Tips for the Perfect Family Ski Holiday
Whatever the age of your children, a ski holiday is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and have fun together as a family. It is magical to see your little ones step into tiny boots and clip into tiny skis that will no doubt be whizzing past you in three days’ time! If your kids are older, skiing together is a great opportunity for family time, away from the distraction of TVs and video games.
Planning your family’s ski holiday may seem like a bit of a daunting task, so we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of tips to guide you through the process.
Before You Go on Holiday
Packing – It may seem obvious but making a list will make sure you don’t forget the little things, keeping your wallet fuller in resort. Some things are a given – gloves, hat, goggles etc but don’t forget to include plenty of layers of clothing (the weather is more unpredictable in the Alps than in London), high factor sunscreen (even on cloudy days, the sunlight reflects off the snow onto delicate skin), and over the counter medicines (difficult to find your favourite brands in the Alps). Waterproof boots are essential for playing in the snow or walking around resort and you may want to consider taking a spare set of ski gloves for kids as they can get very wet building snowmen and during snowball fights!
Be aware that most airlines do not set children under two years a luggage allowance, so your smallest traveller’s gear may have to be divided throughout the rest of the family’s bags.
Accommodation
Location - No one wants to be trudging back and forth laden with cumbersome ski equipment every day, especially tired and grizzly kids. And chances are, it will end up being the parents carting around several sets of little skis as well as their own. So, when choosing your accommodation, keep the location in mind. Of course ski in/ski out is ideal but if this is not possible, try to choose a chalet close to the base of a ski lift or the ski school meeting point, or make sure there is a regular resort shuttle bus with a stop near you chalet.
Features - To make sure you get your rest time too, look for a chalet that has extra features to keep your brood entertained in the evenings. Many chalets will have a TV and DVD player but if you want something a bit more than that, look out for games rooms, swimming pools, or evening clubs catered towards your child’s age. These things will provide kids hours of fun and adults hours of peace and quiet! If you are travelling with an infant, be sure to check what baby supplies the chalet will have. Cots are generally provided as standard but remember to ask about cot linens, bottle sterilisers, baby monitors and change tables if you’re going to need them.
Catering – Most catered chalets offer high tea so that younger kids can have an earlier, child-friendly meal. Don’t worry, ‘child-friendly’ won’t mean they will get chips and nuggets all week! Ski School – Always pre-book lessons as even in the off-peak season, classes fill up. There will usually be more than one ski school in a resort, so if lessons are not offered in your holiday package, shop around for the best prices and most suitable classes for your kids.
Childcare – You’ll also want to pre- book your child’s crèche placement, activity club or nanny service in advance as you may miss out otherwise. Find out what services your chalet company offers and be aware that not all chalets allow privately booked nannies in the accommodation.
Equipment – Many holiday operators or ski hire stores will do deals on ski hire if you pre-book. Two-for-one or discounted ski hire packs can save you hundreds of pounds! Children’s ski packs often include a helmet but it’s worth double-checking as helmets are compulsory for younger children in most resorts (and of course, sensible for children of all ages in all resorts!)
Getting There
Flights – Travelling with infants and children doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Most flights to European destinations are fairly short but once you add on the check-in process at the start (often at an ungodly hour in the morning) and a lengthy transfer at the end, it can mean almost a whole day of travelling, so be prepared.
Make sure you pack some travel activities like activity books, playing cards and a small toy or two. It is also a good idea to pack a couple of snacks for the journey as most short-haul flights will not serve food and purchasing from the overpriced buy-on-board service for a whole family can cost a small fortune!
Transfers – Remember that most transfer coaches will not have a toilet and the transfer time can often be upwards of three hours, which can be am eternity for restless kids. When arranging your flights, ask about the alternative destination airports and try to get a transfer that is less than three hours long. There may be a slightly higher supplement but it will be well worth it for your sanity!
If you’re travelling with infants, they will usually not get a transfer seat on the coach. And if they do, coaches are not equipped for baby seats so the safest option is to travel with your little one on your lap. If this sounds less than ideal, you may want to consider booking private transfers in a car or minivan, more suitable for infants.
In Resort
The resort you choose can make all the difference to your holiday as each resort differs in the facilities, services and terrain offered.
Lost Kids - When skiing as a family, it is always a great idea to have a contingency plan in case someone gets lost on the slopes. Create a safe meeting point at the base of a lift, or another easily recognised landmark. Teach your kids about Ski Patrol and mountain staff, so they know who to go to for help.
Contact Cards – Another simple tip is to create a contact card for your younger kids to pop in their pocket or attach to their lift pass. Include your own name and contact number as well as the name of your chalet and your child’s ski school company/instructor.
Lunch – To save some extra cash, ask your chalet staff if they offer packed lunches. These are reasonably priced and usually include a few healthy snacks to stop your kids from eating €10 French fries every day!
