Im thinking of taking the family to the Alps next summer, so I'd be looking for somewhere with plenty of kids activities, maybe a spa for the missus, and the odd days riding for me. I was considering Tignes - any suggestions?
Tignes is not a 'pretty' alps town. Purpose built high rise, but does have access to the glacier for snowboard / ski fun in the mornings.
Val D'isre down the valley is far prettier by a bit "la de la"
Morzine / Les Gets are bike heaven and have other touristy things going on and Chamoniox won't disappoint.
For non bikers though, consider staying at Annacy (which it technically the low alps as apposed to the high alps of the ski resorts) or one of the many villages around the lake. Lots of non bike things to enjoy and swimming on the beachs around the lake the lake was surprisngly warm and so clear.
For bike days there are trails up and around the lake (it is also one of the main parapending places in Europe so there ALOT of hills)and La Clusaz is only about 45 / 1 hr easy drive away which has all the cable car / chair lift trail you would want.
Does it have to be the Alps? The Basque country has great riding. A lovely coastline with beaches, smart cities, spas and all that malarky.
Riding isnt the main focus, but it would be nice to get a day or so in. Ive just discovered the climate in the Valais region of Switzerland is supposed to be pretty amazing too.
I really just fancied doing something completely different from the normal summer stuff.
Check out [url= http://www.samoens.com/en/summer.html ]Samoens[/url]. I've been there for both a family holiday and a weeks biking with the lads. Great place, pretty much unspoilt Alpine Village in the Giffre Valley at the base of the Joux Plane. Plenty for the kids to do and you've got great biking options in either Samoens itself (part of the Grand Massif lift system) or there's Morzine/Les Gets just over the hill.
i keep reading the title as "ann summers holiday with the family"
I'd put a second recommendation for Samoens. We stayed down the road in Morrilon, it was an amazing place, swimming lakes, proper mountains. Morzine swimming pool not far away. We booked a whole chalet through 'owners direct' and had a great time.
Tignes has a fair bit to do but I would not go there unless I was biking. Its small and pretty ugly. I would also not go to Morzine as its like benidorm with bikes.
It really depends what you want to do and old the kids are. Look at Montgenevre/Briancon/Serre Chavalier, Haute Verdon and down towards the gorge. In the pyranees, Les Angles/Lac Matamale is really great for a family holiday in the mountains. In fact it would be my top tip if you can handle the drive.
I wasn't going to mention Samoens, because I didn't want you lot to spoil it. But since kongman and dazh have blown it, I will add my recommendation. We've had two family holidays there and love it. Alps Accomodation specialise in chalets in the area and are very nice to deal with. Walking, rafting, via ferrata, swimming, there's loads to do, and if you run out day trips to Annecy and Chamonix are easy. And there's always the Col de Joux Plane, which starts in the village, ideal for a family ride on rented bikes.
Either drive all the way or fly to Geneva and rent a car.
Not at all what you asked for but check out Lake Garda and Zell am See as they are both good family places with biking not far away.
thumbs up for Zell.
Going back there (well Kaprun which is just down the road) again this summer
What's the weather like in summer in Samoens and Zell an See?
Somewhere else worth investigating is the north end of Lake Garda, plenty of biking, although most not lift assisted, but you could get family to give you an uplift if you don't fancy the climbs. Plenty to do and see, beaches on the lake with watersports, lovely towns and villages, lovely food, Via Ferrata etc
dantsw13 - Member
What's the weather like in summer in Samoens and Zell an See?
It's the alps. Could be blazing sunshine, could be torrential rain, could be snowing. All on the same day...
I took the family to Morzine and it was great.Highly recomend the "multi-pass" 1E per day gives you lift pass for the whole region.
Plus lots of other acivities like swimming and tennis.
Morzine would probably be best if your on a budget.
I did merited as a summer holiday / honeymoon. Was nice and peaceful. Deserted lifts and trails. Went hiking one day mrs had a spa treatment. Pool too for little one. We had a hot tub too which was nice. Close to annecy (hourish)
It's the alps. Could be blazing sunshine, could be torrential rain, could be snowing. All on the same day...
Aye that's about right. First time I was there (first week of the summer hols) it was 10 degrees and p*ssing it down for the first couple of days. Once the weather front cleared it went to 35 degrees and sunny for the rest of the week. Never experienced a change in weather like it. One day I was riding a roadie up the Joux Plane in full winter garb, the day after I was battling with dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Bourg st maurice. Its not exactly pretty, not bad, but nothing on austrian or swiss alps. Shed loads for kids to do though. Obviously mtb in les arcs etc, but also horse riding, rafting, kayak, hydro board, handgliding, go ape, archery and spa up in les arcs or tignes, walking, swimming. A lot more to do in summer than winter
Or the other Bourg.... Bourg d'Oisans. Going back to the area for our 3rd summer hol next year.
Lots of downhill, lots of cross country, road bike mecca..... But also loads else to do. Up at Alpe d'Huez indoor pool and leisure centre, outdoor pool, skating rink, crazy golf, summer toboggan run, all included as part of the lift pass. Lots of lifts open for biking or walking. Visit to Briancon. Or head over to Les Deux Alpes for a ski/snow ball fight on the glacier.
Like above I've been when it's ridiculously hot and been when it's pretty cold wet and miserable. But the majority of the time it's been hot hot hot.
Couple of our clients in the Samoens area
Www.samoens365.com
www.thetastyskicompany.co.uk
Both great guys.
Don't go to a third-generation ski resort, it will be soulless in summer. You need an old Alpine village that became a ski resort, therefore first-generation. We had a fantastic week in Megeve but as others have mentioned there's Samoens and Annecy and stacks of others.
In Megeve we bought an all-inclusive lift pass, which gave us use of the uplift for cycling as well as the municipal swimming pool, which is excellent, and the luge, which my son loved. The trails were very family-friendly with plenty of excitement for my wife and son.