Family skiing: Top tips

When to go, where to stay
Christmas, New Year, February half-term and Easter are the most popular and expensive weeks of the season and coincide with the school holidays. It is essential to book ahead.

Skiers with children of pre-ski age should book low season weeks – in January, March and April (except for Easter), when accommodation and travel prices are lower. March and April are warmer, with longer daylight hours, so more child friendly.

Most active kids love winter holidays but they are less motivated than keen adult skiers to endure being cold and tired while wearing strange boots and equipment in foreign climes. Holidaying with similar-aged families can add a helpful element of encouragement but don’t force your children to ski when they’ve really had enough (however much you’ve paid for their lift pass…).

Filling a chalet is a good option for a group of families travelling together – all the fun of a week-long sleepover and no concern about spoiling somebody else's ski break.

Many tour operators offer some kind of childcare - private nannies, baby equipment and English-run crèches. Booking ahead is essential as demand for these services is high. Some also offer free babysitting or supervised children's entertainment at some point during a week's holiday and some accommodation has "room listening" on a complimentary basis. Otherwise babysitting is easier to organise in the bigger resorts.

 
Travel
Traveling on airlines (including low-cost) not catering specifically for families can be a good option. It usually puts you to the front of the queue and they should be able to cope well with just a few children. Most airlines allow carriage of baby buggies free of charge. Check the local laws regarding child seats when booking a hire car and ensure that you order sufficient; also that you have the chains/snow tyre options ticked – a snowy downhill with a car full of kids is not time to be honing your cadence-braking skills.

 
Gear
Buying new ski clothes for the whole family is expensive. First timers should buy second hand, borrow from friends or club together and share. Clothing must be water resistant; don’t skimp on accessories such as hats, gloves, goggles, and waterproof footwear.

Rent skis, boots and poles in resort (and book for high season).

A helmet is an essential part of the wardrobe - some ski schools insist on children wearing one to join their classes, and they are compulsory for children in Italy and Norway. It should fit properly so that your child can still see to the sides and hear clearly; check that goggles and sunglasses fit with the helmet too.

• The basics
• Babies & toddlers
• 4-12
• Teenagers