Planning a family ski holiday is wonderful and exciting, however it can be quite stressful as there’s so many different things to take into consideration. Going on a ski holiday as a family is such a lovely way to unwind from the everyday stresses of life, and experience a winter wonderland together. However, choosing the right ski resort can make or break your holiday, and I’m sure you want it to be a special and memorable trip, so here’s a quick guide to help you pick the right one for you and your family.
Think About Ski Skill Levels and Lesson Options
What skiing skill levels does your family have? Are you all roughly on the same level, or do you have a good mix of experience? If the answer is the latter, it’s really important to pick a resort that caters to different skill levels. Beginner-friendly resorts can be good ones to look at (such as resorts with a variety of slopes, designated beginner areas and ones that have family zones) so long as there’s enough terrain to keep the more experienced in the family excited. The family zones are great if you have younger children, as they’re designed for children and beginners so that they can gradually build their confidence at a pace that works for them.
Resorts with highly rated ski schools like the ESF in France are really handy to go-to, because they can usually offer both group and private lessons for the children as well as the adults. Some resorts even have instructors that are trained to work with younger children, so this is something to look into if you have little ones that may find it all a bit overwhelming.
If you’re a family with lots of experience when it comes to skiing, or even snowboarding, you’re probably better off sticking with resorts that have a range of more advanced slopes, as you’ll appreciate the challenge!
Check For Family-Friendly Amenities
Some of the best family ski resorts really do go above and beyond with their child-friendly amenities, and that’s exactly what you want when you’re looking for the best holiday for your family. Some of the things you can take into consideration when looking for your resort include:
Childcare, meaning that parents get some time to enjoy the slopes child-free. Lots of resorts have some great kids clubs and indoor playgrounds, and some even have creches and nannies who can take care of very small children and babies.
Family rooms, because bigger accommodation with family and interconnected rooms offer you more comfort and privacy. A lot of resorts go to the lengths of having themed rooms for children which little ones will love.
Family-friendly dining options, because a good variety of dining choices is usually what you need as a family. Buffets can be really convenient, and plenty of kids menus and allergy-friendly options mean that you can all find something you like.
Kids activites, because we all know how much less a holiday becomes enjoyable when the little ones get bored. Resorts with lots of things for children to do are always a winner.
What Makes The Best Family Ski Holiday?
A top tip for organising and booking a ski holiday is a simple one. Don’t try to do it yourself. It’s meant to be a holiday for the parents too, so get a package from a ski specialist travel agent like one for a ski holiday in France. For an almost guaranteed stress-free week, pick an all inclusive package, where literally everything is done for you. Holiday time is precious, so make sure your next family ski holiday makes magical memories for everyone!
Accessibility and Safety
If you have really small children, accessibility can be a major deal breaker when it comes to choosing a holiday resort. It’s pretty much essential if you have babies in prams, or toddlers who are incredibly independent. Ease of getting to the resort from the airport is a must, as well as the convenience of getting around the resort itself.
Make sure to look at resorts with a nearby airport or with shuttle services, as well as ones with direct transfers to make your journey easier. This is where booking a package holiday rather than trying to DIY your hotel, flights and transfers, can really pay off in stress avoidance! A ski-in and ski-out resort is really convenient too, with direct access to the slopes from where you stay, meaning it’s less hassle to transport skis and other gear around. An often overlooked factor is on-site medical facilities, many of the family-orientated resorts have on-site first aid stations and medical professionals to hand, which is one less worry on an active and sporty holiday.
Speaking of safety, you should also protect your precious holiday money by only booking and ATOL protected package, so look out for the logo, because only ski holiday providers with ATOL protection are allowed to display it.
Look Into The Best Resorts For Families
There’s loads of ski resorts around the world that are particularly family-friendly and offer a wide range of experiences for the whole family. There’s far too many to list all of them, but they include:
Les Arcs, France: Les Arcs is great for intermediate-level family skiing, but it has the best accommodation options for families. With a village of self-catering apartments that wrap around a traffic-free plaza full of bakeries, restaurants, and equipment hire, it makes the holiday a breeze for parents. There’s also an all-inclusive Club Med at Arc 1600 with endless buffets three times a day, kids clubs, and ski lessons included in the cost of your holiday.
Serfaus, Austria: Serfaus in Austria is an amazing destination for a family holiday, it’s linked to the neighbouring resorts of Fiss and Ladis and makes young families feel so welcome. The whole village is traffic-free and served by an underground railway with lots of child-friendly hotels dotted around. There’s kids clubs, swimming pools, a 96m waterslide, climbing wall, zip wire, and a five storey soft play tower! The best time of year to go to this one is over the Christmas period.
Whistler Blackcomb, Canada: Whistler has specially designed family zones and a huge variety of snow schools making it ideal for families. There’s even an enchanted tree fort and magic castle which is bound to excite the little ones. It also has over 200 shops, and 150 restaurants and bars, and lots of non-ski activities such as ice skating, tubing, a kids adventure zone, and a fire & ice show. There really is so much to do.
Hopefully this helps you choose your next family ski holiday resort with a bit less stress, and you manage to find one that ticks all the boxes. Taking the time to find the right one will make your holiday much more relaxed and enjoyable.
