many of the shops.
Grand Massif Samoens Morillon is one of Club Med's most family-friendly resorts to date. Whether guests are looking to stay in one of the standard-size Club rooms (designed to sleep two, three or four), in adjoining rooms or in a larger suite, all are developed to best cater to a family's needs. Plus, all four-person rooms come with a balcony or terrace.
A guestroom at the Grand Massif Samoens Morillon, where four-person rooms come with a balcony or terrace.
There are four kids' clubs that serve the gamut of age groups, each headquartered in spacious, multiroom facilities just below the main restaurant and decked out with toys, activities and decor appealing to their specific demographic.
Baby Club Med (ages 4 months to 23 months) and Petit Club Med (ages 2 to 3) are playful safe havens for the littlest ones, while Mini Club Med (ages 4 to 10) offers engaging and educational activities and workshops in fun topics like music, art and gaming. Tweens and teens will eagerly flock to the graffiti-adorned Passworld (ages 11 to 17) to partake in trendy offerings such as filmmaking, a DJ booth and dance floor, video games, a photo booth and more.
Winter sports are part of the kids' itinerary, too, if desired. In addition to a large ski locker room, the resort has two ski rooms for children with direct access to the Mini Club and outside slopes. Parents can enjoy the mountain's black diamond runs or take lessons of their own worry-free while their children glide down the hills with certified, English-speaking ski and snowboard instructors from the Ecole du Ski Francais (French Ski School). Snowshoeing, nordic walking and hiking are other great outdoor winter activities available to guests.
Grand Massif Samoens Morillon may actually be even more beautiful during the summer, making it a perfect year-round destination. Once the snow melts, swap ski boots for hiking boots and hit the trails. Club Med has hiking trails for all levels and with different themes. Go swimming in the resort's outdoor mountain-front pool or take a 20-minute drive to the lovely Lac Bleu (Blue Lake).
Grand Massif Samoens Morillon is just one of many Club Med properties that recently opened or are due to open in the near future. Giscard d'Estaing estimates the company will open 15 resorts around the world in the next three years, furthering the brand's goal to be the leader in all-inclusive for families and couples. Their ingredients for success for each of their properties? A beautiful, relatively undiscovered location and an endless supply of wonderful things to do on-site.
"Club Med has, and only will have, the best locations in the world," said Giscard d'Estaing. "We could open many more properties, but we have a high standard to meet for our locations. The experiential holiday is dominating the market. We want to innovate and bring new things to family travel. You could be in the most beautiful chalet in the world, but without enough to do, the kids are bored after two days, and that ruins the vacation."
That's definitely not a problem at the Grand Massif Samoens Morillon.
Rates start at $157 per adult, per night. Visit https://www.clubmed.us/r/Samoёns-Morillon-Grand-Massif/s.