The French Jura in winter with children: first skis, snowshoes and cheese cellars
By Robin — your host · sources at the end · 21 October 2026 · 3 min read · Our method
Winter in the French Jura has a gentle, village scale that suits families. The plateaus turn white, nordic centres groom long, gentle trails, and snowshoe routes start from small villages. From Jura 835, a timber house on one level in Foncine-le-Bas, the nearest trails are in the next village. This guide sets out a snowy week with children, from first skis to grey-day plans.
First skis on gentle trails
Cross-country skiing is the Jura’s great winter sport, and it suits families well: no lifts to queue for, and trails that start almost flat. The nordic centre of Foncine-le-Haut, 10 min by car up the valley, has 18 trails according to Jura Tourisme, 9 of them green, the easiest grade. A short lesson on the first morning gives children the basics; after that, they are off. Keep the first outings short and end them before anyone is tired: a child who stops while still having fun asks to go back the next day. Hire skis on the spot if you prefer not to bring your own; ask at the centre about sizes for children.
Snowshoe walks for everyone
Children who are not keen on skis usually love snowshoes: if you can walk, you can snowshoe. The same centre marks 17 snowshoe routes of different lengths. Choose a short loop, bring a flask of hot chocolate, and let the children look for animal tracks in the fresh snow. It is the simplest way to enjoy the forest in winter, at any age. Toddlers can ride in a sledge pulled by a parent, so the whole family heads out together, and nobody needs to know how to ski.
Mouthe, the cold valley
A little further, 20 min away, Mouthe sits at the source of the Doubs in a valley known for its very cold winters. Montagnes du Jura describes 59 km of cross-country trails and 20 km of snowshoe routes there. Children enjoy the idea of visiting one of the coldest places in France; dress them accordingly, with layers, mittens and warm boots.
A cheese cellar for grey days
When the weather turns, head for the Fort des Rousses, where Comté wheels ripen in vast cellars. Jura Tourisme gives 8 °C inside, so the visit feels almost warm on a snowy day. Allow 30 min on the road to reach Les Rousses. For more on the cheese itself, see our Comté cheese tour.
Staying safe and warm
Short winter days call for early starts and early returns: the light fades fast in the afternoon, and the cold arrives with it. Check the weather and the trail report each morning at the nordic centre, keep to marked trails, and carry a charged phone. Children lose heat quickly, so plan regular stops for a snack and a warm drink, and turn back at the first signs of tiredness. A small first-aid kit, a spare hat and a foil blanket take up little room in a backpack.
What to pack
Layers rather than one thick coat, waterproof trousers, spare gloves so one pair can dry, warm hats, sun cream and sunglasses for bright days on the snow. Through the winter season, November until the end of March, French mountain law makes winter tyres or a set of snow chains compulsory in the car, and fresh snow can slow the journey, so plan to arrive in daylight.
A rhythm for a snowy week
Alternate outdoor mornings with slower afternoons: skiing or snowshoeing while the children are fresh, then a long lunch, a nap for the youngest, games or reading by the wood stove. Keep one day for an indoor visit and one with no plan at all. Snow days are tiring for small children, and the best memories often come from an unplanned afternoon building a snowman in the garden. In summer, the same week looks very different, with swimming and picnics by the Jura lakes.
A warm house in the snow
The house stands at 835 m, with 3 bedrooms on the ground floor for a party of 6 to 8 guests, and only your family or group stays there. Wet boots and clothes dry overnight, and the evenings are quiet. Weekly stays start at €4,200.