Family Skiing

I had big reservations about booking our first family ski holiday.  All the usual uncertainties…….its so expensive, its so much effort, it involves buying (or borrowing) so much stuff and what if I couldn’t remember how to ski or the kids just didn’t like it?

Friends persuaded us that the effort was definitely worth it and that we would all love it…….we booked it and hoped they were right!

We flew to Geneva and drove to the pretty ski resort of Chatel, part of the huge Portes du Soleil ski circuit close to the Swiss border.  Its great for both beginners and intermediates and the village has a very small family friendly feel to it.  Also if you get bored there are two other really nice resorts close by – Linga and Pres La Joux.  We were staying in a great chalet just a five minute walk to the shops and restaurants with amazing views over the valley and a great ski hire shop a few minutes away.

We had booked 6 days of beginner ski lessons for the kids with ESF and a 5 day intermediate course for myself and my friend with BASS and I’m so glad we did.  Both instructors were really good and the kids were flying down the slopes by the end of the week with no problem – it was hard to believe none of them had ever skied before.

In the evenings there were plenty of local bars and restaurants to choose from all with great food but they get very busy during half term so its worth making reservations in advance especially if there is a big group of you.  Our Chalet had a sauna and a hot tub (which got a lot of use by the kids) and there was also a really lovely open air heated pool in the centre of town which seemed very popular.

Needless to say we all loved it.  The beautiful scenery, the fresh air, the exhilarating feeling of flying down the mountain first thing in the morning and the well deserved hot chocolate (or vin chaud) at the end.  Yes it involves a lot more effort than lounging by the pool in the sun and there are a lot more early mornings than late nights but it is definitely worth it.

TOP FIVE FAMILY SKI TIPS

Do Your Research…..

Find out where your resort is in relation to the slopes and local restaurants.  Is it child friendly with lots of beginner runs and are there buses to transfer you or will you need to drive there each day.

Beg, Borrow or Buy All The Gear……

Its really worth getting good quality ski clothes.  Its miserable for kids when they’re cold and/or wet half way up a mountain! if you can’t borrow it then lots of places have good discounted gear on sale such as T.K. Maxx, Sports Direct and Decathlon or Sport Pursuit is a great website for good deals.  Base layers are the most important to keep you warm (Merino Wool is the best) and chose bright coloured ski clothes or helmets so its easy to spot your little ones once they run off down the slopes!

Book Ski Lessons in Advance…..

These can often get booked up months in advance so its well worth organising before you go to make sure you get an instructor that speaks your language and the right class for your ability.  Lessons also get you to the front of the queue at the ski lifts which is great in school holidays when they can be really busy.  You can reserve Ski hire and lift passes in advance too to make everything that much easier.

Book a Dry Ski-slope Session……

This can be incredibly useful for kids who have never worn skis get used to the sensation of heavy boots and bindings.  Just spending an hour with them on their feet will prepare them for whats to come and the

Leave plenty of TIME in the Morning….

Everything takes longer than you think when skiing.  Getting everyone dressed, remembering where everyone left their gloves, helmet, neck warmer etc.  packing a bag with everything you need and then walking to the bus or ski lifts in heavy ski boots and joining long queues so leave yourself plenty of time (especially if you have booked those early 9am ski lessons!)