Tips For Planning Your Family’s First Ski Holiday

Getting the best from a family ski holiday often means devising the right plan. This applies whether you’re heading out for the first time ever, or the twentieth.

But exactly what does a good plan involve? Let’s consider a few of the more important components.

Choose a Family-Friendly Ski Resort

To begin with, you’ll need to choose a resort that suits your particular tastes, and the needs of your family. For new skiers, the quality of the local ski schools might be pivotal. Getting a good instructor might not only change your holiday experience, but help to equip you with the skills that you’ll need to enjoy skiing holidays in the future.

Certain resorts, and nations, enjoy a great reputation when it comes to their family-friendly culture and facilities. Options such as Andorra ski holidays provide an excellent, family-friendly experience that can often rival those more popular locations such as France and Italy.

Arrange Ski Lessons for All Family Members

If you’re going to be sure of getting the right ski education, it’s often a good idea to book your lessons well in advance. This will help to ensure that you’re able to get the instruction you need, and that you’ll be able to approach the slopes with confidence and professional support. In many cases, you’ll find instruction available for private groups – and this can often provide a better, more focused experience, especially for those who’ve progressed beyond the nursery slopes.

Prepare Appropriate Ski Gear and Clothing

If you aren’t wearing the right clothing, and you don’t have the appropriate equipment, then you’re unlikely to have an enjoyable experience. Three layers, including a thermal base layer, salopettes, and a waterproof jacket, are essential. You’ll also want to wear a helmet, since these can provide vital protection in the event of a collision.

If you’re skiing for the first time, then it might make more sense to rent equipment than to buy it. You might not yet have an idea of what kind of gear you really like, and rentals will give you a chance to experiment with different ski lengths. The second-hand market can also be fantastic for those looking to find quality gear at a reasonable price.

Plan Off-Slope Activities and Rest Days

Many new skiers will be so enamoured with the pastime that they want to spend every available moment on the slopes. In other cases, however, you might want to take the occasional break. Look for resorts that provide other activities, so that you can enjoy a spare day away from the piste. These might include swimming pools, ice rinks, tobogganing, or just about any other kind of wintery fun. Research the resort before you arrive, and come up with a shortlist of attractions you’d like to visit.