How to Have a Fantastic Family Ski Holiday

A family ski holiday is a very different trip from the long days on the slopes and late nights that many parents remember from before children. With the right planning, though, it can be one of the most rewarding holidays there is: fresh air, snow, and the thrill of watching children find their ski legs. These tips will help you plan a trip that works for everyone.

Try before you commit

If your children have never been on skis, a session at an indoor snow centre or a dry slope in the UK is a sensible first step. Even a few hours will show you whether they enjoy the snow, cope with the cold and heavy boots, and have the patience for lessons. If they are too young for skiing, sledging and playing in the snow is still a good test. It helps you decide whether to book ski school, a kids' club or a different kind of holiday altogether.

Ski school

• Check the language. Ask whether lessons are taught in English, or whether there are English-speaking instructors in each group.
• Look at group sizes and ages. Smaller groups and lessons split by age and ability usually mean more attention for each child.
• Choose resorts popular with UK families, so your child is more likely to be in a group with other English-speaking children.
• Have a plan B. Some children love ski school from the first morning; others hate it. Find out the cancellation or change policy, and think about what you'll do if your child refuses to go back.

Childcare for little ones

For children too young to ski, or those who would rather not, options include resort crèches and kids' clubs, private nannies and chalets with childcare included, which can work well for larger groups. Check:

• the minimum age, staff-to-child ratios and carer qualifications;
• opening hours and location, and whether they give you enough time on the slopes to justify the cost;
• what is included, such as lunch, outdoor play or a taster ski session.

Sometimes a non-skiing grandparent or friend in your group is the best childcare of all.

Choosing the resort

• Transfer time. A short transfer from the airport makes a huge difference with tired children.
• Gentle nursery slopes close to the village, ideally with easy lifts or magic carpets.
• Ski-in, ski-out access, or a short walk to the lifts, saves carrying skis and children through the snow.
• Off-slope activities such as swimming pools, sledging, ice skating and a village to explore, for non-skiers and rest days.
• Something for teenagers, such as a games room, evening activities or good Wi-Fi.

Accommodation that works

Skiing and mountain air are exhausting, and children who are kept up late every night become tearful very quickly. Choose accommodation where you can put younger children to bed and still enjoy your evening, such as a chalet, an apartment with a separate living space, or a hotel with family suites. If you have a baby or toddler, ask whether a cot, bed guard and high chair can be provided. In snowy villages, a baby carrier or toddler backpack is often easier than a pushchair.

Kit and safety

• Helmets are strongly recommended for children, and in some countries they are a legal requirement for younger skiers. Most hire shops include them.
• Goggles and sun protection. UV levels are high at altitude and snow reflects sunlight, so pack goggles, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream and lip balm.
• Layers, not bulk. Thermal base layers, a fleece and waterproof outer layers keep children warmer than one thick jumper. Bring spare gloves.
• Insurance. Standard travel insurance often excludes winter sports. Make sure your policy includes skiing, mountain rescue and repatriation for every family member, and check whether your destination has any insurance rules of its own. Our guide to family travel health before you go covers insurance and GHIC cards.

Don't try to do everything together

Until children are confident skiers, everyone usually has a better time if you aren't together all day. Parents who spend the whole week on the nursery slope, or who never get to ski at all, can end up frustrated. Plan some time on the mountain for the adults, then meet up for lunch, an afternoon of sledging or a hot chocolate. Our tips on making time for you on a family holiday apply on the slopes too.

Test the idea first, book childcare and lessons early, choose a resort built for families and keep expectations realistic for the first trip. Get those right and a family ski holiday can quickly become an annual tradition.