If you have never skied before the idea of taking the family on a ski holiday may be a bit daunting. If on the other hand you have skied before you may also be wondering how to cope with childcare, what age can your child learn to ski and what ski equipment to look at for your family. Fear not as we have prepared guides here on everything we think you will need to know from choosing the perfect family resort to what age to ski and childcare options.
A family ski holiday is a fantastic family friendly action packed holiday for adults and children alike. The whole family gets fresh air, learns something new in stunning and breathtaking surroundings and in good family friendly ski resorts there are a range of activities to do in the village outside of skiing.
It is however an expensive holiday and one that takes quite a lot of preparation to get right. When it does work and go well there is nothing like it. There is an art to choosing the perfect family ski resort and getting the right level of support for your family from childcare to ski school.
Besides downhill skiing, many resorts offer a huge range of adventure sports including sledging, snowboarding, skating, sleigh riding, snowmobiles and dog mushing. Cross country trails and snow shoeing can also be a less costly alternative to downhill skiing and great for less comfortable or less adventurous skiers. Mixed activity family holidays are on the increase and companies such as France Outdoors have a good range of options for families.
Make sure you have the appropriate winter sports family travel insurance and that this covers all members of the family including the children. Getting equipment right is important as well so check our kids ski equipment and packing guide.
Book early for school holidays
There are limited school holidays in the ski season so book early as the best family friendly resorts will get booked up with many already booked. Supply will be further squeezed for families by the fact that nearly all of Britain's schools to take their break over the same week February 14-21. The Easter school holidays in 2009 are late and not as attractive for a family ski holiday (UK Easter school holidays are around the 6th April). Here are an outline of the school holidays in the ski season.
England school holidays
Christmas 22nd December to 2nd/5th or 6th January 2009
Midterm break 16th to 20th February 2009 and standardized like us
Easter 6th April to 20th April
France school holidays
Christmas 20th December to 4th January 2009
Midterm 7 February - 9 March and they are zoned taking two weeks each. The Parisian holidays which are the real ones to avoid will be 14 February to 1st March so this also overlaps with the Irish midterm.
All in the key is to get booking now.
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
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