With two weeks until February Half Term, we’ve rustled up some tips on how to have a stress free family ski holiday.
Scroll down for some advice from Chloe Dannatt (Mum of two!).
This is Chloe’s family!
Hi Chloe! So what is the secret to picking the right resort for a stress-free family ski holiday?
I always check where the nursery slopes are. If you need to catch a bus, or it’s not connected to the main ski area, there will be a lot of to-ing and fro-ing with the little ones, and ultimately, you’ll get less ski time.
What should you look for when picking a chalet or accommodation for a family ski holiday?
From experience, the most important thing is the location of your accommodation relative to the ski school. The morning ‘get-ready-and-go’ can be quite an event, so the closer the ski school is, the better.
What should you buy, borrow, and/or hire for a ski holiday?
I bought for my oldest and passed everything down. Ski gear is expensive, and the cheap stuff doesn’t last so either look for high quality brands or borrow as much as you can until they’re older and have stopped growing.
(If you need 2nd hand or rental ski gear we recommend checking Dotte or EcoSki)
What should you pack for a family ski holiday?
The secret to keeping warm in the mountains is to wear
layers so you can quickly scale up or down throughout the day - especially important as you head to central-heated restaurants for lunch or hot chocolate.
My top tip with kids is to make everything easy to access for toilet stops. A one-piece overall is better than a dungaree-style salopettes and jacket. Or even better if you can find ski gear with a mid-level zip to access toilets.
How can you save money on a family ski holiday?
Ski with another family. That way you can share the cost of babysitters, ski lessons etc. You can also tag team the child care and get more time on the mountain. It’s also fun for the kids to have playmates.
What are the pros and cons of catered vs self-catering family ski holiday?
Self catered gives you full flexibility and the freedom to change plans at the drop of a hat. There are meal delivery services available in the Alps so you won’t even need to cook. Catered is of course a treat and one less thing to think about, but you are often restricted to a set menu and set meal times which can be tricky if you’ve got kids spanning all ages.
Any other tips?
It's good to know what the kids can do aside from skiing. Is there a water park or a bowling alley that can provide entertainment if it’s all just a bit much or the weather closes in.
The UK is blessed with multiple indoor snow domes. Use them! Try some lessons if you’ve got little ones who haven’t skied before. It’s a great way to ease the nerves (or increase the excitement), and it’s good for them to experience the feeling of skis/boots/snow before you go.
Where can I find the best family chalets?
If this inspires you to book a trip then we’ve curated some of the best family ski chalets in the Alps - all at incredible prices.
