UKC

As a family (2 adults, one now 11 year old boy) we've been to Chamonix twice in the last few years, and want to go somewhere different next year. Can anyone recommend a similar size town (maybe not so popular!) that offers a wide range of activities, including easily-accessible mountain walks and scrambles, valley climbing crags, via ferrata etc. Would consider other areas, e.g. Croatia, but nothing too hot or expensive.

Thanks,
Martin

In reply to MHeaton1:

Not necessarily super cheap,but Co.rtina may suit

In reply to MHeaton1:

Annecy or Thones?

In reply to MHeaton1:

Agree with the Annecy suggestion. But you might also explore the Undiscovered Alps website - further south than Chamonix so better weather, and they apparently do set out to supply activities for all ages. If you don't want to join a group, you could still explore the area from the Alpes Dauphine campsite above the delightful town of Gap. Easily accessible mountain walks in the Champsaur north of the town, crags west of the town on the edge of the Ceuse plateau. And somewhere entirely different, how about Pralognan in the heart of the Vanoise? And another idea, Briancon? Fascinating old walled town, beautiful walks in the Nevache valley north of the town.

In reply to MHeaton1:

I was in Saas Grund and one be advantage is that cable cars are free, so for a family that would save you a fair bit of money and time if you did not want to do lots of walking. There's also two camp sites there

In reply to MHeaton1:

Some suggestions from Austria: Ötztal / Imst; Dachstein; Maltatal.

In reply to MHeaton1:

Slovenia!! Stay in Bohinj, Bled or Kranjska Gora. Stunning scenery. Plenty to do there. Family friendly and relatively cheap.

In reply to MHeaton1:

There's a lot to be said for the Ecrins. There are two main valley centres one on the west side (La Berarde) and one on the east side Vallouise etc). The weather is generally more reliable than Cham and there's plenty to do with crags, via ferrata, walks up to huts etc. From LaBerarde you could go and stay at the Chatelleret hut and walk up to one of the easy scrambly summits from the hut.

In reply to MHeaton1:

From experience, then Sass Fee is a great location for a family with lots to do especially with the "free" inclusive lift pass - this which is included with camping or local accommodation. See http://www.saas-fee.ch/

The Mittaghorn via ferrata is suitable as a family expedition (with the usual care and cuation, etc

Otherwise the Ecrins is beautiful as also already mentioned

Pete

In reply to MHeaton1:

Croatia is bl**dy hot, you have to get all climbing done by mid day.

We stayed in Serre Chevalier this year, loads of walking, VFs, sight seeing, cragging near by and from La Grave plenty of snowy peaks too.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

La Berarde is well placed but hardly a town, I think Vallouise would be better given the OP. Plenty of rafting & canoeing as well as the usual mountain stuff

In reply to MHeaton1:

Molveno in the dolomites was a lovely base, we went there pre kids but would like to go back with kids. pretty car free, lakeside and lift into the heart of the dolomites

In reply to MHeaton1:

Try Aosta, very pretty town, for climbing see the Mani Nude guidebook, lots of easy stuff, For everything else:

http://www.lovevda.it/turismo/default_e.asp

Generally cheaper than France. Lots of walking guides including free ones on the lovevda site.

Fly to GVA and use the tunnel or Turin, but it's only a two hour drive from Milan as well.

In reply to Rob Exile Ward:


I agree with the above.
The Brianconnais region in general is awesome.

In reply to MHeaton1:

+ 1 for Briancon, I lived there for two years, it has everything you need.

In reply to MHeaton1:

Thanks for all the suggestions, looks like we're spoilt for choice!