Taking the family skiing?

by Pip Parry, Ski Power Ltd

If you are considering taking the family skiing this season and don’t know where to start please read on.We have some useful information and tips to help you when considering booking a skiing holiday. 

Which ski resort?

There are hundreds of resorts to choose from and many are child friendly and  have a good selection of beginner runs. The ski runs in Europe are graded Green - absolute beginners, Blue - beginners, Red - Intermediate and Black - Advanced. There are plenty of websites which describe the resorts and as a pointer some of the most popular ski areas in Europe are in the Three Valleys which cater for all levels of skier and children from absolute beginners to advanced.

Budgeting

Most tour operators will provide an all inclusive package to include catered accommodation in a chalet or chalet hotels, flights and transfers as a standard. You will then need to add in the cost of lift passes and ski hire and also ski lessons and childcare - depending on the age range of your children.

Most operators will provide costs for the passes and ski hire and generally speaking you would be best to book all under one roof - especially if you are first timers!  Lift passes in many resorts are free for under fives and many resorts will have family rates. The cost of equipment hire varies but there are usually child ski packs and adult ski packs which are good value.

Accommodation

Catered chalets do seem to be the most popular with families as it is like home from home and you can relax and enjoy being catered for all week. Some of the best value accommodation is likely to be in chalets that have family rooms. So quad rooms in chalets are popular and very often the child price will be very low if you have two children sharing with parents.

Look for chalets that are close to the slopes, lifts and ski schools. Children do get tired and the last thing you want is to have to bus it to the lifts each morning and evening. Most operators will provide an earlier tea time for children but best to check first.

Ski school

There are many ski schools to choose from these days and it depends on the level and age of the children. My advice is to talk to the tour operator and discuss the ski schools with them first as they will know the ones that will suit your needs best.

Childcare

Private nannies and creche facilities can be booked through the operator - but many do not run this themselves. Again if you can keep this in house then you have more control and can discuss what is best for you in resort. If you have a few children then a private nanny facility is the most flexible and usually most cost effective. For the babies, the creches are good and you can book them in for the full six days and the rates are usually very good. Most UK companies employ UK staff and you should check that they are CRB checked.

Ski wear

It doesn’t cost a fortune to kit out kids or adults these days. You can get some fantastic internet deals if you shop around and if we have a winter like the last then they will get good use out of their kit!

Skiing really is a great family activity and is a fabulous holiday so don’t delay - get searching and speak to the tour operators now.

For a 10% discount book your skiiing holiday at www.skipower.co.uk or phone 01737 30 60 29 and quote ABC09.