Wondering whether a Club Med ski holiday is for you? Welcome to our total guide to skiing with Club Med!
You’ll find it packed full of all the information you need to decide on whether a Club Med ski holiday is the right choice for you - from what to expect from a Club Med village to what a Club Med ski holiday includes.
As a team, we’ve stayed in a lot of Club Med hotels across the Alps - from the relatively new Club Med Tignes Val Claret to the ever-popular Club Med Val Thorens Sensations - and we’ll draw upon all of our experiences to ensure you know exactly what to expect when you book a Club Med ski holiday; and teaser - it’s definitely worth it!
In this guide, we cover:
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Who are Club Med holidays for?
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What’s included in a Club Med ski holiday?
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Club Med rating system
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What to expect from a Club Med ski holiday
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How much does a Club Med ski holiday cost?
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Childcare at Club Med
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Club Med ski resorts and which one is best for you
Who are Club Med ski holidays for?
Club Med is designed to appeal to every type of skier - from eager-beaver adults whose priority is to be as close to the ski lifts as possible; to the slightly nervous first-time families, who will love that literally every aspect of their ski holiday is taken care of - from flights and transfers to ski passes and lessons.
Club Med for families
Families will love the Club Med set up.
You have the option of a spacious room (enough to comfortably fit an additional children’s bed), or interconnecting rooms, or family suites.
Childcare (for 4 to 17 year olds) is included in your package (hotel dependent), with age-appropriate clubs, age and ability appropriate ski lessons, activities and more.
Childcare from 4 months to 4 years is available in some hotels and is a supplementary cost. Babies and toddlers are cared for by specialist staff members.
Everything is paid for and organised ahead of your arrival - from your food and drink to your ski passes and ski lessons. It makes for a stress-free start to your holiday.
Nobody goes hungry. There’s so much to choose from at the buffet restaurant. Snacks are available all day, and kids are always fed at their kids club.
Club Med for beginners
Organising your first ski holiday can be daunting, but with Club Med, everything is literally taken care of at time of booking - from your lessons to your ski hire.
With everything included in the price of your holiday (only ski hire is an added extra), the cost of your first ski holiday is capped. There’s no need to worry about escalating costs.
Carrying your skis or board to the lift can be hard work. But Club Med’s hotels are conveniently located near or on the slopes, within easy access of learner areas.
Your ski lessons are organised for you and you’ll be assessed to ensure you’re placed in a group with people at the same level as you. Ski school meeting points are well signposted.
Club Med for friends and couples
There’s a lot about Club Med that appeals to adults - whether you’re a seasoned skier or a novice.
And if you’re looking for Adults-only or a more grown up atmosphere, Club Med Les Arcs Extreme and Club Med Val Thorens Sensations are where to go.
In all villages, you’ll find a bar area playing chilled tunes, a sophisticated drinks menu, an a la carte restaurant, live cooking from Club Med chefs, a spa, outdoor jacuzzis and more.
Club Med’s theme nights are a sociable occasion. Part of the fun is dressing up and you’ll be encouraged to join in in the evening’s entertainment. However, the choice is ultimately yours!
Many of Club Med’s hotels are in convenient locations high up on the mountain, giving you fast access to vast skiing areas - excellent for serious skiers.
Did you know?
Club Med isn’t just exclusive to the French Alps. They have hotels in resorts in Switzerland, Italy, and even as far away as Japan!
What’s included in a Club Med ski holiday?
Club Med’s all inclusive holidays are all about ensuring you have a fun, stress-free holiday in the mountains. Ski all day, enjoy delicious food, dance on lively terraces, relax in the spa or take an evening swim.
So, what’s included in a Club Med package?
1. Accommodation in a standard club room
Most Club Med hotels are 4T (T meaning Trident - more on Club Med’s rating system later). This means that in addition to comfortable and cosy beds, the accommodation itself is and feels premium with a modern, spacious design, daily cleaning service, and sizable balcony space. Not dissimilar to 4/5 star accommodation.
2. Return flights and transfers between the airport and the Club Med village
Club Med makes it super-easy to book your flights and transfers as part of your package. Choose from a number of major UK airports, fly into the most convenient airport for your resort, and choose flight times that suit you.
3. All alcoholic and soft drinks (except super-premium brands and champagne)
Whether you’re after a beer, a glass of wine, a soft drink or a hot drink, you’ll find it all at Club Med. It’s a good feeling knowing that the bottle of rose your table shared at lunch has already been paid for, and the vin chaud is particularly good!
4. All meals, including breakfast, lunch, after ski snacks and dinner
There’s an abundance of food choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snacks available all day, and an excellent a la carte restaurant which you can book once you’re in resort.
We’re not exaggerating when we say the choice at the buffet restaurant is extensive - from carby staples to more refined options and themed nights. There’s a chef manning every station, and many of the refined options are cooked while you wait.
5. Ski lessons for adults
Ski lessons for those aged 12 and upwards are included in the cost of your Club Med ski holiday. Ski lessons are for five days, and you’ll be placed in a small group with those of a similar ability. You can even get off-piste lessons, or upgrade to private lessons.
6. Child ski lessons in villages with Mini-Club facilities
Drop the kids off at their kids’ club in the morning and the qualified childcare staff at Club Med will do the rest. They’ll be looked after, entertained, fed, and taken to their lessons, leaving you to enjoy your holiday, too.
7. Lift passes – usually for the full area
With full area ski passes included in the price of your holiday, it’s good to know that one of your main expenses is already covered. Your lift passes will be ready and waiting for you in the resort - no need to queue up at the lift pass office with everyone else.
8. Childcare from 4 years to 17 years in villages with Mini-Club and Junior Club facilities
One of the many things that Club Med does well is its childcare, making it one of the best ski holiday options for families. Even super little ones (children aged 4 months to 4 years) are looked after by specialist childcare staff for a supplementary cost (hotel dependent).
Club Med Trident Ratings
Instead of a star rating system, Club Med uses their own Trident rating system, which better reflects the product they offer.
While on the face of things, a 4 Trident Club Med hotel wouldn't be dissimilar to a 4 Star hotel, it is the Club Med way which sets them apart.
Level 3 Trident Resorts
These resorts still incorporate all the great features of an all-inclusive package: comfortable accommodation, lots of activities and a large buffet with local delicacies.
Level 4 Trident Resorts
These premium level resorts add a further touch of elegance and sophistication: from gourmet cuisine, luxury spas to dazzling designs that adds an extra sparkle to the holiday experience.
Level 5 Trident resorts
These luxurious resorts consist of large designer bedrooms, world-class spas, first-rate service and picturesque settings. Accommodations may include private villas or chalets for a one-of-a-kind getaway.
Club Med Panorama is a 4 Trident resort
What to expect from a Club Med ski holiday
There are so many reasons why thousands of people choose to ski with Club Med every winter.
Here are some of our favourite things about Club Med ski holidays.
1. Ski-in/ski-out convenience
We’re sure most will agree that the most annoying part of skiing is carrying your equipment to the slopes or lifts. At the Club Med villages, you’ll be pleased to know that this isn’t an issue, as the slopes are right outside your doorstep!
Club Med villages are situated in prime positions in the resorts, meaning you can put your kit on, get ready in the lovely heated locker and boot room, head out the door and off you go!
Our favourite bit before you head out and when you come back from the slopes at around 3/4pm is that the GO’s (Club Med staff, stands for Gentil Organisateur) are there to greet you and offer snacks, vin chaud, hot chocolate and maybe even a cheeky shot of Genepi (a herbal liqueur not for the faint hearted).
2. Tailored Experiences for All Skill Levels
One of the great things about Club Med ski holidays is they’re suitable for everyone - whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete novice.
Qualified ESF instructors are on hand to provide personalised lessons, helping beginners find their footing and advanced skiers conquer new challenges. With a great range of slopes in all of the Club Med resorts, you can progress at your own pace and truly enjoy the thrill of skiing or snowboarding.
3. It’s all-inclusive!
One of the biggest perks of booking a Club Med ski holiday is the convenience of an all-inclusive package. Say goodbye to the hassle of planning and coordinating every aspect of your trip – from accommodation and meals to lift passes and equipment rental, everything is taken care of and paid for before you go. This means more time to focus on what truly matters: making incredible memories and switching off from the daily grind!
4. In-house equipment hire and childcare
Collecting equipment hire is also stress-free at Club Med, as their ski hire shops’ are located right inside the complex. You only need to take the lift from your floor down to the hire room – no need to venture outside of the resort and lug your newly hired equipment back to the Club Med boot room (which usually happens to be next to the hire room).
Childcare is also in-house under superb care of excellent GO’s, meaning you can drop off and pick up your children with ease and with peace of mind that they are being well looked after.
5. Evening entertainment
After dinner and drawing into the late evening, the atmosphere in the lounge area changes from a relaxed communal space to a dance floor with Europop tunes galore.
The evening entertainment is always themed, tying in with the optional evening dress code which in the past has been black and white, elegant and neon nights. Evening entertainment is pretty relaxed, you can grab a table with some drinks and watch or bust some moves on the dance floor, whatever your preference.
6. Excellent food and drink options
No ski holiday would be complete without indulging in some hearty mountain food and the Club Med food experience offers it all, with a variety of restaurants and bars serving up delicious dishes and drinks inspired by classic local flavours. Plus, with the food all-inclusive, you can literally sample every dish in the restaurant without worrying about the bill!
7. Great downtime and non-ski activities
While spending the whole day skiing is undeniably fun, down time is a much-loved part of a ski holiday. Thankfully, Club Med caters for this part of the day very well. Why not book yourself in for a relaxing massage, stretch those muscles with a gentle swim, or soothe aching limbs in the hot tub?
If the weather’s not great but you still fancy some exercise, you’ll find weights and cardio rooms, Pilates, yoga, stretching and fitness classes available to use and book.
For activities on the mountain why not try snow mountain biking, bobsleighing, dog sledding, ice skating, snow kayaking or snow tubing?
8. Club Med’s digital bracelet
It’s as fancy as its name suggests. There’s no need for a key or a key card as the bracelet will unlock your room door and ski locker as well as add extra activities at an additional cost to your account contactless. It allows guests to enjoy an even more hassle free holiday, knowing their door key is always on their wrist and can still be worn when showering or swimming.
How much does a Club Med ski holiday cost?
A Club Med ski holiday is one of the best ski holidays you can choose if value for money is a top priority - particularly when it comes to eating and drinking on the mountain.
The fact that the cost of a Club Med holiday includes lift passes, ski lessons, childcare, drinks, food, accommodation, flights, and transfers means, ultimately, the price you see is the price you pay.
The easiest way to demonstrate the value of a Club Med ski holiday is to compare it to a similar package.
| |
Club Med Val Thorens Sensations (4T) |
Hotel Marielle Val Thorens (4 Star) |
| Departing |
16th March 2025 |
15th March 2025 |
| Board basis |
All inclusive |
Half board |
| Guests |
2 people |
2 people |
| Basic holiday cost |
£4,562 |
£3,573 |
| Ski passes (adult) |
Included |
£665 |
| Ski lessons (adult) |
Included |
£410 |
| Lunch |
Included |
£260 |
| Alcohol |
Included |
£480 |
| Total holiday cost |
£4,562 |
£5,489 |
The above table shows that you can save roughly £1,000 on a ski holiday, particularly if you’re big into mountain lunches and you require lessons.
Even if you take the lessons out of the equation, you’re still saving a large chunk of money, just by food and drink being all inclusive at Club Med.
Please bear in mind that the table is for demonstration purposes only and is designed to give you a rough idea of the additional costs you may need to think about on top of your basic holiday cost. Basic holiday cost is correct on 10th April 2024 and all prices are subject to change.
Ski lesson prices are based on the ESF ‘from price’ for 2 adult group beginner lessons for 5 days 23/24 season. (Club Med uses ESF ski school). Exchange rate 10th April 2024.
Ski pass prices are indicative of the cost to add two Three Valleys lift passes to your Iglu Ski booking on 10th April 2024.
Lunch price includes two lunches at 30 euros per person for 5 days.
Alcohol price includes one bottle of wine with dinner at 40 euros a day and an additional 20 euros per adult a day for mountain drinks (coffees, vin chauds, beers, etc).
CHILDCARE AT CLUB MED
Parents can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their children are in the safe hands of fully qualified childcare staff.
Whether 4 months or 17 years old, Club Med offers activities to all age groups, so kids can play and meet with other kids their age and enjoy activities suited to them. The childcare groups include:
Baby Club Med - 4 to 23 months old (supplementary cost)
Petit Club Med – 2 to 3 years old (supplementary cost)
Mini Club Med – 4 to 10 year old
Junior Club Med – 11 to 17 years old
Don't worry about a thing, the Club Med staff (G.O's) are there. They'll see to it that your children are happy and having just as good a holiday as you are (if not better!) Please get in touch about specific family offers and discounts.
Club Med ski resorts and which one is best for you
The following section gives you a quick roundup of each of the Club Med hotels and the resorts they're in, including snow-surety, size of resort, whether they're family friendly, beginner friendly and so on.
Tignes - The Best Club Med Resort for Intermediate Groups
- Snow sure: Yes
- Ski area: 300km
- Beginner friendly: Relatively
- Club Med Village: 4T
Tignes caters well to both experienced and intermediate skiers. Beginners, too, will find some good slopes to practice on. Experienced skiers will love the village’s position in the Val Claret bowl, with super-easy access to several lifts that take you in all directions across the Espace Killy ski area. Beginners and families will love the fact that the nursery slopes are literally just outside the hotel. The newly opened Club Med Tignes also offers childcare for 4 to 17 year olds.
Val Thorens - The Best Club Med Resort for Couples
- Snow sure: Yes
- Ski area: 600km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T
Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe, with its lifts opening in November and closing in May. Part of the vast Three Valleys ski area, Val Thorens is an excellent choice for a late or early season ski trip. The Club Med village is modern, with a grown up vibe. While kids are welcome, there aren’t any kids clubs, which means ski lessons are not included for those under the age of 12.
Les Arcs - The Best Club Med Resort For a Cheap Club Med Ski Holiday
- Snow sure: Yes
- Ski area: 425km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T/5T (Panorama) 3T (Extreme) 4T (Peisey Vallandry)
Les Arcs is part of the expansive Paradiski area alongside La Plagne, and is snow sure from December through to April. Head to the new luxurious, ski in ski out Club Med Panorama in Arc 1600 for modern decor, a family-friendly feel and beautiful panoramic views of the mountain peaks of the Tarentaise Valley. Then there’s Club Med Peisey Vallandry, which has a fantastic family-friendly atmosphere, or the lively, adults only Les Arcs Extreme in Arc 2000 - both of which tend to be two of the cheapest Club Med ski hotels.
La Plagne - The Best Club Med Resort for School Holiday Skiing
- Snow sure: Yes
- Ski area: 425km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T
The second half of the Paradiski area, La Plagne is a laid-back, family-friendly resort. It, too, is snow sure from December to April, making it ideal for Christmas and Easter family ski holidays. The Club Med hotel is situated in La Plagne’s highest village - Plagne 2100 (also known as Aime La Plagne). It’s family-friendly and laid back, with childcare available from the age of two (childcare for children aged under 4 is a supplementary cost).
Samoens - The Best Club Med Resort for Families
- Snow sure: Relatively
- Ski area: 270km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T
Part of the Grand Massif ski area, Samoens is just over an hour from Geneva airport, making it a great choice for families and those looking for swift access to a fantastic amount of skiable terrain. As the Club Med family flagship, Club Med Samoens is an excellent choice for young families, with childcare for children as young as 4 months. There are lots of activities for the kids to get involved with, dedicated family dining, and the ski in ski out access means you needn’t worry about carrying several sets of skis to the lift!
Val d'Isere - Best Club Med Resort for a High End Ski Holiday
- Snow sure: Yes
- Ski area: 300km
- Beginner friendly: Relatively
- Club Med Village: 5T
A chic resort with a quintessential alpine feel, Val d’Isere is renowned for being the place to go for a luxury ski holiday. With its neighbour Tignes, Val d’Isere makes up the Espace Killy ski area, and is particularly well suited to intermediate skiers. Club Med Val d’Isere is the only hotel in Club Med’s Exclusive Collection to be in the Alps. Expect next level facilities, deluxe rooms and suites. Kids are more than welcome in Val d’Isere, with childcare available from four years old.
Alpe d'Huez - Best all round Club Med resort
- Snow sure: Yes
- Ski area: 250km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T
Snow sure and with plenty of life, Alpe d’Huez caters to everyone, with lively bars, a healthy 250km ski area, and as celebrated by its Famille Plus status, a family-first attitude. Club Med Alpe d’Huez, too, puts families first, with superior family rooms and interconnecting superior and junior family rooms, childcare available from the age of 4 months, and ski in ski out access to the vast Alpe d’Huez ski area.
La Rosiere - Best Club Med Resort for Fair Weather Skiers
- Snow sure: Relatively
- Ski area: 152km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T/5T
La Rosiere is a sunny and laid back resort popular with families and beginners. It’s part of the San Bernardo (or Saint Bernard) ski area, with La Thuile in Italy making up the other half. The Club Med hotel itself has a chic, Savoyard feel to it and the views are exceptional. Those looking for luxury can choose 5T rooms, which includes suites and family suites with those incredible views over the beautiful surrounding ski area.
Serre Chevalier - Best Club Med Ski Resort For Nature Lovers
- Snow sure: Relatively
- Ski area: 250km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 3T
A pretty resort on the fringe of two national parks, Serre Chevalier has heaps of charm, with an authentically French feel. There are slopes for every ski level, wide open bowls, tree-lined skiing, and the resort happens to have an excellent sun record, great for fair weather skiers. Serre Chevalier’s Club Med hotel is a stone and wood clad building nestled among the tree-filled valley. It’s just outside of the main resort and offers good access to the ski area and the nursery slopes are just adjacent to the hotel.
Valmorel - Best Club Med Ski Resort to Stay Away From the Crowds
- Snow sure: Relatively
- Ski area: 165km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T/5T
Valmorel is a car-free Alpine village that’s a bit of a secret among British skiers. It’s quiet, uncommercial and is very popular with families. The ski area offers 150km of slopes and caters particularly well to beginner skiers. That said, expert skiers will love the quiet, untracked off piste. The Club Med in Valmorel has excellent facilities, in addition to a mix of premium 4T, Club Med Exclusive 5T rooms and exclusive chalet apartments with butler service for those who really wish to splash out.
St Moritz - Best Club Med Ski Resort for Swiss Skiing
- Snow sure: Relatively
- Ski area: 350km
- Beginner friendly: Yes
- Club Med Village: 4T
St Moritz is a charming Swiss resort with an exclusive feel. As a favourite amongst celebrities and royalty, a lot of people assume they are priced out of St Moritz, but that’s not the case with the Club Med hotel. Club Med St Moritz blends luxury and tradition, alongside the well known hospitality of the Club Med staff. In addition to the restaurants inside the hotel, there are two Club Med mountain restaurants that are part of the all inclusive package, meaning it doesn’t cost another penny out on the mountain.
Pragelato - Best Club Med Ski Resort for Italian Skiing
- Snow sure: Relatively
- Ski area: 400km
- Beginner friendly: Relatively
- Club Med Village: 4T
Pragelato is part of the Milkyway, one of the largest ski areas in the world. It offers 400km of skiing in both Italy and France, with fantastic intermediate terrain across the likes of Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx and Montgenvre. The hotel is stunning and set in a charming, tree-lined location. There’s an Italian feel to the hotel and the restaurants swap the French classics for Italian staples, including amazing pizza and pasta. Club Med Pragelato is great for parents with children 2-17 years with kids clubs available
Final tips and advice
- For large groups wanting to eat together at the buffet dining room, we recommend booking a table for each night as it can be busy during peak times
- Book childcare and lessons as soon as possible before you go as these can also get booked up quickly, especially during peak weeks
- The complexes’ are pretty big and it can be quite easy to get lost! Have a wander and find out where the locker room, swimming pool/ spa and ski hire shop are to familiarise yourself
- Make the most of it! There’s so much Club Med villages have to offer and it really is an exceptional holiday experience you’ll want to book another!
Have a browse through our Club Med ski deals or give us a call on the number above and speak to a ski expert for recommendations and advice on your Club Med holiday.
