Ski-lovers: A group of tourists take a stroll on one of Valmorel'€™s pistes while skiers zoom past them.

Getting out of bed must have been hard after the leap into '€œSummer Time'€ '€“ when an hour of sleep is sacrificed to the '€œGods of Slumber'€.

But there they were at 9 a.m., already on their second or third run; the winter breeze on their faces; Mont Blanc reflected in their goggles.

It was late March on the slopes of the Valmorel ski resort in the French Alps. Spring temperatures were beginning to creep in, but icy flakes still fell at night, beckoning the daring back out to the slopes.

On one side, in the beginners'€™ area, young kids were arriving, ski gear, fearlessness and instructors in tow, ready to plow the slightly inclined snow field. Some screamed with delight after a clean slide, others sought the glory of deviating from the set path for a tumble against the meter-tall snow banks.

A group of adults watched at a remove, reminiscing about the years when they too possessed the dexterity required for such antics. A few were inspired to emulate the abandon of their young ones, only to be reminded of creaky bones as they fell at angles into the snow.

Valmorel is located in the Grand Domaine ski area, a 3,600-hectare resort which includes Valmorel, Doucy Combelouvière, Celliers and Saint François Longchamp. It is surrounded by magnificent views of the Alps peaks.

The ski resort won Most Improved Family Resort at the 2014 World Snow Awards, which recognized the construction of a 3-kilometer (km) run among the trees that was gentle enough for novices, and even the uninitiated.

Picture perfect: A view from one of the cottages in Valmorel

Valmorel also recently built dedicated family areas, including a beginner'€™s terrain park and picnic area.

Jean-Michel Muraz, an instructor of the Ecole du Ski Français (French Ski School), said that Valmorel was an excellent resort for beginner skiers, as well as those who preferred to stay inside.

'€œThere is lot of variety of slopes in Valmorel. It has good weather and, most definitely, beautiful views,'€ said Muraz, who has been a ski instructor for more than 35 years.

Valmorel, at an elevation of between 1,400 m and 2,832 m above sea level, is comprised of more than 165 km of runs and 50 ski lifts. The resort is heavy on long and winding easy-blue and intermediate-green runs, but there are also difficult-black tracks for the more advanced skier.

Muraz said it took an adult with zero experience about a week of practice before it was safe to brave the blue runs.

'€œBut if they learn fast enough and enjoy it, it could be quicker. I have instructed some people who went from putting the ski boots on for the first time to gliding down the blue runs in three days,'€ he said.

According to Muraz, it'€™s best to visit the ski resort in early March when the weather is neither bitter cold, nor too warm to melt the snow.

'€œVisiting the resort in January is a bit difficult, as most French people are on holiday. I think March is the best,'€ said the native of Doucy Tarentaise, located near Valmorel.

Resort-goers can also go snowshoeing or dog sledding in a nearby forest, or paragliding with skis in a tandem flight.

Valmorel is located about two hours by train from Geneva, Switzerland, but it can also be reached by a 4.5-hour train ride from Paris. From the capital, visitors can take the train from Gare de Lyon train station, transiting in Chambery Chales for Moutier Salins '€” the closest train station to Valmorel '€” before taking a bus to the resort area.

Hand-in-hand: Parents guide their children in a ski learning session at a beginner'€™s area in Valmorel.

The train from Paris takes passengers past the rolling hills and family farms of rural France.

To get to Paris from Jakarta, there are a number of options, including the daily Jakarta-Paris Air France route.

Created in 1976, Valmorel is one of the few purpose-built resorts in France. It is constructed in the classic design of low-rise wooden buildings and sloping slate roofs. Most of the accommodation is near to the ski lifts, with free shuttle buses connecting to outlying hamlets.

Among the most family-oriented lodging options is the Club Med Valmorel, which offers all-day activities for children.

Amine Chelali, an official at the hotel, said that with so many children'€™s programs, there were often more children than adults at the hotel during school holidays.

'€œMost of our guests bring children. It'€™s pretty much a family-oriented establishment, maybe less suitable for young couples and the elderly,'€ Chelali said.

The hotel'€™s all-inclusive deal includes ski or snowboard fees, lift tickets, as well as a full day'€™s meal. It'€™s a great option for a family looking to ski together for a week '€” or maybe even two.

Getting around: Tourists are seen around some of the hotels in Valmorel.

'€” Photos by JP/Andreas D. Arditya