A Guide To Skiing With The Kids In Tow

Skiing is one of those things that many parents are wary about doing with kids in tow, but that shouldn’t be the case. During the winter months, skiing is the perfect vacation. You shouldn’t be stopped from going away just because you have children to think about.

I am a big believer in travelling with my kids to all sorts of destinations and do so on a regular basis. To help make the idea of skiing with children in tow a little less stressful, I thought I would share a few useful tips:

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Be choosy about when you go

Okay, so you want to travel this winter, but can’t decide when. Should you go during the Christmas period or at another time? While Christmas is a magical time to ski, during the festive period, you’ll find that most ski resorts will be packed.

When taking your little ones skiing for the first time, it’s best to go at a time when it won’t be busy. Learning to ski is hard enough without incredibly busy slopes. So if your kids have never skied before, it’s best not to go at Christmas. Choose a time that’s less likely to be busy, such as the start of December or end of January.

Pick a child-friendly resort

While most resorts are suitable for the whole family, some are more child-friendly than others. For example, while Vail is family-friendly, there are more steep slopes than child-friendly ones. Whereas, Breckenridge in Colorado has a good selection of slopes, all in relatively close distance to one another.   

As well as taking into account the slopes, it’s also a good idea to think about the services provided at the resort. For example, at Breckenridge, there are lots of family restaurants, child care, and ski instructors. Make sure that there are ski instructors who are native English speakers, to teach your kids. As otherwise, they’ll find learning too difficult.

Choose somewhere that will save you money

Family holidays can be expensive, so any resorts that offer you ways to save money are perfect. Look out for deals on lift passes - some resorts offer free passes for under 10s. Some ski restaurants do half price deals on kid’s meals, so make sure to keep an eye out for these.

Another way you can save money on your trip is by opting to take the shuttle from the airport, instead of a cab or hire car. For example, at Breckenridge, you can save a lot of money by opting to travel via shuttle instead of taxi. Obviously, if you do plan on travelling via bus, make sure to check the Breckenridge airport shuttle schedules.

Stay in a chalet

While you will find plenty of fantastic deals for hotels online, if you are travelling with kids, staying in a chalet is a better option. Not only will the kids have more room to run about, but you’ll also have access to a kitchen. So, should you have a fussy eater, you can cater to their needs. Instead of having to stress about eating out.

Skiing with kids might be a little more complicated than hitting the slopes child-free, but you can still have an amazing time.

Step By Step Guide To Planning A Dream Ski Holiday

Winter presents a whole range of unique travelling opportunities. For many people, it means going on a ski holiday! If you want to go skiing this winter, follow my step by step planning guide:

Decide On When You Want To Go

Naturally, ski holidays are a winter thing. So, you won’t be booking a summer ski holiday! Your first decision will be to pick the best time for you to go. Some people choose to go skiing for Christmas; others pick February as the best time to go. It will depend on your schedule and the schedule of anyone you’re going with (unless you’re going alone). Most ski resorts will get very busy during the middle part of winter, so be aware of that. You may want it to be busy, you may want it to be quiet, it’s up to you! The important thing is to pick a time before you move on in the planning process.

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Pick The Perfect Location

Picking the location is key to planning your perfect ski holiday. You want to go somewhere where the slopes are sublime, and safety is a priority. If you’re looking for a European ski holiday, then the French resort of Meribel is a great choice. For years, families have been journeying here to enjoy the snow and ski throughout winter. You may not have heard of it, as it’s not as famous as some other French places, so look for some information about Meribel before you commit to it. Of course, this isn’t the only option for you, there are plenty of other ski resorts out there. Make sure you pick one that has positive reviews and you know will lead to a good time.

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Book Your Accommodation In Advance

As soon as you’ve picked where you want to go, you have to start looking at places to stay. All ski resorts will have a range of accommodation for you to pick from. There are different types of ski lodge that come in different styles. The trouble is, accommodation sells out very quickly. So, you have to make sure you’re booking it well in advance. If you’ve decided to go on an impulse ski holiday, don’t be surprised if you can’t find anywhere to stay. Book as soon as you can, it will make things a hell of a lot easier.

Get All Your Gear Sorted

The final thing you’ll do is get all the gear you need to bring. This means buying suitable clothing for a ski holiday. You’ll need to buy waterproof ski trousers and jackets. As well as some ski goggles, a helmet and ski gloves. I’d also recommend you get sunglasses too - I know this may sound weird but bear with me. If the sun is out, it can reflect off the snow and be a real pain if it then shines in your eyes, so sunglasses are important. Of course, you’ll need your ski poles and skis too, if you have any. If not, some ski resorts let you rent them during your stay. Although, it’s more comfortable using your own things.