Family Skiing Holidays

You're taking the family? A bit of preparation and the right questions are essential. Look for the best family friendly facilities, top tips and the right time to get the kids on skis.

The ski brochure shows a happy family shussing down the slopes together. What it doesn't show is harassed Mum trying to coax her tearful daughter down, and Dad sweet talking the credit card company before forking out for childcare.

Yes, family skiing is always a challenge, but when you get it right the rewards are high.

I always swore that when I had kids, they'd be strapped to a snowboard by their second birthday. So imagine my (hypothetical) disappointment on discovering that it's bad for their postural development to get small fry on boards before about six or seven.

HOW AND WHEN

The good news is, you can strap them to two planks without too many worries from toddling age, although ski schools traditionally start children at the age of four. If you do decide to strap the planks on as soon as they can walk, limit it to very short photo opportunity spells.

Resist the urge to teach your own offspring to ski (unless you want daily tantrums) and source a good ski school instead. For a number of years tour operators have been hiring their own English-speaking nannies and running well-equipped, well-organised crèches in many European and US resorts. But, when your kids get a bit older and you enrol them in ski school, especially where there is a language barrier, it can be more difficult.

Start by researching well ahead of time. Ski schools can get very booked up, especially during school holidays. Key questions to ask are what the instructor to child ratio is (you don't really want groups of more than six per class) and whether the instructors speak English.

Once booked, prepare your child by showing them pictures of you skiing or snowboarding and getting them to share your enthusiasm. Don't show them if you look at all nervous, because they are likely to pick this up in an instant. Try and strap them into their skis before they actually get there, even if it's just on the carpet the night before, as this will get them excited and familiar with the equipment.

SOME TOP TIPS FOR FAMILIES

If, after a few lessons, you want to take your child up the hill yourself, don't ski behind them, holding them under the arms and sandwiched between your legs. This will only teach them to sit back and fall into your arms at the first sign of trouble. Instead, encourage independent balance and snowplough beside them, giving them the handle of your ski pole to hold if necessary.

But you don't have to wait until your kids hit ski school age before you squeeze ski trips in - that would mean a serious hiatus from the hill for snow junkie parents.

Ski resorts have come along way in terms of childcare and many now have custom built facilities, licensed trained staff and themed daily programmes. Still, it can be tough to leave your baby with unfamiliar people, even on the perfect powder day. To calm your fears, put in the research first.

Ask around to see if friends can recommend family-friendly resorts to head for (or steer clear of!), then follow up by looking at the resort website. If there is a dedicated kids' section, it's a good sign.

Always book and fill in registration times before you arrive in resort, and ask about the schedule and what is included. It's also a good idea to bring a list of your child's likes and dislikes, nap times and favourite toys. And be sure to ask where they post emergency messages and how they can be reached when you are on the slopes. Some resorts have in-house extensions you can dial from on mountain phones, and a few progressive resorts have pagers for the parents to carry.

Finally, be there to pick your child up on time. It may be a bluebird powder day, but most resorts charge expensive late fees.


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