Fun Family Holidays (FFH): The art of finding lots of cool things to do that both parents and children can enjoy together. Definition provided by the Rudeville English Dictionary
With its stunning scenery, great value, child-friendly accommodation and fantastic choice of activities (including biking, hiking, swimming, lake-side beaches, tennis, adventure play areas and rafting), the lively Alpine towns of Morzine and Chamonix make for an exciting and affordable alternative to the traditional family beach holiday.
The range and quality of accommodation on offer in the mountains is often far superior and much better value than the apartments and villas available in the more traditional beach-based summer holiday destinations.
Rudechalets™ offer beautiful and well-equipped, self-catered chalet accommodation just a 5 minute walk from shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Chalet facilities include ensuite bedrooms, XBOX 360s, Satellite TV, Wifi, table football, media centre, fully equipped kitchen (dishwasher, cooker, microwave, fridge freezer), a sun terrace / balcony with outdoor furniture and a gas Bar-B-Q. Selected chalets also have Hot tubs, saunas and swimming pools.
To reduce the amount of luggage families need to bring out with them, rudechalets™ summer chalets come fully equipped with high chairs, travel cots and plastic plates and cups. We can also help organise mountain buggy rental, places in the local crèche, an in chalet nanny service, activity guides and return airport transfers from Geneva if required.
Morzine is located in the Northern Alps, which ensures that it has abundant snowfall in the winter and a sunny, Mediterranean influenced climate in the summer. The stunning mountain landscapes of the Portes du Soleil are home to innumerable summer outdoor activities, making it a great holiday destination for families with children of all ages.
The Summer Multi Pass
From June – September the Portes du Soleil offers a Multi Pass, which only costs 8 euros per person per day, and allows access to a wide range of activities for low or no cost.
The following are all FREE with a multi pass:
- Unlimited access to five swimming pools
- Two swimming lakes
- 3 chairlifts and cable cars which access 650kms of walking paths and mountains
- 10 tennis centres
- 2 ice rinks
- 3 tourist trains
- Inter-resort buses
- Five heritage sites (the Abondance Abbey; the Alps Valley Heritage Center; the Maison du Val historical centre; the Mechanical Music Museum in Les Gets; and the Tine watermills).
If you’re more of a thrill seeker, or have older children, you can also use the Multi Pass to gain discounts on the following activities:
Canyoning, Canoeing, Children’s Farm, Climbing, Horse riding, Hydro speeding, Parapenting, Quad bike, Summer Sledging, Treetop Adventures Park, Via Ferrata, Water Skiing, White Water Rafting.
Example Itinerary
Day 1: Mountain walking
The walking and hiking paths are suitable for all ages and abilities. The Portes du Soleil region covers over 650kms and is easily accessed by 23 lifts and cable cars. You can enjoy relaxing walks along the river and through lush green alpine pastures, or head higher in search of spectacular views and mountain lakes. Guides are also available to ensure that you take the most spectacular routes.
Day 2: A water activity day
Visit the river Dranse or one of the many surrounding lakes and take your pick from a range of water based activities such as rafting, hydrospeeding, water skiing, white water rafting, wake boarding, kayaking or perhaps a gentle dip and donkey ride around Lac Montriond is more up your street.
Day 3: Explore Morzine
Morzine is a charming Savoyard town. There are numerous cultural sites worth visiting, as well as an Olympic sized swimming pool, ice rink, tennis courts, cafes and restaurants. And if you want some adult relaxation time, leave the kids in the capable hands of the nursery and escape to one of the spectacular golf courses.
Day 4: Mountain Biking
Morzine is synonymous with the best cycle race in the world – The Tour de France – so you can expect to find some of the finest cycle routes in the world here. The road cycling around Morzine and the surrounding Porte du Soleil region provides serene, intermediate and challenging cycling surrounded by spectacular scenery. For the more adventurous there are over 380 kms of mountain trails, a number of world cup downhill runs, and loads of cross country routes.
Day 5: Summer Sledging, Children’s Farm and Horse Riding
Summer sledging is popular with children and big kids alike. There is a choice of two courses so you can choose the level of thrill for yourself. Then why not visit the children’s farm in the Parc de Dérêches. Here you can stroke the donkeys and feed the goats and since it is next to the horse riding centre it is the perfect opportunity to explore the forest paths on horseback.
Day 6: Treetop adventure park & canyoning
Adults and children of all abilities (and nerves) can pursue these exhilarating challenges. Follow your guide on aerial runways, boardwalks, ropes, ladders, swings and zip-wires whilst securely harnessed onto overhead wires. There is even a bungee jump if you are brave enough! Then visit Nyon waterfall for an epic canyoning adventure. Trained guides will safely kit you up before you abseil, wade, jump slide and swim your way through waterfalls and Gorges following the rivers natural course.
Day 7: Relax by the swimming pool
The Multi Pass provides unlimited free access to five swimming pools. The biggest and best is undoubtedly the Olympic sized pool with children’s pool, water slide and sunbathing terrace in the centre of Morzine (only 500m from Chalet Chapelle). So let the kids entertain themselves while you relax.
