Ahhh, your first ski holiday… The excitement of spending a week in the great white, your heart pounding as you let yourself glide down a tiny slope that feels enormous, the laughs while building snowmen that would have made Picasso proud… But also: the questions when choosing a ski resort, a lift pass, or the kids' outfits.
Because we've been there ourselves, we've put together a list of 10 tips we wish we had known during our first family ski holiday. The kind of advice that will save you money… and spare you a few meltdowns!
1/ Choose a Famille Plus certified ski resort
The hardest thing when heading out on a family ski trip for the very first time is probably choosing your holiday destination. Which mountain range? Which resort? The options are plentiful and everyone has an opinion. Your cousin swears by Serre Chevalier, your neighbour has wonderful memories of Piau Engaly, and that couple of bloggers you follow on Instagram heads to La Plagne every year with the whole family.
A good starting point could be the Famille Plus label. This national label is awarded to tourist destinations committed to providing quality hospitality for families with children during their mountain, seaside, nature, or city holidays:
– Personalised information; – Tailored activities; – Preferential rates; – Activities for all ages; – Services designed with families in mind, etc.
Exactly what you need for a first winter mountain experience!
Around forty French ski resorts have the Famille Plus label in Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Isère, the Hautes-Alpes, the Pyrénées-Orientales, the Alpes-Maritimes, and more. To easily identify them, take a look at the Passe Montagne's partner ski resort page and use the 'Famille Plus Label' filter in the dropdown menu. So, which resort will you choose? Les 2 Alpes? Chamrousse? La Clusaz? L'Alpe d'Huez?
2/ Book accommodation close to the ski lesson meeting point
A first family ski holiday usually means a first ski lesson too. Our advice: always book your accommodation and ski lessons at the same time; or at the very least bearing in mind the location of one relative to the other. Nothing worse than having to wake the kids up 30 minutes earlier to reach their instructor at the other end of the resort (especially when they're wearing ski boots...).
So: before confirming your accommodation booking, make sure there are still spaces available in group lessons (or private lessons) at the nearest ski school. And conversely, before booking your ski lessons, check that there are still holiday rentals available nearby.
3/ Look for ski resorts with free beginner areas
A ski pass is one of the biggest expenses of a family ski holiday. Of course, you can reduce your lift pass budget with your Passe Montagne subscription 😉 But the best thing when you're starting out is… not to buy a pass at all! Some ski resorts have understood that beginners don't want to pay full price for a ski pass giving access to 70 lifts… only to spend 2 or 3 days going round and round on the same beginner run in the centre of the resort.
That is why they have developed riding areas designed for beginners, with free lifts, easy to use and leading to short and very gentle slopes. A real bargain for a first family ski holiday! There will always be time later in the week to buy a discounted day pass, when you start to feel restricted by the beginner areas.
4/ Go for a beginner pass during the first few days
Ready to level up? You've mastered the beginner runs and feel ready to tackle slightly longer slopes (still nice and gentle)? Some ski resorts offer discounted beginner passes, giving access to a selection of lifts and easy-level runs.
Double win: 1/ you have fun for less (after all, when you're a beginner, you don't go very fast; a few easy runs are all you need to be happy); 2/ you won't accidentally take a lift that leads to a slope reserved for experienced skiers (red and black runs). Reassuring for a first family ski trip!
Then all you'll need to do is buy a discounted day pass on the last day (or days) to explore the blue runs of the ski area. A little teaser for your next winter mountain holiday 😉
5/ The all-in-one ski suit is great (except for bathroom breaks)
The all-in-one ski suit is a winter mountain holiday essential. Easy to slip on, perfect for staying warm and preventing snow from sliding in at the waist after a fall, it's also easy to pass from one child to the next over the years (no risk of losing the trousers even if the size is a bit big at first). On the other hand, it can quickly turn into a nightmare in case of urgent needs…
Our advice: reserve the all-in-one suit for children able to hold their bladder for a few minutes, just long enough to find a toilet on the slopes and to peel off the layers! Otherwise, you might find yourself running a few extra laundry loads during your holiday.
6/ Better to pack your snow chains on top of the luggage than underneath!
Of course, you always hope you won't need to use snow chains. But it's better to be prepared for a snowy road than to find yourself stuck partway up a hill just 10 minutes from your destination.
So: 1/ Always bring snow chains (or snow socks) with you*; 2/ Make sure they're easy to access (on top of the luggage, not underneath); 3/ Practice putting them on at least once at home, calmly, in the garage; 4/ Pack a small mat and long gloves that reach your elbows to make the process as comfortable as possible; 5/ Bring something to keep the kids occupied during the process: music, podcasts, books, toys, snacks…
*Good to know: Special winter driving equipment is compulsory in the mountains from November 1st to March 31st (winter tyres, snow chains or snow socks). They remain essential at altitude even after March 31st in the event of snowfall. When conditions are particularly difficult, it is sometimes compulsory to fit chains even on vehicles with winter tyres (except 4x4s).
7/ Nothing beats a sled (or a pushchair with skis) for getting the little ones around
Have you decided to head out on a ski holiday with young children (under 5)? Leave your city pushchair at home: it will only clutter up your car boot (you'll quickly get tired of getting stuck every few metres each time you head out of your holiday rental for a stroll in the fresh air).
On the other hand, you'll never regret renting a sled (with a string to pull it) and/or a pushchair with skis to get around the resort. Because walking in the snow isn't always easy (especially for toddlers with tiny feet); and altitude can be tiring.
You'll find sleds for rent in most sports shops (to keep things simple, rent your sled at the same shop where you will rent your ski equipment). Some accommodation providers even make them available to their guests free of charge, so think to ask yours.
As for renting a pushchair with skis, the best thing is to contact the tourist office, who will put you in touch with a baby equipment rental provider in the resort.
8/ Spring skiing is a beginner's best friend
When we think 'family ski holiday', we often think of Christmas or winter school holidays (February). Yet ski resorts at higher altitudes offer good skiing conditions right through to late April / early May, covering the spring holidays (Easter). And this period has many advantages for families with children and beginners:
It's generally less cold;
The snow is softer if you fall;
It's also gentler under the skis (perfect for beginners, as the risk of picking up too much speed is almost zero, especially on green beginner runs);
Daylight hours are considerably longer than in December and February, when the beginner areas in the heart of the resort can sometimes be in the shadow of the peaks in the morning.
In short: spring skiing is a beginner's best friend, young and old! Bear it in mind when planning your first family ski holiday.
9/ Don't forget the swimsuits at home
We often forget that a ski holiday is not just about skiing! Once your children have given their all on the slopes, they’ll be delighted to take off their rigid boots and switch to other winter activities like sledding, dog sledding or building a snowman. But also to let off steam with indoor activities that don’t require putting on multiple layers of clothing.
Top of children's favourite activities in all seasons: the swimming pool! Many ski resorts have an aquatic area with a fun pool, slides, water jets, etc. The same is true for some “family-friendly” hotels and residences. So slip the whole family’s swimsuits into the suitcase without waiting until your next seaside holiday! Tip: access to the swimming pool is included with the purchase of a weekly ski pass at some resorts (such as Tignes for example).
10/ Hand your little ones over to a ski instructor (to avoid the drama)
If you've never skied yourself, this is a no-brainer: you'll definitely be booking ski lessons for the whole family (parents and children included). But if you already know how to ski, you might be tempted to teach your kids their first snowplough turns yourself without going through professionals. Don't! Whatever you save in euros, you'll pay for in sanity points… 😉
Ski schools know all the tricks for sharing their passion for skiing with children in a fun and joyful atmosphere! From as young as two and a half (as a general rule), they'll introduce them to the joys of snow on (almost) flat areas, with games, mascots, colourful fun modules… Then take them onto children's runs specially designed for kids (which you can all head back to after lessons to see how everyone has improved). And besides… what joy to be able to show off their medal to grandma, grandpa, and friends when you get home!
