Planning a family ski vacationhow tos for the best family ski vacationPlanning a family ski vacation will probably require a little more forethought than perhaps a regular family holiday.There’s the resort to choose, the gear to find, getting there…just a moment, let’s take a deep breath and start at the beginning. Ready, set, go You’ve made the decision to go skiing. You can picture you all going down a perfectly groomed run on a crisp morning when there’s not a cloud in sight. Or maybe you can imagine the fun you’ll have making your way down tree-lined slopes with the largest snowflakes possible tickling your nose. However you picture the scene, let’s get you there with the help of these five easy tips. 1. Set a realistic budget – and stick to itReign in that excitement about the prospect of whooshing down that perfect slope with your child eagerly following in your tracks. There’s no denying the skiing isn’t exactly the cheapest activity. But with some careful forethought and regular saving, the cost of family ski holidays can be manageably spread throughout the year.
2. When to go - look at low seasonNow you’ve got a budget to work with, the next thing to decide when planning a family ski vacation is when to ski during the season. You’ll find that the length of the season varies from country to country, even from resort to resort. So in the northern hemisphere, you’ll find that between December and April you’ll have a wide choice of destinations.If your children are under school-age, think about the low season during January. The prices are lower, the runs less crowded and you’re not restricted to school term dates. The New Year and February half term holidays are popular choices with families trying to fit in with school terms in Europe. 3. Look for a resort offering family friendly vacationsThere’s so much choice out there and sometimes it's easy to be distracted by the attraction of the 'big' areas. Yet, a resort offering plenty of facilities for families will be your best bet. Take a look at family ski resorts for what to look for in a family ski resort, as well as best family ski resorts for suggestions.Decide on the type of accommodation. Do you prefer hotel, catered chalet or self-catering ski holidays? Look at will suit your family best, and check that there's plenty to choose from in your preferred ski area. 4. Think about how you prefer to travelWhat will be most practical for the whole family? From the UK, if you're travelling with very young children to France, Switzerland and Italy, driving is a good option - no waiting at airports plus you have the convenience of having your car. You might relish the challenge and independence of making your own arrangements, or like us might you find it less stressful to book your holiday via a specialist family ski operator.5. Look out for early booking offers.So when should you start planning a family ski vacation? Well, if you’re certain of your destination and where you want to stay, and if you aim to visit during one of the peak weeks (New Year and February half term in particular), then you may have to plan as much as a year ahead to get exactly what you want. It isn’t unusual for popular accommodation in popular resorts to be already booked during this season for next year's peak weeks.If on the other hand, you'd like to go away out of the high season, then the best time to plan ski vacations is during the previous summer. Why? Just keep an eye open for 'early bird' incentives to book, for example in June or July ahead of the rush. Tour operators and travel companies that specialise in family ski packages often offer a range of incentives. These could be prices being held at last year's price if you book early, through to free child places. If you're able to take a last minute ski vacation, the planning stage will probably be completely dominated by what late deal you've managed to find. Whether you book months in advance or just a week before, with careful planning, a family ski vacation is closer than you think. Planning a family ski vacation doesn't have to be stressful. Sort out the important things and you'll be surprised how everything else falls into place. |
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Thanks for the great website - very handy. We are planning our first ski trip for us and our 5 kids!Chrisna
Skiing tips for families. Written by an English couple who love to ski and play in the snow with their children.
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