As people here start to get in a frenzy about which set of mountains have the best snow at weekends, some of you might be contemplating a family ski trip for the first time. Here’s a rehash of a post I wrote for BritMums a little over a year ago, but with a few added extra points – you might find it useful!
It’s that time again – the slopes of Europe (and beyond) are covered with snow, and ready and waiting for you to get your skis on. So whether you cannot wait to get back on the piste, or if 2015 is the first time you will ski together, here are a few tips for a successful, happy and enjoyable family trip.
- If like us, you have a mixture of abilities in your family (our group ranges from expert, two small enthusiasts, and the “can ski, but not so enthusiastic” (me!)), make sure you book a resort with suitable runs for everyone. Blues and Greens are obviously best for beginners, Red for the slightly more adventurous, and Blacks for the proficient (not me!)… Too few of one colour might lead to sulky faces if the majority of runs are too easy – and worried/nervous faces if it’s the opposite!;
- Look for a resort with a lift and slope on your doorstep. There’s nothing worse than having to trek miles with all your gear in the morning. I highly recommend that you search for somewhere with less than 500 metres walking distance to a lift, ski resort buses are not much fun with all your gear.
- Consider self-catering – often the easiest option for a family group. Most resorts have good supermarkets so you can cook what you like, when you like. When evening comes, you can pack exhausted children off to bed whilst you get on with the all important apres ski! If hotels are more your thing however, then there are obviously plenty of great options, including many that cater purely for family groups;
- Don’t just go for the popular resorts that are usually the most overpriced (especially in the school hols!), do look at resorts in places such as the Dolomites, in Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland (the beauty about skiing in Bavaria is if you feel you’ve “covered it”, you can drive an hour up the road to Austria and enjoy places like Kitzbuhel, Sol and Innsbruck).
- Pre book your ski equipment and ski passes on-line. I know us Brits are meant to be experts at queueing, but this is one instance where if you can pre-order it all beforehand and pick it up when you arrive, I highly recommend it;
- Clothing. If you can’t borrow it, you don’t have to spend a fortune on decent ski gear nowadays – a a lot of high street shops have their own versions, but don’t skimp on good thermal layers. You can always always take them off if you get too warm.
- If you think ski holidays might feature frequently in your family’s future, look at buying second-hand gear on-line. The cost of hiring equipment can add up, and there’s no point in buying it brand new for children with growing feet (you can always re-sell it!);
- Buy specialist gloves and socks. These are a must. There’s nothing worse than frozen hands, and cold feet in ski boots has to be the most horrible thing about this kind of holiday. Speaking of cold feet, don’t be tempted to wear two pairs of socks, and don’t do your boots up too tight!;
- In some places it’s obligatory anyway, but I always insist on the wearing of ski-helmets. Too many lives have been lost due to accidental collisions that perhaps wouldn’t have been all that serious otherwise;
- Choose goggles over sunglasses. Sunglasses are forever falling off, and can feel uncomfortable under a helmet. Pick decent goggles where the strap fits over the back and keeps them securely in place;
- Don’t forget the Three S’s – Sunscreen, Snacks and Saturation. Sunscreen: You will be amazed at how burnt your face can get even if the sun isn’t out completely – pack a high factor, and don’t forget your lips! Snacks – pack ski jacket pockets full of energy giving carbohydrate rich snacks such as cereal bars, dried fruit, sports drinks/bars/gels… If you don’t eat them, your children will! Saturation – skiing is a high energy sport, and combined with altitude, you will lose a lot of fluids. Keep drinking (and save the vast majority of your alcohol intake for apres!)…
- Whilst on the subject of food, eat a good breakfast, preferably something like porridge which releases energy slowly throughout the morning;
- Book private ski lessons. In my experience, you learn more in smaller groups or in one-on-one lessons instead of huge groups where the instructor cannot devote that much time individually (this is not necessarily the case for children however, most of whom seem to be complete naturals!);
- Write phone numbers on Small People before they are packed off to Ski School. This might only help paranoid helicopter mothers such as myself, but I find that if I am relaxed and happy about such things, I fall over a lot less!
- Common sense, but do make sure you have a central meeting point in case you get separated. Also make sure phones are fully charged – batteries tend to die quicker in the cold;
- If you don’t get on with your ski instructor, go back and ask for another one. There’s nothing that will put you off more, than the thought of spending the day with someone you don’t like, especially when you are paying lots of money for the pleasure (and yes I speak from experience!);
- Find a resort that offers a variety of activities. There will be times when someone doesn’t feel like putting their ski boots on, so having good alternatives such as swimming, ice skating, sledging, snow-mobiling etc. is always helpful (don’t forget your swim suits!);
- If you don’t get on with the downhill skiing, try cross-country (lang-lauf) skiing, it’s hard work, but peaceful and rewarding. And if you completely hate skis, rent some snow shoes for the day!
And finally, go with the flow. You are bound to be nervous at times, it’s not all that natural to strap planks to your feet and chuck yourself down a mountain, but I promise that once you have mastered a few basics, and have gained confidence, you will experience some of the highest exhilaration levels ever, breathe some of the cleanest air on the planet, and witness some of the some of the most stunning scenery that Mother Nature has to offer.
Enjoy, have fun, and don’t forget to reward yourself with a steaming hot mug of gluhwein (or two) at the end of each day, safe in the knowledge that if your children are taught to ski at a young age, they won’t go through the agony of what was in my case mortifying, embarrassing group lessons at the age of 23 like I did. Having said that, it’s never too late, and life’s too short isn’t it?
Brilliant tips, and all true. I have tried for some time to have British skiers rent self catering family chalet in the French Alps. Those chalets are so much cheaper than catered chalet and makes itso much easier when you are a family. Unfortunatety most British customers still feel safer using all-inclusive British tour operators. The associated cost make it difficult for British customers to bring their kids.
I don’t understand why people don’t take the plunge and book self-catering, I tend to steer away from British Tour Operators as I want a different experience, but each to their own! :)
These are all great tips, Emma. We try to fit in a ski trip at least once a year and it has gotten easier as the kids have gotten older. I’m with you though..”can ski but not so enthusiastic”. I’ve retired from the slopes and actually enjoyed snowshoeing more. Good, reliable clothing can never be underestimated. I’ve never written down phone numbers on clothes while the kids are at ski school and now, I should. Amen to finding another ski instructor. I stuck with a complete ass during a ski lesson and I hated the experience.
I once had the most evil French ski instructor, he was foul. It gave me great pleasure to stamp out of my skis, throw them down and stomp off back to office to report him and get another instructor (who was much nicer!) :D You are not going to love something if you have someone you hate teaching you are you? :D Thanks Mary! :)
Brilliant tips, and all true. I will definitely try to convince Actually Daddy to venture outside his comfort zone with some self-catering so we can perpetuate the adventure now that the children have joined us as skiers :)
You must, you must… There’s a million mountains waiting to meet you! :D Thanks Helen! xx
I would love to try skiing, it is on my list. My son is going with School this year and it so excited. Great tips, as i wouldn’t know where to start
Thanks so much Sarah! :)
Your photos make it all look so much fun. I must say I feel sorry for my kids having never been but Nick and I are both hopeless at skiing, I think I will have to get them on a school trip as I’d hate them to miss out. Looks like something you all enjoy as a family. Thank you for sharing your tips on Country Kids.
Thanks Fiona, you could build a Coombe Mill dry slope maybe??
I love porridge and wine but it’s the bit in between I haven’t tried…
Great tips. Will tweet this xx
Thanks so much Trish! (: xx
I love the idea of taking the kids skiing – not sure how the kids would take to it though as they get frustrated if they can’t do something first time!
But that’s the completely annoying thing, they usually can do it first time! :D Thanks Cass! :)
Your pictures do make it look fun but it just does not appeal to me, I am too much of a woos I suspect! Mich x
Thanks Michelle! :D x
awesome advice, I have never skied and would love to!
Thanks Emma (:
At least you started at 23. I am faced with the scary prospect of learning next year when I will be *coughs* 36 *coughs*. Ahem. Great tips though, thank you.
Take it from me, if I can do it, you definitely can! :D
My hubby has been skiing since he was 5 years old. I’ve only been a few times and am so nervous that even turning seems to scary. Our first ski trip together was probably the first big challenge of our married life and a testament to how patient my hubby can be even when he’s probably screaming on the inside. Anyways… we’ve never taken the kids skiing. I would love to do it sometime, although I do picture me just waiting for everyone in the ski lodge while sipping hot drinks. I think a place with a lift and slope right outside the door would be a must. Some American places have ski valets who will carry your gear for you.
I need a ski valet in my life… :D You know what though, sometimes (usually) I go for the relaxing option and let everyone else get on with it. It’s my holiday too you know, and if I am not happy about skiing that day, forget it! :D
I’ve actually NEVER tried skiing, but I suspect it’s something I’d really enjoy. I’d also love to try my hand at snowboarding…I was pretty decent on a skateboard as a teenager, so I think I might be okay in terms of balance and whatnot!
You would be a natural then, I bet! Thanks Jayne! :)
Great tips Emma – hadn’t thought about pre-booking equipment and passes, definitely worth remembering. Would LOVE to go on a family skiing trip – hasn’t happened yet, but I remain hopeful!! x
Thank you T! I hope you get to go… Come down this way, I can recommend plenty of great places! :) x
Great comprehensive advice. My son would LOVE a ski trip… he’ll have to wait until he’s an adult and go himself I’m afraid! I remember my one and only ski trip about 20 years ago…. and sitting on one of those ski lifts with all our equipment on the first day. With the bar in the UP position!! Oh dear God, how we didn’t fall out I’ll never know……..
That made me really laugh V! :D My best friend has lost countless things from chairlifts, including money, various phones and if I remember correctly an umbrella? But that can’t be right because you wouldn’t take an umbrella skiing would you? :D
Lots of great advice here. I fear that I’ll never get my son skiing. The last time we tried (when we were staying in Italy with friends) he refused to even put his skis on and so my husband and I had to take it in turns to look after him and ski with our daughter.
Oh no… My son was a little like this in the beginning, until we left him and his sister in the capable hands of a very young cool Austrian ski instructor. Worked wonders! Basically we had to run off when they weren’t looking, but it didn’t take long before they were having fun! :D