This winter, alongside our Christmas Gift Guides, we're going to run a mini series on skiing with children (as eluded to in our round up on polar bear goodies earlier this week). The reason for this is I am taking my family skiing this Christmas! We're off to Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps. It's a high-altitude ski area – one of the highest in the world – and boasts an excellent snow record, well above average sunshine conditions and an amazing 223km of snow-sure ski slopes!
We're going with quite a mixed group of skiers – from those who'll throw themselves down a black run with glee, some intermediates, my ski loving 9 year old, Lola, who is better than her mama (annoyingly!), her 8 year old buddy who loves it as much as she does, my 5 year old, Finn, who thinks he's an Olympian after one dry slope ski lesson and a dinky little 3 three year old who's getting her ski boots on for the first time. Six adults, four kids, one large apartment. It's going to be brilliant!
We have booked with a company called Peak Retreats, who specialise in the French Alps and know the place inside out. Just for clarity, this is not a paid for or sponsored post, but one about what we're doing and who we're doing it with. Don't just take my word for how good they are though, a month or so ago they received The Times Travel Editor's Award! That's no mean feat! Anyway... today we're starting our Skiing with Kids series with The Basics.
Skiing gets a bit of a bad rep for being super-pricey and it's fair to say that if you're planning on going during February half-term prices do go up (inline with any other holiday), but during other times you will be able to find great deals. If you're looking to go during the school holidays...
Christmas – when we're going – is considered early season and there are some really brilliant deals to be had. If you're thinking about it, book soon as offers are ending. When skiing early in the season, make sure you have access to high attitude, snow-sure skiing. It's one of the reasons we're heading to Les Deux Alpes – you can even ski there in summer.
Easter is also a lot cheaper than February half-term (but speak to your tour operator about where to go for good snow). Last year, I stayed in Tignes Les Brevieres in April and it was glorious. I would happily go back there again.
If you're more flexible about when you can go, you will find some great deals either side of the peak weeks.
When skiing with kids you want to find a resort that has ..
Family-friendly slopes
You need to ensure there's a good selection of easy greens and a nursery slope. This is so important for new skiers (not just children), to really get their confidence up. Look for things like magic carpets, which are basically like the conveyers you get in the airport, you stand on them and it takes you to your destination, so there's no need for the very youngest to worry about how to use lifts.
Off-piste actives
Choose a resort with plenty of activities to keep everyone happy when they're not skiing. Think swimming pools, cinemas, bowling, dog sledding, etc.
Think about how close things are, like lifts/nursery slope/ski school or crèche, when you book accommodation, but don't fret. Those that aren't right next to the ski school meeting point will have shuttle buses etc. It's all good, but just needs a little more organisation.
You will need to get layered up properly. The kids will need a snow jacket and salopettes or a snow suit, snow boots, waterproof gloves, goggles, hat, snood, sunglasses and sun cream.
They'll also need base layers (warm thermal clothing) and mid-layers like fleeces to go under the ski jackets. If you ski at the end of the season you won't need to layer up quite so much.
I would go with 3 x base layers – they're like pyjamas and the kids love them. A pair of ski socks for every day. A couple of fleeces and one set of outerwear.
You'll also need a pair of warm waterproof ski gloves.
So a quick list would look like this...
- Waterproof ski gloves
- Ski goggles
- Thermals/base layers
- Ski socks
- A warm hat for when they're not skiing
- A helmet for when they are skiing
- Suncream: I really burnt my face last time I was skiing
- Salopettes
- Ski jacket
- Mid layers
See below for some of our recommendations on where to buy your ski gear.
Self-catering is cheaper than a chalet or hotel and you know that the kids are going to eat what they're served too! If you drive you can take everything you need with you. We are driving with an overnight stay in Reims to break the journey up and even with petrol etc, it works out cheaper than us flying with our kit.
Hire equipment, don't buy no matter how much the kids nag! Lola is desperate for her own kit, but until she stops growing or we go skiing more than once a year, that's not going to happen. Both Lola and Finn have their own helmets (they're as cheap to buy as they are to hire), but the rest we rent in resort. Arrange this before you go, so you're not faffing about when you get there.
As a general rule, the more of you sharing a chalet/apartment, the cheaper it is per person. We're staying in a four-bedroom apartment, with an alcove with bunks for the girls to sleep in. For this reason, it's a good idea to get your party together and book as early as possible.
There are often deals on ski equipment and lift passes when adults pre book theirs. Ask when you book what offers are available.
Preloved is great. You can find some brilliant buys on eBay and Facebook Marketplace for all things ski, including what the kids will be wearing.
If you travel with Peak Retreats you get Eurotunnel Flexiplus upgrade free with pretty much all holidays which is worth over £400, but it's actually invaluable as it means you don't have to stress about meeting ferry times.
Smaller resorts are often cheaper than their better-known neighbours, but have access to the same ski area! Again, call up and ask who you're booking with for advice.
Lots of resorts have kids clubs, créche facilities and the like. If you book all inclusive this kind of thing is often included. However, if you're doing self-drive and self-catered there are still lots of options open to you.
Take a helping pair of hands with you. We have the in-laws coming with us, so if we're not back from our adventures in time for ski school pick-up, we know they will be!
Ski with another family. This means you can all take it in turns to watch the kids. Plus I know us mums are going to be going for some ski action without the men and kids! Bliss.
Ski School. If required, most ski schools can offer full days for children with a break for lunch. Some will offer skiing in the morning and activities in the afternoon, others offer skiing both morning and afternoon, this usually depends on the age of the child.
Ski school is brilliant. I really recommend getting children lessons. Not only do they learn to ski, but as they progress they will learn the mountain too, ski safety and more. Kids pick up skiing super quickly when with the right instructors.
There is no right age to teach your child to ski. Ski schools generally take children from the age of 3 and to snowboard from the age of 8 but this varies. Many ski schools have groups based on ability and age. For example, Finn's booked in to a group for just 4 and 5 year olds.
Don't pressure your kids. Make it fun and they're sure to thrive. If not, have a back up plan. To make ski school as stress-free for first timers as possible I really recommend you spend some time prepping them.
Finn, 5, has recently had a one to one lesson at SnowTrax and he's booked in to a group lesson on snow at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. Lola's a great skier, but she still had a lesson to find her ski legs and get some tips. It's all about the confidence on that first day at ski school. Friends of ours booked their 8 year old on to lessons found on Groupon in prep for our Christmas ski and her confidence soared!
Skiing with kids can be a mission if you don't prepare yourself properly, so with that in mind here's a few tips to make life easier.
Get their outfit ready the night before. Have it all laid out – it will save you lots of time in the morning. Ski school starts around 9.30 so it is up and out!
Secure their gloves to their jackets. I am a big fan of the old school elastic through the arms, or, if your jacket allows, tie the gloves to the cuffs. Saves lost gloves and makes it a lot easier when they're getting ready.
Let the children rest. Load up that iPad and let them chill. Skiing is hard work. They will need downtime.
Pack loads of snacks. No-one wants to drag an hungry, tired kid around with them. Stuff something easy to eat in their pockets and a spare in yours, too!
We're lucky. Les Deux Alpes has lots of beginner slopes up high so the littlest in our group will be able to experience the beauty of the mountains but, if your resort doesn't have that, take the kids up to the top of the mountain in the gondola because it's so amazing! Give them a camera and let them be inspired. You can go up as foot passengers, and if you plan correctly can have lunch or a hot chocolate.
Let them try on all their outfits before you go! Make it a game because, quite honestly, it's a ball-ache getting them ready, so getting them onside and familiar will help.
Pack sharpies and masking tape. Name everything that's yours but also masking tape and sharpie the kids skis, poles, boots and other hire equipment. It will make life a lot easier in the mornings and during breaks at ski school when they're trying to work out what kit is theirs!
Teach them ski etiquette. It's not difficult but it's so important – especially that where to stop thing!
Keep them keen. Don't overdo it. Make them want more.
WHERE TO SHOP FOR SKI CLOTHES
Now, being the coolhunters we are, we have been hunting down the best places to buy skiwear and over the next few weeks will be running some dedicated posts and even a giveaway! But, for now, here are some stores we know and love who have great skiwear.
If you have any questions, leave a comment below, and do subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don't miss our next ski post!
Hi I put the kids in a thermal long sleeved top (M&S) with a cotton poloneck over the top (La Redoute) and then a fleece over the top if it’s really cold… all of this goes under their jacket. I like Dare2B for the fleeces, they’re very lightweight.
Layering to perfection! I’ve not checked out the M&S thermals. Will do though! great tip.
I would say go straight to decathlon for kids ski wear. We were in france last year and all the french kids were wearing it. Our children were warm and dry and it is so much cheaper. The snow boots are so good and easy to get on and off. The only things I spent more on were gloves and base layers (Because our kids wear them as PJs). Also H and M do really good value fleeces.