How To Ski With Your Family

Travelling with children can be difficult at the best of times but travelling to a ski resort with children can be more stressful. You normally have more luggage and you can travel from a relatively mild home temperature to snow conditions in resort which require a quick change of clothes.

So how can you make it less stressful for everyone? Well, we have compiled a short list for you of what to avoid and what to do to make life easier. That way you can have a memorable ski holiday for all the right reasons.

Sometimes a little bit of prep before you fly can save you a lot of time and wasted money. The biggest expense in a ski resort will be clothing and hats if you need to buy them!

• Clothing
  
  Dress your children in layers, this ensures they don’t overheat on the plane in ski clothes but don’t then start freezing when you land in potential sub zero temperatures and snow.
   
• Toys and games
  
  Always travel with small games that will keep children amused, colouring pens and paper doesn’t take up much room and can keep them amused for hours. Another good one which is small and light is a pack of playing cards. It can be worth checking if your chalet or hotel has any children’s games or toys but always bring a few of your own just in case.
   
• Food
  
  Essential to pack snacks for children but stick to dried fruit for treats, bananas go squashy and can be a disaster! As can chocolate.
   
• Essential cleaning stuff
  
  Baby wipes are amazing for clearing up almost anything, never leave them behind!
   
• Snow clothes
  
  Children need to be dry and warm or your ski holiday will be a disaster. Always have extra pairs of snow gloves (although mittens are warmer) and socks. Most equipment can be hired in the resort but bring your own thermals. Remember children can also get too hot on the slopes so always layer them up. And don’t forget the sun cream, children can burn terribly on the slopes.
   
• Babies
  
  Always bring your own nappies as some resorts can be limited in the size and brands they have. It is also good to check if your chalet or hotel has cots and high chairs for you to use.
   
• First aid
  
  Always good to take vital creams, plasters and  children’s pain relief with you as this can be very expensive in some resorts and you really don’t want to be wandering around at night trying to find a late night chemist!
   
• Ski school
  
  Check where your accommodation is in relation to ski school. Marching your children across town with skis is not a good start to the morning. Always try and stay close to the slopes.
   

By Will Smith