Ski holidays: what activities are available for children under 3?
Published on 25/03/2026 - Written by Nadège
In the 3 Vallées, several Kids Friendly ski resorts await you for your winter holidays. Here, you'll find all the facilities you need to entertain your under-3s.
Safe play areas, toboggan runs, ski lessons... All you need to gently introduce your child to the joys of skiing and discovering the snow.
To introduce your child to the world of the mountains, prepare an age-appropriate programme now and book a few winter activities in advance with the esf. Your skiing holiday will be all the more enjoyable!
To introduce your child to the world of the mountains, prepare an age-appropriate programme now and book a few winter activities in advance with the esf. Your skiing holiday will be all the more enjoyable!
How to keep children under 3 occupied this winter?
In winter, there are often very few activities available for children under 3. But every year, ski resorts and esf centres come up with fun activities for them. Sometimes dog-sleigh rides are even organised for toddlers aged 2 and over, provided they are accompanied by their parents.
You can also build a snowman with your child. It's a safe way to boost your child's creativity using a fascinating material: snow. It's also an opportunity to try your hand at building an igloo, and to surprise your child with a short snowball fight.
To vary the fun, invest in a plastic or wooden toboggan and find a gentle slope to amaze your child and give them their first 'thrill'.
You can also build a snowman with your child. It's a safe way to boost your child's creativity using a fascinating material: snow. It's also an opportunity to try your hand at building an igloo, and to surprise your child with a short snowball fight.
To vary the fun, invest in a plastic or wooden toboggan and find a gentle slope to amaze your child and give them their first 'thrill'.
The esf Mini Club Piou Piou: a safe, fun place to play
For their part, the 3 Vallées ski schools generally set up a nursery for toddlers aged 18 months and over.
Run by specialist early years teams, these esf nurseries allow parents to enjoy their favourite board sports (skiing, snowboarding, etc.) to the full, while their children discover new play activities, from singing to tobogganing.
From the age of 2 and a half or 3, depending on the school, they can then join the Mini Club Piou Piou to learn to ski, in a safe area designed just for them. Figures, treadmills... everything is designed to help them learn to ski at Les 3 Vallées.
From the age of 2 and a half or 3, depending on the school, they can then join the Mini Club Piou Piou to learn to ski, in a safe area designed just for them. Figures, treadmills... everything is designed to help them learn to ski at Les 3 Vallées.
The esf nurseryA safe and fun place for toddlersSki lessons from the age of 3? It's possible at Les 3 Vallées!
And yes, as we saw earlier, children can take ski lessons from the age of 3, or even 2 and a half.
To do this, it's important to choose a Kids Friendly ski resort and enrol your child at the esf's Mini Club Piou Piou. The school's instructors will be delighted to introduce your apprentice skier to the joys of skiing.
Once you've booked your appointment, don't forget to equip your child with skis, ski boots that fit, a helmet, sunglasses, mittens, a wetsuit and much more. It's all up to you!
Once you've booked your appointment, don't forget to equip your child with skis, ski boots that fit, a helmet, sunglasses, mittens, a wetsuit and much more. It's all up to you!