FAMILIES WHO SKI TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER
Ski Club Members share the challenges and rewards of skiing with kids – learning the family ski lessons the hard way, so you don’t have to
With a bit of effort (and lots of spare gloves) the Henderson family show it is possible to hit the slopes, children in tow – and have fun
When we invited Ski Club Members to share their top tips on skiing with children, we never anticipated receiving responses from more than 250 ski-loving parents, all eager to divulge their hard-earned pearls of ski wisdom. That visceral passion for skiing with children aged from just six weeks to 36 years (and older) lead directly to this:
a new Ski+board column packed with handy tips, inspirational ideas and entertaining anecdotes about the best, and worst, family ski holidays.
From the prosaic (“Drop all pretences of being an outstanding parent and bribe them if necessary” Stephanie Isaacs) to the poetic (“Fresh air, snow ball fights, shouting ‘wipe out’ when you fall, blue skies, snow angels, cheese baguettes on French hillsides, fondue and raclette” Edward Davies), your memories and insights bring alive the joy – and occasional terror – of sharing your passion for the mountains with loved ones.
Clockwise from top left: Mark Curtin's daughter in La Thuile. Mark Funsch with two of his children in Serre Chevalier. Poppy Bullen in Flaine. The Selmes family sporting bright orange ski suits to make them easy to spot on the mountain
SKIING WITH TINY TOTS
“One of the fundamentals when skiing with kids is ‘location, location, location!’ Factor in the total transfer time and accessibility of a resort for a stress-free start and end to the holiday.”
Donna Goldsworthy, mother of three skiers aged 8, 11 & 15
“Ski at Easter when they’re small – warmer weather makes life easier. Don’t start them too young (four or five is early enough) and start on the dry slope at home before heading to the Alps.”
Dougald Middleton, father of four skiers aged 27, 24, 21 & 14
“We always spent two weeks in Tignes as I wanted them to know a resort well and learn with the same instructors. By the time they were ten they could ski back from Val without being told where to go, so I was confident that if we got separated they could find their way home.”
Ian Elwes, father of two skiers aged 24 & 25
“Don’t stop in the middle of the slope – always to the side (smaller kids in particular are difficult to see). Always stop at piste junctions too: it’s amazing how often families are split up because someone in front goes one way and everyone else assumes they’ve gone the other.”
Abi Bunney, mother of two skiers aged 20 & 22
“We researched a resort that would suit Granny as well – Westendorf was excellent, with multiple gondolas for pedestrian access to enjoy the mountain and join us for hot chocolate.”
Lydia Waugh, mother of two skiers aged 13 & 14
“If your young child doesn’t take to skiing at the beginning, try another activity to show them how much fun the snow can be. At three years old, our son Alex refused point blank to go with the ski instructor in Oberlech so we took him on the toboggan runs that afternoon. He absolutely loved the experience of speed and getting covered head to foot in snow and hasn’t refused to go skiing since!”
Kate Dickson, mother of one skier aged 11
“Make sure your children never get too cold or wet, as youngsters can’t tolerate the cold well. After a big fall, take them straight to a café and clear the snow from their sleeves/gloves/inside clothes immediately – once it melts, they’re soaked and miserable.
Even if you’re a qualified instructor, do not attempt to teach your own children! They don’t want to learn from you and need you to be there as a parent not an instructor… Book them into ski school
– the social aspect is critical as they make friends and enjoy that as much as the skiing. They also
love collecting badges.”
James Henderson, father of two skiers aged 9 & 10
“From the beginning, we took a long range view: above all, we wanted our sons to enjoy being in the snow. We figured that, if we were successful in getting them hooked on skiing, it’s about the one family holiday they would continue to love to come on with their parents until well into their twenties, as it’s so expensive for students!”
Samantha Selmes, mother of two skiers aged 9 & 11
Clockwise from top left: James and Hannah Bullen’s two daughters amongst a happy gang in Flaine. Lydia Waugh’s daughters, Sophie and Charlotte, on a bluebird day in Tignes. Helen Farr's daughters in St Anton. Mark Funsch’s three children with mates in Obergurgl
SKIING WITH TEENS
“Don’t talk to them about the colour of runs – today’s achievement becomes tomorrow’s barrier. Get them used to skiing the whole mountain at an early age – most resorts have patrolled off-piste itineraries, which are perfect for getting them used to bumps, lumps and occasional powder.”
Dougald Middleton, father of four skiers aged 27, 24, 21 & 14
“Now that our kids are of comparable skill levels, we like getting a private instructor for every other day. Ski schools split the kids up
by age meaning they don’t get to ski together. This way, parents ski together on their ‘days off’ and with the kids on guided days. It’s not too expensive this way either.”
Mark Funsch, father of three skiers aged 10, 12 & 15
“We used to ski with a hip flask but don’t any longer. We also stress the importance of avoiding alcohol when we’re on the slopes
with our older children.”
Nick Silver, father of three skiers aged 17, 20 & 22
“Try to give them a bit of space on the slopes - let them ski a few runs with friends and make decisions on the route or plans for the day. They end up being your personal ski guide while also spotting the best hot chocolate stops!”
Helen Bellis, mother of twin skiers aged 14
“We have been skiing in Laax once or twice a year for the past three years now that the kids are a bit older. The freestyle academy is brilliant for those who like rails and jumps; the resort is compact with enough to keep them happy; and the mountain is well run and well-signposted. The kids are strong enough skiers to do their own thing after lunch with friends without worrying.”
Sam Li-Fox, mother of two skiers aged 14 & 17
“Remember to take time out to ski with your kids – they will love showing you what they can do. And it’s great to see them improve.
It’s boring going up and down the nursery slope but it will pay off when you quickly have your kids skiing alongside you.”
Stephanie Isaacs, mother of two skiers aged 12 & 15
From left to right: The Middleton sisters in Leogang. Alex Dickson wrapped up warm in Grimentz
HANDY HACKS FOR SKIING WITH KIDS
“I hired the kids’ ski clothes from Ski 47, which provided them with top quality, very warm kit – an absolute essential as nothing makes small children more unhappy than being cold.”
Ian Elwes, father of two skiers aged 24 & 25
“It’s no fun carrying skis if you’re four years old, so do it for your kids – it’s an investment in your family holidays for years to come. Try to leave kit at the ski school or in a locker or get a rucksack with ski carry straps.”
James Henderson, father of two skiers aged 9 & 10
“Always have two pairs of ski gloves per child – the ones with elastic cuffs that keep them on younger children’s arms are helpful. And pack double the quantity of socks you think you'll need: kids invariably step in melted snow and wet bathrooms.”
Samantha Selmes, mother of two skiers aged 9 & 11
“Always take sick bags and wet wipes for the bendy climbs on the coach transfer. I have had to undress my child in the snow on the roadside in the dark and throw all his clothes away, including his shoes…”
Stephanie Isaacs, mother of two skiers aged 12 & 15
“If your children are very young, don’t bother with extensive ski area lift passes as they’ll rarely,if ever, use them. Another tip is to have an on-the-go picnic lunch and beat the crowds by skiing from 12-2pm. You can pack a lot of runs in while enjoying quiet slopes. Finally, take photos of your lift passes – with various outfit changes it's possible/probable that one will be mislaid at some point. Having a photo of the code means you can return to the pass office and get a replacement without having to pay the full balance.”
James & Hannah Bullen, parents of two skiers aged 6 & 8
“If your kids have their own helmets, write your mobile number on the outside, right across the back in permanent marker. This will be visible to everyone should they get lost. Also, take a pack of stickers to decorate the kids hire skis. This helps them to feel like they are ‘theirs’ and also helps with identification in locker rooms, lunch spots, ski school etc. Simply peel off any left on the skis at the end of the week before handing them back to the hire shop.”
Helen Farr, mother of two skiers aged 6 & 9
“Avoid Geneva on a Saturday and fly to the little-known Memmingen in Germany instead. Also consider travelling on a Sunday and hiring
a car for peace of mind.”
Lydia Waugh, mother of two skiers aged 13 & 14