6 Essentials for a Family Ski Holiday

A family ski holiday is one of the most exciting adventures you can go on with your family. Imaging sitting around the fire in the evening, after a great day hitting the slopes. If you’re planning a ski holiday for an entire family, it can be a little more complicated because you will have to take into consideration everyone’s ages and abilities. Don’t be put off, because it can be really one of the most memorable and special family vacations you can go on. If you’re traveling with younger children, you may want to find a field that has a ski school or a daycare centre onsite. You can also look into accommodation that comes with a nanny. Of course you’re going to want to spend time with your children while away on vacation, but due to their different ski abilities you will also want some time apart so you can really make the most of the mountain. If you’re planning a trip to the mountain, or dreaming of one, here are my top 6 essentials for a family ski holiday.

While a ski holiday can be super fun and relaxing, there are a few things you need to look into in advance. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with where to start, there are lots of available resource out there to help you. If you’re looking to find a great deal for your Family Ski Holiday, then this is the perfect place to start. Because a ski holiday involves a few other things, such as the proper gear and mountain passes, starting a few months before you plan to go away will ensure you’re not feeling stressed or running around stores the day before. The truth is with a ski holiday, the earlier you plan in advance, the better deals you’ll be able to find in terms of accommodation, ski passes, ski gear and even on a ski holiday package. Many people consider ski holidays to be expensive, but if you get started early you can score some serious deals making a family ski holiday much more affordable.

It’s important to decide if you’ll borrow your gear, rent your gear, buy second hand or buy new. You can also do a combination of these things. The main things you’ll need to buy are: ski boots, skis, poles, a good quality jacket and pants, thermals, gloves and googles. It can add up pretty fast, especially if you want to buy name brands like Burton or Roxy. When you consider this amount of gear for a few people, it can quickly become expensive. My suggestion is that you can look in outlet stores, often you’ll find great deals on last seasons gear. The truth is, it’ll still be great and you can often save up to 60% by buying something that’s brand new and last year’s fashion. You can also look to buy your gear second hand, this can be especially good for actual skis, ski boots or even snowboard boots and boards. You can find lightly used or barely used products at a considerable discount. This can be particularly helpful for children, as they grow so fast they often grow out of their gear by the time the next season roles around. Renting can also be a good option, many ski fields offer rental packages that include a day pass. This is usually only good value if you’re spending a day or two at the mountain, any longer and it usually works out more economical to buy and you can always sell after the end of the season.

A mountain holiday can be super exciting for children, they can ski, snowboard, play in the snow and even go sledding. It’s a little more adventurous than most holidays, which is a great way to bond as a family. However it’s likely that your children aren’t as good skiiers as you are, so you’ll have to consider what they’ll do when you’re on the mountain. There are plenty of mountains that have fun activities and special activities for the kids to ensure they’re not bored. Some accommodation can also offer nanny service, which can be a great way to enjoy the mountain stress free. It’s a good idea to get your children into ski school while they’re young as they’ll usually pick things up much faster and be more confident on the mountain for any future family ski holidays.

You’re going to make sure you have enough appropriate clothing for your ski trip. One of my essentials for going to the mountain are a good set of thermals. They can make such a huge difference and the mountain can get really cold, especially when you’re in the shade. If you feel a little hot while wearing a thermal, they pack up small and you can take it off and even put it in your jacket’s pockets. In my opinion it’s always better to be a bit too warm and able to shed some layers, than too cold and freezing!

Once you’ve got your ski pass, your accommodation and all the gear sorted, you’re probably ready and rearing to go. But there’s something else you should consider, especially if you’re going as a family on a ski holiday. Food can be extremely expensive at the mountain, and while there’s nothing better than huddling inside the restaurant and having a break from the cool winter air, you will see that the food adds up extremely fast. At the very least, I suggest taking some snacks along with you so that you can snack during your ski run without breaking the bank. Here are a list of foods that are great to take to the mountain and can fit easily in a small day pack: bananas, muesli bars, dried fruit and nuts. For younger children, fruit pouches can be a great way to get a little boost of energy during the day.

You might be laughing at me – why would you need sunscreen during winter? Well the truth is that the snow is extremely reflective and can make it very easy to get sunburned. Combine that with the fact you usually spend at least 5-6 hours on the mountain at any time. You don’t want to come back from your ski holiday with red, burning skin. Pack some high quality sunscreen and make sure that everyone in your family puts it on their face before they go out. Remember to reapply at least once during the day to ensure that you’re protected from any sun risks.

A ski holiday is likely to be one of the most fun trips you take and with these 6 tips you’ll be well prepared to make the most of your snow adventure.