5 Tips for Skiing with Children
Even for the most experienced of skiers, taking children to the mountains for the first time can be a daunting prospect. However, with a bit of preparation a family holiday to the Alps can be a memorable, relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Family Tour Operator Ski Famille offer their top tips for ensuring a successful family ski holiday.
1) Book a child-friendly resort Above all else, traveling to a child-friendly resort is a must if all members of the family are to get the most out of your trip. Deciding which resort to go can be a bit overwhelming with so many to choose from and it pays to do your research. All 3 of Ski Famille resorts (Les Gets, La Plagne and Les Menuires) have been chosen due to their family friendly credentials, and handpicked with families in mind, but there are also plenty of other great alternatives.
2) Consider travel time A further consideration that goes hand-in-hand with picking the right resort is the flight or transfer time required to reach it. As any parent will know, travelling with children can be stressful, so minimising this and reaching your destination as quickly as possible will ensure you start your holiday off on the right foot. Whilst many people will automatically choose to fly, don’t rule out the train or driving as great ways of getting to the mountains.
3) Organise Childcare If you have children that are too young to ski all day, it’s worth considering some kind of childcare, otherwise you may struggle to get much time on the slopes. At Ski Famille we firmly believe that parents are only truly able to relax when they know their children are happy, safe and being well looked after. This may mean bringing along the grandparents, booking them into the resort Crèche or traveling with a specialist tour operator that offers childcare.
4) Pick the right time of year When planning your family ski trip, deciding when in the season to travel is often one of the initial questions you will consider. Whilst there are of course many benefits to travelling in the school holidays, if you have young children, and are not yet restricted by school term dates, off peak dates can also be a fantastic time to hit the slopes. With lower accommodation prices, shorter queues for lifts, and quieter slopes these dates can offer great value for money.
5) Kit your children out in the correct gear Warm Children = Happy Children. One of the key things to get right when heading to the slopes with children is to make sure they have kit that will keep them warm and dry. Packing for children is not easy by any means, but taking the time to provide them with the correct ski gear will help to ensure that plenty of fun in the snow will follow. Some key items to remember include:
- Waterproof Ski Gloves
- Ski Goggles / Sunglasses
- Thermals or Base Layers
- Thick Socks
- A Warm Hat
- Plenty of Suncream
- Salopettes
- Ski Jacket
Follow these simple tips and you should be able to introduce your children to the mountains in a way that both encourages them to enjoy their surroundings, and that paves the way for family ski holidays for years to come.
