Are you a family of snow lovers? Can’t wait until those first flakes fall so you can strap on your skis and take off down the slopes? You’re not alone. Each winter, thousands of families pack up the kids and head to their favorite ski resorts to enjoy a host of winter sports and snow-related activities.
Some parents, however, hesitate to tackle skiing with children. Taking the family skiing can be quite a chore, especially when traveling with little ones. Experts, however, will tell you that you shouldn’t give up your passion for skiing just because you have children. Kids as young as 2 or 3 years old can learn to ski, and truth be told, little children often learn faster than adults! They’re uninhibited and rarely fear the idea of zooming down a snowy slope at high speed. For kids, it’s all about fun, and as long as you don’t instill any fears in them, they’ll probably learn quickly.
That said, planning a ski holiday with kids is definitely different than skiing on your own. There are several factors to consider, including things you may not even think about when booking a ski trip for just you and a group of adults.
Choosing the Right Ski Resort for Your Family
Perhaps, over the years, you’ve developed some favorite spots to hone your skills. It might be just a short drive from your front door or a world away. Before you book a family stay at your favorite resort, however, there are some important items to research. Just because the resort was right for you doesn’t necessarily mean it will be ideal for your family.
- Travel Time – If you’re traveling to the slopes with small children, make sure the ride isn’t too grueling. If you’re driving, a ski resort within an hour or two of your home is preferable when traveling with kids. If you’re able to fly, consider the same parameters. While the Alps might sound appealing, a long-distance trip will tire your children and may detract from your vacation. As your kids get older, you can venture farther away for your ski holiday.
- Ski School – Locating a ski resort with a quality ski school is crucial for families with first-time skiers. Research the options before booking lessons. Find out what ages are served and how many children are in each class. Ask how the ages are divided to ensure that your younger ones won’t be mixed in with older kids. Also, inquire about the instructors’ experience with children.
- Difficulty of the Ski Runs – Every ski resort has a variety of runs suitable for skiers of different experience levels. Some very well-known resorts cater primarily to advanced and expert skiers. Even if your kids have some experience, it’s best to choose a resort with a good selection of beginner and intermediate runs. This way, you can enjoy skiing as a family, even if the slopes are a bit too easy for your skill level. After all, it’s about enjoying time together!
- Equipment Rental – If you don’t own your own ski equipment (many beginning skiers don’t), find a destination with a good rental program, either at the resort or nearby. If you live near a ski rental store that’s less expensive, you might be tempted to use them. However, don’t forget you’ll need to transport all of it to your destination and back. Some resorts offer special rental deals for those who book accommodations with them. For example, you might be able to keep the same equipment for the entire length of your stay, instead of returning it at the end of each day. It’s probably best not to buy equipment for small children—they’ll outgrow it quickly, and you won’t get much return on your investment.
- Additional Activities – If not everyone in your family is an avid skier or if your kids span a range of ages, be sure to find a destination with a variety of activities. Perhaps your older kids like to snowboard. If so, locate a resort that’s snowboarder-friendly (not all resorts welcome boarders). Also, remember that little kids won’t be able to spend the whole day outside, so find accommodations with indoor activities, like a pool or video game room. Some ski resorts even offer special organized kids’ and teens’ programs, which include skiing and other activities.
- Crowds – If this is the first time your child is skiing, try to avoid especially crowded weekends, like extended school holidays. Long lift lines and crowded ski school classes can be overwhelming for young children. Target less popular weekends or weeks. February tends to be a good month, but if you’re in the U.S., you’ll want to avoid the President’s Day holiday weekend.
- Set Limits – Remember, when your child says they’re cold or tired, call it a day, even if you’re tempted to squeeze in a few more runs. One way to turn your child off to the sport is to make them stay outside long after they’ve had enough.
Teaching Your Kids to Ski
If you’re excited about taking your children on their first ski excursion, you’re no doubt eager to pass on all your skiing knowledge to your offspring. But ski experts often advise against this. Most agree that children tend to learn faster in a group setting with peers of similar ages, in a class taught by a complete stranger. It’s tough to teach your own kids—whether it’s skiing or anything else. Parents tend to have less patience with their own children.
Children also learn well when a little peer pressure is applied. They’ll want to keep up with their new friends, so they’ll likely work harder to stay on task.
Once your child finishes their lessons and joins you on the slopes, avoid shouting instructions or berating them for sloppy skills. If you want your children to love skiing as much as you do, be patient and nurturing while they’re still learning. This will ensure years of fun as a skiing family.
