Ski holidays with kids: tips for families

1. Gather information: Which family ski resort will you be travelling to? Do some research online and ask friends and relatives for personal recommendations!
2. Booking: Once you have decided on your holiday destination, it is time to reserve child-friendly accommodation, a family hotel or a room in a cosy alpine chalet.
3. Prepare: Is all your equipment ready? Do ski suits still fit? When was the last time your equipment was serviced? You should answer these questions well in advance of your holiday, before you hit the slopes.

Tip: We have also put together a detailed checklist for the coming winter – so you won't forget anything.

Before you look at the individual aspects, you should think about what your ideal skiing holiday would look like. Many ski resorts are so large and offer so many activities, from snowshoe hikes and spa packages to attractions right on the slopes, that it is often impossible to discover everything. The more carefully you plan your day of skiing, the easier it will be to find the right region.

The following aspects play a role:

• Attractive prices for families
• Free ski passes for children and affordable ticket prices for the whole family
• Kids’ and beginners' areas at the valley stations
• A wide selection of easy (green or blue) runs and family slopes
• Special children's lifts and child-safe chair lifts
• Ski schools that are also open in the off-season
• On-site childcare
• Facilities such as kids’ areas, magic carpets, fun and adventure slopes, playgrounds, mascots, etc.
• Additional activities such as sledging, themed trails or indoor sports facilities
• Ski and snowboard rental with a wide range of equipment for all ages and abilities

Advantages and disadvantages of large ski resorts:

• They shine with a wide range of activities for the whole family on and off the slopes
• Numerous facilities for children (practice areas, play areas in restaurants, etc.)
• Snow conditions are usually more reliable

• Larger resorts tend to be more expensive
• There are usually longer distances to travel between destinations
• Depending on the size of the slopes, it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of everything

Advantages and disadvantages of small ski resorts:

• They allow parents to keep a better overview
• Score points with a cosy and traditional atmosphere
• Usually have cheaper ski pass prices

• Do not offer the same variety as larger associations
• Are generally not as high up and therefore not quite as snow-sure

What characterises a children's or family hotel in a ski resort?

• It is located directly on the slopes or
• In close proximity to the lift, or
• The free ski shuttle stops right outside the hotel door.

It also offers:

• Childcare
• Child-friendly menus or a kids’ buffet
• Playgrounds and playrooms
• Baby equipment in the room or available to borrow
• Special family rooms
• Affordable prices for families

The next winter holiday with the kids can come! Where should you go? Discover the best ski resorts for families in Austria, France, Switzerland and across Europe!

Many winter sports resorts cater to family skiing holidays. Family-friendly ski areas also offer a wide range of activities away from the slopes, such as toboggan runs, ice rinks, snowshoe hikes, horse-drawn sleigh rides and much more. The bad weather programme on offer should be just as varied. When booking, keep an eye out for facilities such as family spas, children's museums and indoor playgrounds, as well as excursion destinations for young and old alike!

An ideal holiday destination for winter holidays with children also offers free ski buses. The shuttles take you comfortably from your accommodation to the valley stations and back It also runs regularly during the skiing day.

Top equipment for everyone: Last but not least, a perfect ski holiday destination also includes ski rent at attractive prices for the whole ski-loving family. INTERSPORT Rent is there for you in the best ski resorts in the world. Find your location now!

If you want to discover the winter landscape with your kids on a family holiday, you have to get up the mountain somehow. At first glance, the lifts provided for this purpose often seem oversized and intimidating – especially when you're wearing ski boots, which are never particularly easy to walk in. This makes it even more important to take your time in winter: it's best to explain to your children beforehand what to expect and then practise briefly:

1. First practise walking with skis on flat terrain, for getting on and off.
2. Lesson 1 for the lift ride: always look ahead!
3. Lesson 2: Playing and swinging are taboo.
4. When using drag lifts, choose flat routes directly next to the slope instead of steep climbs in the forest.
5. If possible, travel at times or on lifts when there is little traffic.
6. If necessary, inform the lift staff at the valley station about your young guests.

Tip: The best way to start is in a practice area. Here, the youngsters quickly gain confidence thanks to simple lifts and playful elements.

T-bar lift (anchor lift):

• Do not try to sit down!
• Hold small children between your legs!
• Older kids should board on the exit side.
• In the beginning, it is advisable to ski without poles or to take them away from the child.
• Under no circumstances should poles be dragged along the ground!
• The child should always get out first.
• Leave the exit area quickly!

Chairlift:

• Ensure that your weight is evenly distributed!
• Fold down the safety bar as quickly as possible – being considerate of all other passengers!
• Kids should sit with their backs against the backrest and not lean forward.
• Be careful with scarves, backpack straps or ribbons on your clothing: risk of entanglement!
• Remove backpacks and place them on your lap or next to you.
• When exiting, do not lift the safety bar until the signal is given!
• Let kids get off first and give them a hand push if necessary!

Other types of lifts:

• Gondola: Place your child's skis in the holder or help them to do so; your child should sit down immediately.
• Plate lift: Only dismount when you have reached the flat section!

Tip: Travelling safely on lifts with kids is one thing, but staying safe on the slopes is another. Read the most important tips and rules for responsible skiing now!

Is a full day or half day of family skiing better? Realistically speaking, the length of the skiing day depends on the mood and fitness of the children. With small children and beginners, half a day of skiing is usually enough. Older, motivated skiers are happy to spend the whole day on the slopes. In both cases, breaks are important on a family holiday!

When you stop for lunch at the ski lodge, you can warm up together and recharge your batteries for more runs. Be careful not to eat too much, otherwise you'll quickly lose the desire to exercise!

Some of the things you can look for in a child-friendly ski restaurant include

• Children's meals on the menu
• High chairs
• Changing tables
• Children's toilets
• Play areas

Tip: Take a break from the slopes! It is generally a good idea to take a few days off from skiingduring an extended family ski holiday. This helps prevent muscle fatigue and provides a welcome break from the snow.

Ideally, when booking your accommodation, you will have already checked whether there are any off-piste activities on offer in the surrounding area. Swimming pools, ice rinks and indoor playgrounds are welcome alternatives when the weather spoils the family's day on the slopes.

In principle, children can start skiing from the age of 3. Most kids are physically and motorically ready for their first attempts at this age. Not only are their muscles sufficiently developed, but their coordination is also good enough to keep their balance on the boards. When deciding when your children can learn to ski, bear in mind that every child develops differently and that motivation also plays a major role.

Skiing is a sport that exercises the whole body – especially the core and leg muscles. Although the risk of injury is always a factor in outdoor sports, there are many positive aspects, such as improving fitness, building up the immune system and strengthening muscles. As long as the sport is practised within the limits of physical ability and with good instruction, skiing is very good for children's development.