Spring half-term activities in Val d'Isère

The best things to do with kids in Val d'Isere

Imprint: By Tracy Wise, Updated 29 July 2026

Val d'Isere caters really well for everyone from little tots to energetic teenagers.

Half-term is the perfect excuse to swap screens for snowy adventures, and Val d’Isère is one of the most iconic alpine resorts for a family holiday in the French Alps. Set in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley, this world-renowned resort offers far more than exceptional skiing, with activities and experiences to suit toddlers, teens and adults alike. From scenic mountain adventures and thrilling winter activities to sledging, ice skating, husky rides and unforgettable family days out, Val d’Isère makes it easy to keep everyone entertained. Here’s our guide to the best ways to make the most of your February half-term holiday in the mountains.

Evenings out in Val d'Isere

The bars in resort are generally very family friendly, especially during the early evening when it's perfectly normal to see families enjoying a relaxed drink after a day on the slopes. Children are made to feel welcome, with many venues offering games, cosy seating and a laid-back atmosphere, whilst those serving food often have dedicated children's menus if your après drinks spill over into dinner… (no pun intended).

See our Nightlife Guide

La Folie Douce

Location
Val d’Isere

La Folie Douce in Val d’Isere is a true mountain icon, offering an unforgettable blend of gastronomy, celebration, and art de vivre. From the moment you arrive, the energy is palpable, making it the perfect spot for après-ski lovers looking to extend the fun well into the evening. Whether you’re here for lively music, spectacular performances, or simply to soak up the alpine atmosphere, every visit promises something special.
Le Blizzard Bar

Location
Val d’Isere

Le Blizzard Bar in Val d’Isere is a cosy and welcoming spot where you can relax and unwind after a day on the slopes. Sink into the soft, comfortable sofas, warm yourself by the fireplace, and take your time with a book, a chat with friends, or simply to enjoy the atmosphere.
Le Salon des Fous Restaurant and Bar

Location
Val d’Isere

This restaurant and bar is located in the centre of Val d'Isère on the main street.
Chez Jules - Le Coin des Amis Bar

Location
Val d’Isere

Chez Jules – Le Coin des Amis is a small but hugely popular bar right in the heart of Val d’Isere, run by Jules himself, a retired competitive skier who now presides over one of the friendliest spots in resort. Known by many as the place to find the best genepy in town, it’s a must-visit if you want to sample this local favourite in the right setting.
Victors Bar

Location
Val d’Isere

Victor’s Bar has long been one of Val d’Isere’s most popular hangouts, earning a loyal following over many seasons in resort. Located within the Langley Ski Lodge Victor’s, it’s a relaxed and sociable spot where everyone is genuinely welcome, from long-time locals and seasonnaires to visiting skiers and hotel guests.
Doudoune Club

Location
Val d’Isere

Doudoune Club opened 2008 and has since brought some of the biggest and best club nights to Val d’Isère.

Fun on the snow

Val d’Isère has plenty of dedicated spaces and activities designed to keep younger visitors entertained away from the ski slopes. Head to family-friendly areas and the beginner zones at the foot of the slopes, where children can enjoy playful snow areas, gentle runs and fun features designed to build confidence while making their first mountain experiences even more memorable.

You’ll find that local sports shops sell and rent plastic sledges, so head to one of Val d’Isère’s dedicated sledging areas for some classic winter fun. The sledging run at the Savonnette slope in the centre of resort is a popular choice for families, offering a safe and accessible place for little ones to enjoy their first rides, while older children can take on longer descents at areas such as the Col de l’Iseran. Whether it’s a gentle introduction to the snow or a family race to the bottom, sledging is a simple way to create unforgettable memories in the mountains.

Killy Sport

Location
Val d’Isere

Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Killy Sport store!
Ski Republic Village

Location
Val d’Isere

Val d’Isère Village ski hire shop is ideally situated in the centre of the village, next to the ski schools and the lift pass office and being directly on the snow front it is ski-in, ski-out!
Valsnow

Location
Val d’Isere

Ski and snowboard hire located in the centre of Val d'Isere. Save time and money by booking online and have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive enabling you to hit the slopes straight away!
Ab Skishop

Location
Val d’Isere

Florent and his team offer you a warm welcome to their store Ab Ski, which is located in the heart of Val d'Isere on the Avenue Olympique (in between the two roundabouts on this main road).
Val Spirit Delivery

Location
Val d’Isere

This is the only independent, British-owned ski and snowboard shop in the Espace Killy ski area which also offers a delivery service to Val d'Isere.
Snowberry Slopeside

Location
Val d’Isere

Want to rent skis or snowboards in Val d'Isere? Just visit the Skiset Snowberry Slopeside store!

Action packed days

If you’ve got young thrill-seekers to keep entertained, then Val d’Isère has plenty of adrenaline-filled activities to keep them excited throughout the holiday. Enquire with your ski school to find out what extra-curricular activities they offer, from freestyle sessions and fun competitions to adventure days in the snow designed for younger skiers.

Or get the kids involved in some “off-piste”, “freeride”, or “snowpark” lessons. Val d’Isère has a huge variety of terrain, the resort is a fantastic place for adventurous skiers to develop new skills. Qualified instructors will help them build confidence, master new techniques and safely push their limits while discovering a different side of the mountain.

Group ski lessons

This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
Private ski lessons

This ski school was set up in Val d'Isère in 2006 and has been hugely successful allowing them to expand into the resorts of Tignes, Les Gets, Morzine and Chamonix.
Group ski lessons

Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
Private ski lessons

This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
Group ski lessons

This ski school was set up in Val d'Isère in 2006 and has been hugely successful allowing them to expand into the resorts of Tignes, Les Gets, Morzine and Chamonix.
Private ski lessons

Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.

Family activities for everyone

Val d'Isère is packed with activities for families looking to make the most of their time off the slopes. Spend an afternoon gliding around the open-air ice rink in the heart of the village, enjoy a swim or climbing session at the Centre Aquasportif, or head to one of the resort's dedicated sledging areas for some classic snowy fun.

There are plenty more ways to experience the mountains too, from husky sledding and snowshoeing through the surrounding alpine scenery to bowling, cinema trips and horse-drawn sleigh rides through the village. For families with older children, tandem paragliding offers a spectacular bird's-eye view of the valley. Whatever your family's idea of fun, Val d'Isère has plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the half-term holidays.

See our Activity Guide

Rafting In The Alps

Location
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

White water rafting is accessible to all who love the natural environment and who are in search of a bit of adventure. These excursions will leave you with some unforgettable memories.
Hydrospeeding

Location
Bourg-Saint-Maurice

This activity is accessible to those comfortable in water, no need to be a professional diver or swimmer, you just have to be smart at using the water movements, obstacles and waves.
Guided snowshoe hikes

Location
Val d’Isere

Discover the charm of snowshoeing and venture to parts of the mountains even skiers don't go.
Heliskiing/boarding

For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
EMTB on snow

Location
Val d’Isere

Try something new this winter with a guided e-bike session on snow (from eight years old). Join a sunrise ride above Val d’Isère or hire an electric bike in the afternoon and head off on your own adventure.
Dog Sledding

Location
Val d’Isere

Sledding tours and adventures in the Tarentaise.

Out and about in Val d'Isere

If you've invested in the Val d'Isère–Tignes lift pass, you'll find there are plenty of extras that make fantastic family excursions. You can ride the cable cars up to the summit of Bellevarde for sweeping views across the Alps, take the gondola up to the Pisaillas Glacier for a spectacular high-altitude experience, or explore the neighbouring resort of Tignes without ever taking off your skis.

Even a simple lift ride can become an adventure; hop between mountain viewpoints, follow one of Val d'Isère's marked winter walking trails, or stop at a sunny mountain restaurant for lunch or hot chocolate while taking in the stunning scenery. With breathtaking viewpoints and plenty of family-friendly routes to explore, Val d'Isère makes it easy to turn a day in the mountains into an unforgettable alpine adventure.

Musee Val d’Histoire

Location
Val d’Isere

Opened in December 2017 and located in the heart of Val d'Isère, the renovated Maison de Val hosts a museum dedicated to the history of the area.
Vanoise National Park

Location
Champagny-en-Vanoise

The Vanoise National Park is one of the highlights of the Tarentaise region.
La Maison de Val

Location
Val d’Isere

Community space with libraries, cinema, free WiFi and exhibitions about local history.