Oz Home & Family Life

  Our final morning views of the snow-covered French Alps as we travelled from Val Thorens to Chambéry Airport. After a wonderful week of skiing in Val Thorens , it was time to leave the snowy French Alps and begin the next stage of our family holiday—a road trip through France. Although we were sad to say goodbye to the mountains, we were also excited about what lay ahead. Our first destination was Marseille, a historic Mediterranean city completely different from the quiet, snow-covered landscape we were leaving behind. An Early Departure from Val Thorens Saying goodbye to Le Chamois d’Or in Val Thorens before our 7.00 am departure. Our transfer was once again arranged through Savoie Transport, with our driver collecting us from  Le Chamois d’Or in Val Thorens at 7.00 am. Leaving early was essential because weekend traffic around ski resorts can become extremely congested, particularly when large numbers of holidaymakers arrive and depart on the same day. The streets were s...

  Our home in Val Thorens – Résidence Le Chamois d’Or surrounded by winter snow Life in Val Thorens Village – Our Accommodation, Restaurants & Après-Ski Evenings Our days in Val Thorens were spent carving through the vast slopes of Les 3 Vallées, but experiencing the vibrant pulse of the village after dark was equally unforgettable. Returning from the ski runs to trade heavy boots for comfortable winter gear opened up a whole new side of the French Alps—one filled with glowing mountain lights, bustling dining spots, and world-class après-ski. During the day, Val Thorens is a hive of activity as skiers and snowboarders head toward the lift lines. By late afternoon, the mood transitions seamlessly: the mountains quiet down, golden lights reflect off the snowpack, and the village square comes alive. Late afternoon in Val Thorens as the village begins to come alive after skiing Staying at Résidence Le Chamois d’Or For our stay, we chose Résidence Le Chamois d’Or, a practical thr...

  After four and a half hours on the road, we finally arrived in Val Thorens After a wonderful week in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise , it was time to continue our family skiing holiday . Our next destination was Val Thorens , part of the enormous Les 3 Vallées ski area in the French Alps. We also had to say goodbye to some of our family members. Some returned to London, some departed for Japan, and others continued to Innsbruck in Austria. Our family group became much smaller, reducing from 12 people to five. Although St Foy and Val Thorens are both in the Savoie region, the road journey between them is approximately 73 kilometres. Travelling with five people, suitcases, and ski equipment still required careful planning. After a great deal of research, we decided that a private transfer would be the most comfortable and practical option for us. Planning Our Transfer from St Foy to Val Thorens Beautiful Alpine scenery during our private transfer from St Foy We booked our journey with Savoi...

  The lights of Sainte-Foy made the snowy village feel like a fairytale After several incredible days on the slopes, our family discovered that off-mountain life in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise was just as memorable as the skiing itself. Booking a spacious self-catering apartment at CGH Résidences & Spas Les Fermes de Sainte-Foy gave our extended group a cozy base to unwind each afternoon. From simple pressure-cooker dinners to quiet night walks along snow-covered paths, these slower moments quickly became the highlights of our trip. If you are planning your own journey, you can read about our scenic train journey from Milan to Sainte-Foy to see how easily accessible this Alpine village is by rail. A Warm Place to Return to After Skiing Returning to a warm, well-equipped residence after hours in the freezing mountain air makes a world of difference for a large family. Les Fermes de Sainte-Foy features comprehensive spa facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, traditional...

  A beautiful moment when the clouds lifted over Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise After travelling from Milan, we were ready for the highlight of our trip—a full week of skiing in the French Alps with our extended family. A quiet morning at the snow-covered Sainte-Foy ski village Eleven of us took to the slopes together, making this holiday exceptionally special. It isn't often that a large family group can coordinate travel, gear up, and spend entire days exploring alpine runs together. If you are planning a similar itinerary, check out our guide; Milan Journey:   Scenic train route from Milan to the French Alps Milan Day 1:   exploring Milan in a single day A Small Ski Resort with Plenty to Enjoy Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise operates four main chairlifts. During our week, three were regularly open, though heavy snowfall occasionally reduced operations to two lifts for safety. Waiting together for the Marquise chairlift. Compared to massive neighboring resorts in the Tarentaise Valley, Sa...

Waiting at a railway platform with our luggage during the seven-hour journey from Milan to Bourg-Saint-Maurice   Leaving Milan behind, we began the next stage of our European family trip: travelling to the ski resort of Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise in the French Alps. After spending several enjoyable days exploring the top sights in Milan , it was time to exchange the busy city streets for snow-covered mountain peaks. Departing from Milano Porta Garibaldi We caught our first train from Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station. Travelling with several large suitcases made us conscious of every platform change. Unfortunately, the signage for our departing train was less clear than expected, leaving us uncertain about our platform placement. Key lesson learned: When platform information is unclear, ask a station employee immediately rather than relying solely on display boards. Navigating last-minute platform changes with heavy luggage and a family creates unnecessary stress. For future tri...