AN EXPERT'S GUIDE TO STRESS-FREE FAMILY SKIING

Sounds impossible, right? Think again. The mountains are our escape and taking the whole family skiing shouldn’t leave you needing another holiday to recover. It’s all about being prepared, knowing everyone’s limits, and keeping in mind what really matters. Here are our buyers expert tips for making your family skiing holiday a stress-free success.

Preparation is everything any time you head into the mountains, but especially when you do it with kids in tow. The key for kids is dry feet and warm hands; this means bringing four to six pairs of ski socks and two to three pairs of gloves on a week-long ski holiday to ensure you can always replace a soaked-through pair. 

For keeping everywhere else warm, layers are much more effective than one bulky coat, especially as kids will heat up quickly when active, but lose their heat even more quickly stood in the ski lift queue. Layering for kids is exactly the same as for adults, you need a base layer, mid-layer like a fleece or insulated jacket and finally a waterproof snow jacket on top. Getting the layering system right will keep your kids comfortable on the mountains all day and prevent an early finish.

If you're hiring all your ski gear at the resort you don't need to worry about getting anything prepped, but if you've got your own then make sure it's ready to go by getting it serviced at your local Snow+Rock store. We can also help you with skis, snowboards, helmets and ski or snowboard boots if you're looking to inbest in gear for you or your kids. Our ski boot fitting service is completely free and ensures you get the best fit so you can carve your own path down the slopes.

Discover everything you need to pack for a seamless family ski trip in our guide to keeping kids warm and happy on the slopes.

Bonus gear tip: a visor helmet for kids eliminates the dreaded lost goggles. You’re welcome.

Family time and slopes time – two of the most precious things there are. You won’t want to waste a minute, so keep in mind a few tricks to make the most of your time in the mountains. Consider booking your lift passes before you leave to make getting sorted when you arrive easier, and where possible, try to keep transfers to a two-hour maximum to avoid younger ones getting impatient.

Whilst you’re there, consider getting the kids lessons in the mornings and then family skiing in the afternoon. It takes the stress off by letting the professionals teach the kids and you can strike the perfect balance between individual learning and valuable time together.

We know life gets in the way and we don’t always get as much time as we would like to physically prepare for our skiing holidays. Awareness of everyone’s size and strength, and how much preparation you’ve been able to do, is key to keeping the holiday as enjoyable as it should be. Everyone’s legs can get tired easily, which just ends up making it less fun and possibly more dangerous out there, so avoid pushing anyone out of their comfort zone and stick to what you know they can handle. It’s also a great idea to choose a resort with plenty of activities off the snow, like swimming or hiking, so the whole family can still have a great day even if the kids aren’t up for skiing. It is a holiday, after all!

How fast you can ski or how many runs you do are great benchmarks for solo trips to the mountains. But, as fun as they are, they’re not what family skiing is about. Ultimately, a successful family skiing holiday is one where the kids learn to love the mountains, and everyone spends time together – so make a conscious effort to slow the pace right down. Go with the kids to find forest trails and do jumps, take time to capture it all in photos and videos, and always make sure everyone leaves the slopes with a smile. You won’t regret it.

Ready to get geared up for a family trip to the slopes?