The Ultimate Guide to a Family Ski Trip to La Thuile with Crystal Ski

Over the years we’ve chosen La Thuile four times for our family ski trip — and that should tell you everything you need to know. We’ve visited both December and February, eaten in most of the restaurants, tried ski school, kids club and even brought in the new year… and we still keep coming back.

SKIITALYEUROPELA THUILEINSPIRE ME

Clare

1/28/20264 min read

Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission — at no additional cost to you. We only recommend hotels, tours, and experiences we’ve personally used and loved.

Why our Family Love La Thuile

We’ve been skiing as a family for 15 years, exploring slopes across Europe. But La Thuile has a special place in our hearts. We’ve visited four times, from the first days our son Joshua was learning to ski, to when he started confidently tackling blue and even red runs. Over the years, we’ve tried it all — skiing, kids club, ski school, sampling every local restaurant, and even ringing in New Year in the Italian Alps.

If you’re considering La Thuile for a family ski trip with Crystal Ski, this post covers everything you need to know — where to stay, what it costs, what the slopes are like, and what to do when the kids need a break from skiing.

👉 Why We Chose La Thuile for Our Family Ski Trip

Why La Thuile Feels Right for Families

La Thuile sits on the Italian side of the Espace San Bernardo ski area and links directly to La Rosière in France. What makes it so appealing for families?

From our perspective: the slopes are quiet, even during busy periods, which makes learning to ski less stressful for beginners. The Italian cuisine is a treat — from pizza and pasta to the best hot chocolates you’ll ever find in the Alps. Accommodation feels more Italian and family-focused, and while you can ski over to France, most days we never felt the need.

👉 La Thuile vs La Rosière: Which Is Better for a Family Ski Holiday?

Compared to the French side, La Thuile has a calmer pace, less crowded lifts, and a more relaxed atmosphere — perfect for kids just starting out.

Why Crystal Ski Makes It Easy

We’ve booked with Crystal Ski (TUI) for years, and for families, it’s a stress-free option. Everything is included:

Flights and transfers
Accommodation
Lift passes
Ski hire
Kids club 👉 Crystal Ski Beanie Club in La Thuile
Ski school 👉 La Thuile Ski School Review

Having everything coordinated means fewer logistics to worry about — and more time skiing!

Timing Your Trip: December or February?

We’ve skied La Thuile in both months. December has its charm: quieter slopes, festive decorations, New Year celebrations, and a magical, snowy landscape. The downside? It’s colder, some runs may be closed, and you’ll want to pack heated socks.

February brings warmer, sunnier weather, and outdoor cafes are buzzing — though the slopes are busier. For little ones who get cold easily, February is more comfortable.

👉 La Thuile in December vs February Half Term

Where We Stay: Planibel Apartments

We always opt for self-catering apartments. Our apartment was huge, had a proper bedroom for Joshua, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a cozy living area. The biggest benefit? Space and privacy — something you don’t get in the Planibel Hotel.

Yes, we were a 10-minute walk from the lifts, but the stroll through snowy trees was beautiful, and Joshua loved running ahead along the way. For ski equipment, we rented a ski locker at Berthod Sport, which made mornings easier — though I’ll admit, getting ready in a busy locker room isn’t quite as relaxing as being in your own apartment!

👉 Planibel Apartments La Thuile Review
👉 Planibel Hotel vs Apartments: Which Is Better with Kids?

The Slopes

La Thuile has 37 lifts, perfect for beginners and intermediates. Early mornings are magical — almost no one else is on the slopes. Best lifts for families include Les Suches Gondola and Bosco Express Chair. You can ski over to France, but we usually stick to the Italian side.

Beginners: wide, gentle blues
Intermediates: Reds 31, 18, Arnouvaz & Argillien
Advanced: some black runs, including World Cup Black 3

👉 Skiing in La Thuile with Kids: Is It Beginner-Friendly?

Ski Days with Kids

Mornings started early. Breakfast in the apartment fuelled us for a few hours on the slopes — porridge for me, beans on toast for Joshua and Mark (we brought our own beans!).

Joshua went straight to Beanie Club, where staff got him ready, escorted him to ski school, served lunch, and organised activities if he didn’t want to ski. Afternoon options included sledging, crafts, or extra ski time. The club is well-organised, with excellent instructor-to-child ratios, and everyone speaks good English. At the end of the week, the kids even get a hot chocolate treat — don’t forget a bit of cash.

👉 Our Real Family Ski Day in La Thuile
👉 What If Your Kids Hate Skiing?

Ski School

Joshua started in the Green group at age 5, and within a season, he was confident on blues and even some reds. The instructors are professional, certified, and include national coaches and world-class athletes. They don’t mess around — safety and teaching come first.

One bonus: each child gets a free group photo, which is a lovely keepsake.

👉 La Thuile Ski School Review

Check Availability in La Thuile

with Crystal Ski

Eating and Exploring the Village

After skiing, we often popped to the village. La Thuile is quiet, pretty, and family-focused. During Christmas and Valentine’s, the decorations are beautiful, and the local Chocolat hot chocolate shop is a must-stop for warming up.

For meals, we mix supermarket dinners with eating out. Kid-friendly options abound — pizza, pasta, and rotisserie chickens are favourites.

👉 Where to Eat in La Thuile with Kids
👉 What La Thuile Village Is Really Like

Beyond Skiing

If your kids need a break from skiing, La Thuile offers: