Bringing your car and booking catered ski chalets are the main things to consider before embarking on your first child-friendly skiing holiday.
Skiing holidays with children can be a bit intimidating when you first start considering the logistics. Will you need to buy the equipment or can you rent it? Should you go to a hotel in the October half term or stay in catered ski chalets in mid-March? And what should you absolutely not forget to pack? Before you even consider these questions, however, you need to think about the basics.
Plan the Best Time of Year To Travel… For You
No one likes to think that their holidays are going to be an expensive affair; by now, family members and acquaintances will have probably casually mentioned the hefty price tag of their family ski break. Although skiing (especially with young children) is not renowned for being a particularly low-cost option, you can definitely avoid unnecessary overspending by planning the fundamentals in advance.
If your children have not yet reached school age, take advantage of that by travelling outside of school holidays. If, unfortunately, you are restricted by term-time, think outside the box: for example, consider picking your location based on its amount of snow in the off-season.
Think About How You Will Reach Your Destination
Deciding what method of transport you will be using is crucial when it comes to saving money. If you think flying will be the most comfortable option for your strictly routine-led children, start looking at prices a few months in advance, if possible. You will have a wider availability of dates, and your wallet will most certainly thank you.
If, on the other hand, driving to your destination seems to be best suited for your family, many of the excellent catered ski chalets guarantee free parking facilities. Moreover, if you plan on driving around to explore the surrounding towns, bringing your own car will spare you the headache of finding the correct booster seat for the rental car you might end up with.
Consider Which Accommodation Is Best Suited to Your Family’s Needs
French B&Bs might sound quaint and cosy, with their stone walls and common rooms full of guests reading quietly after a day in the slopes, and large hotels might appear convenient, with their concierge service and in-house restaurants. However, there is another option that might suit you and your young family even better: catered ski chalets.
Catered ski chalets offer all of the above and more. They are rustic and welcoming, with big fireplaces to keep you warm at night and give your children’s bedtime stories an enchanting atmosphere; and accommodating members of staff will cook you homemade, hot meals every day at no additional cost whilst keeping in mind your children’s nutritional requirements. They really are the perfect accommodation for you and your children, and more cost-effective than having to eat out every evening with a picky eater or an infant.
Finally, Start Considering the Small Details
Now that you've considered all the more important elements of your holiday in the snow , you can start researching things such as rental equipment and what essentials to pack. You're already on the right track to planning a family ski holiday you will be boasting about for years to come!
