Finding Family Adventures

Monts Jura Ski Trip

A Winter ski adventure for the whole family. Self-drive from UK, do it yourself trip.

Date of trip: February half term 2025

Total cost: £3400 including accommodation, travel, food, ski passes, play.

Does not include ski hire, alcoholic drinks or the waterpark.

Number of party: 8 (4 adults, 4 children).

Monts Jura is made up of 4 ski areas. We skied at Lélex-Crozet but would consider Mijoux-La Faucille better for beginners. For more information on all 4 resorts, please visit this website Ski Monts Jura – Pays de Gex Monts Jura Official website. Monts Jura is just an hour away from Geneva.

I would consider this a lower cost ski trip, compared to other ski resorts in France and we chose it because it was reasonably close to get to and high enough altitude to have snow in a low snow season. This trip was a wonderful fusion of friends celebrating together, skiing, beautiful views and amazing food. We went to celebrate a major birthday having a ‘Whiski’ party – skiing and whiskey. The gifts to the birthday boy were a range of miniature whiskeys to have a tasting session. The children enjoyed their own hot chocolate tasting session. We had a range of games lined up for each evening from tastings, to various board games. A new favourite was Avalanche, a ski themed card game to match the ambience of the week.

We cooked different meals together each night to make the most of the beautiful quirky accommodation, spending time together as friends, keeping costs down and to allow the children space to do what they needed to do. There were nearby options for restaurants. We enjoyed a raclette evening with the raclette set provided and making the most of the nearby delightful cheese shop.

Lélex-Crozet ski resort was small but had enough slopes for our ability to explore and play for a week. The easy runs felt steeper than other resorts, possibly due to the lack of heavy snow so best suited perhaps to those a bit more confident on the slopes. If you are happy on blue runs, you will be fine. The black was closed due to a lack of snow but there were plenty of red graded slopes open. There was enough for good coverage on the slopes but by the end of the week when it started to warm a little, there were some slushy sections in the afternoon. This didn’t bother us, it’s still snow! The kids particularly enjoyed the ski jump with a pillow to land on and making their own jump areas out of the piled snow. The instructor on the ski jump was really patient and supportive of the children attempting their first big jumps.

The view from the top overlooked Geneva covered in cloud with a snowy mountainous backdrop. We tested two excellent restaurants on the mountain top, enjoying soups, fries, chicken nuggets, crepes and more traditional mountain food as well. We had lots of fun and found the resort easy to navigate.

On the final day, we left the accommodation early and packed up the car but had a day to play. We visited the Site de Mijoux. We parked at La Faucille and enjoyed crepes, sledging and the luge before heading off to Paris, for a day in the Villages Nature Centre Parks where we enjoyed the heated outdoor pool, waterslides, lazy river and climbing facilities. It was a fantastic way to stretch out and relax aching muscles before our ferry home.

Practicalities

Day tickets at the Villages Nature Paris estate | Center Parcs – for a day ticket or overnight stay.

We stayed at Maison KiAmour, a beautifully renovated home in Confort, and enjoyed skiing at the Monts Jura – Lélex resort, just a short scenic drive away (20 minutes drive).

Our base for the week, Maison KiAmour, provided a perfect blend of comfort and mountain charm. This cozy, renovated stone house featured beautiful decor in each room and a stunning glass-roofed living area, where we could watch the snow fall while warming up by the stove.

One of the biggest surprises was how spacious the house was—we comfortably slept 8 people, but it could easily accommodate more guests, making it ideal for large families or groups of friends.

The house is well-equipped for families, offering a travel cot, stroller, baby car seat, and playpen and swing.

The village shop in Confort became a daily stop for fresh bread, wine, and essentials, making self-catering both easy and enjoyable. With rental rates at £500 per week off-peak and £850 per week during peak times, Maison KiAmour is an excellent choice for those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat.

The Journey:

From Dover to Calais

One car went by ferry, costing ~£200 return, mostly covered by Tesco Clubcard points. The other car went by Eurotunnel for ~£300 return, again possible to pay using Clubcard vouchers.

From Calais to Confort

750-kilometer (466-mile) drive from Calais to Confort, taking approximately 7 to 8 hours depending on stops and traffic. The total toll costs were around €60, while fuel costs for a car averaging 6L/100km (~39mpg) came to about €90. Our friends experienced their whole journey with their electric car, finding charging points whenever they needed them at reasonable costs. They could even charge their car while they were skiing.

For those flying in, Geneva Airport is just 40 kilometres (25 miles) away, 45-minute drive to Confort.

The Scenic Drive from Confort to Lélex

Each morning, we took the 20-minute drive (15km) from Confort to Lélex, a breathtaking journey through the Jura Mountains. The winding mountain roads made for a spectacular start to the day.

Upon arrival in Lélex, parking was easy, even during peak season. Despite visiting in February half-term, the slopes were uncrowded, and remarkably, there were no queues for the ski lifts.

Skiing at Monts Jura – Lélex

We spent our days at the Monts Jura – Lélex ski resort, which exceeded expectations. The well-groomed pistes and excellent off-piste opportunities made for exciting skiing. The variety of slopes catered to all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers.

• Lift pass prices:
  • 1-day pass: €35
  • 6-day pass: €179

For ski rentals, several shops in Lélex

Distance to Major Ski Resorts: Portes du Soleil

For those interested in exploring larger ski domains, the renowned Portes du Soleil ski area is within reach. This expansive cross-border region encompasses 12 linked alpine resorts across France and Switzerland, offering a vast network of slopes and facilities. Key resorts within Portes du Soleil include:

• Avoriaz 1800: Approximately 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Confort, with a driving time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Avoriaz is notable for its pedestrian-only village and diverse ski terrain.

Local Delights

Confort’s Village Shop & the Mountain Cheese Shop

Staying in Confort meant we could take advantage of the village shop, which stocked daily essentials, fresh bread, and a selection of local wines—a perfect way to unwind after a day on the slopes.

En route to Lélex, we also discovered a mountain cheese shop, which quickly became a must-stop for sampling and purchasing regional cheeses. This hidden gem offered some of the best flavours of the Jura region, adding an authentic touch to our trip.