There are countless ways to ensure your family ski trip does not go sliding downhill. Karen Creed has some tips before you hit the slopes.
1. Most children under 10 will not want to ski all day every day. Book a resort that offers more than just ski activities. Other distractions that they may enjoy include ice-skating, swimming, sledging and tobogganing.
2. It is never too soon to get the kids practicing on their skis. If you have a dry ski slope near to your home try out a few private lessons before they start ski school abroad. This will give them a chance to get their balance on skis so their first day on the slopes is not too alarming.
3. Try to book a resort with a short transfer time from the airport. Coach transfers to ski resorts can be interminable and get the holiday off to a bad start.
4. Make sure you book a resort with suitable nursery slopes: Chamonix, for example, is a lovely resort but surrounded by quite steep slopes. On the otherhand Andorra is well catered to families and offers more for the beginner than the advanced skier.
5. If possible, find English-speaking ski instructors so your children will feel less lost, and ask your travel company about other English-speaking children their own age holidaying at the same time.
6. Check what type of lifts the children will be using: they will find T-bar lifts easier than button lifts or cable cars.
7. Make sure they have a ski helmet and goggles, as they are easier to keep on than sunglasses.
8. Layer their clothing and invest in a good quality, brightly coloured ski suits so you can see them from a long way off. Orange, pink or red is ideal.
9. Useful things to take include Edgie Wedgies (available from ski shops such as Great Outdoors), which hold the skis together and make it easier for snow ploughing.
10. Make sure you pack yeti boots or padded boots for après-ski with a good grip on the sole, otherwise your child will spend the entire holiday falling over.
11. If you are a good skier and want to keep a close eye on them while on the slopes, a reindeer ski harness is ideal. It lets you hang on to your children, but this is only recommended for expert skiers.
12. Book using a company who can arrange ski school, lift passes and ski hire for you. It will be harder to do it once you get to the resort, and you could lose a day’s skiing making the arrangements.
13. Do not exaggerate your child’s ability – it is always better for their morale to be moved up a class than down.
14. Make sure you know where and when they are to be collected – it sounds obvious, but often misunderstandings can occur.
15. Whenever possible, ski in groups. Children will have more fun if they are travelling with friends and will feel less self-conscious about getting up on skis for the first time.
16. When booking a skiing holiday, make sure you know what you are paying for – with lift passes, ski hire and childcare as the cost of skiing holidays can really add up.
17. Eating out can also be expensive, particularly in Switzerland – a reason why a catered chalet or apartment is a good idea.
RECOMMENDED RESORTS FOR KIDS
France: La Plagne, Meribel, Courchevel, Val d’Isère, Les Arcs, Les Deux Alpes
Switzerland: Zermatt, Verbier, Gstaad
Austria: Kitzbühel, St Anton
Italy: Courmayeur
Canada: Whistler, Tremblant
USA: Aspen, Vail
