When becoming a parent, one sometimes hesitates to take a very young child to the mountains. Yet, snow is a wonderful playground for young children, even from just a few months old. Here are five excellent reasons to introduce your child to the snowy world from an early age.
For a child, everything is discovery. Snow, with its soft and cold texture, its shiny appearance, the crunching sounds underfoot, and its bright whiteness, awakens all the senses. Touching, seeing, hearing, and sometimes even tasting: it’s a true sensory exploration that actively contributes to their cognitive development.
A single snowflake resting on their hand becomes a captivating experience. Picking up snow, shaping it, watching it melt… these simple and natural activities delight little ones.
Moving in the snow requires more effort than on dry ground. It engages muscles, balance, and coordination. Climbing a small hill, scrambling up a slope, picking up a snowball, or holding a sled — all these activities contribute to the development of gross motor skills.
Even for children who are not yet walking, being carried in a sled or taking a few steps in a snowsuit already provides beneficial physical stimulation.
Growing up connected with nature promotes calmness, wonder, and focus. The mountain in winter is an environment conducive to introspection, observing landscapes, and discovering a different rhythm.
Used to the noise and bustle of the city, the child here discovers the silence of falling snow, trees frozen by the cold, the distant song of a bird, or the tracks of an animal in the powder. This early bond with nature can positively shape their relationship with the world.
The first winter holidays with your child remain unforgettable memories. Whether it’s the first sled ride, building a snowman together as a family, or a walk in a baby carrier through snowy forests, these shared moments are unique and strengthen bonds.
At Arc 1950, the pedestrian-friendly resort, everything is designed with families in mind: suitable accommodations, proximity to childcare facilities, gentle activities, and safety. It’s the perfect place to create these first mountain memories.
The mountains are a real-life classroom. They teach patience, perseverance (falling and getting back up), cooperation (playing together), as well as limits (cold, fatigue). These lessons happen naturally, through play and without pressure.
Facilities like the Crèche du Yéti allow the youngest children to discover the snow at their own pace, in a safe environment, supervised by early childhood professionals. As for the older ones, the Yéti Camp immerses them in a world of fun outdoor activities.
Introducing a child to snow from a very young age offers them much more than just a change of scenery: it allows them to learn, marvel, move, laugh, and share. Whether for a half-day or an entire stay, the mountains adapt to them… and to you.
The Yeti Nursery is open from Sunday to Friday, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
The Yeti Camp is open from Sunday to Friday, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.