Ski resort as cheaply as possible

Everyone-
Ski trousers
ski gloves/mittens
sun block
hats
waterproof jacket
warm socks

skiers/boarders
goggles and helmets

vinted is your new bestie. Goggles might be your biggest spend.

We have been to Font Romeu a few times - French side of the Pyrenees in the Pyrenees-Orientale department (between Perpignan and Andorra), but close to the Spanish border. Not great snow at the moment, but must years the resort is open to the end of March. There's lots of small ski resorts around this are where you can park by the slopes then find a quiet corner to do some sledging, but I don't think I'd base a whole holiday on that! Cheap ski trousers, waterproof boots, warm jacket, gloves and hat are a must, and sunglasses would be advised if it's nice and sunny.

Mid Jan has the most reliable snow, but it can be cold and short days. At 6 I would definitely pay for a couple of ski lessons.

Sometimes if it hasn’t snowed for a while the snow is more like hard packed ice. And then maybe just slush by later afternoon that’s frozen solid again the following morning. When it’s not fresh there isn’t much playing that can be done with it unfortunately. Sledging is going to be an hour max. I got sick of pulling the damn things up the hill after about 15 minutes. What other stuff there is to do depends on the resort. Where we were (not Spain) there was a swimming pool, a small ice rink open afternoons only, a soft play (really for toddlers) and an alpine farm (also aimed at non skiing toddlers). Really they’re designed around skiing and there’s a presumption everyone will mostly be doing that.

What are the webcams and forecast showing now?

Why Spain? You need to head high, ideally glacial, to be snow-sure.

My similar aged child gets bored of snow after about 45 mins. Then wants to go back inside. So I’d hope there was other fun things to do where you’re planning on going

Some areas of the alps are due more snow later this week but most Europeans stop skiing by early March due to deteriorating warm conditions. Many resorts and lower slopes are already struggling. Would not bank on good conditions in Spain by then. A day playing may well be enough but if there is snow in resort it will get slushy by late morning. Tbh it sounds like a lot of effort for a day there.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/travel/2014/feb/14/eastern-europe-skiing-budget-resorts

I know this is not what you're asking but I'm skiing in France now and there is hardly any snow. What there is is slush and hard to ski on. By March lots of the resorts will have to close due to lack of snow.

Next year may be different but I doubt it as these conditions are unheard of for early February and it seems to be getting worse (warmer) every year.

If you are going to be playing in the snow with your child, salopettes & ski gloves really are preferable. Otherwise before you know it you'll be kneeling in the snow trying to make a snowman with soggy cold jeans and freezing hands. Just buy cheap secondhand stuff on vinted.

Go to decathlon for cheap kit. Where are you thinking of going, the way things are at the moment I wouldn't be counting on any snow at all.

And swerve Bulgaria.

https://www.snowdome.co.uk

Or here.

What resort? I'm fairly familiar with Spanish resorts and can advise on rental options

Seems weird. You pay all the money to go to the resort but then don't ski ! I think you would be better off waiting til the child is bigger and then taking them for ski lessons also. For the moment I would just drive up to Scotland and play in some snow there.

Everything in ski resorts is expensive. Food, booze. So you would be far better staying out of the resort and then getting a bus or taxi to the resort to play in the snow for a couple of hours, then get back, because realistically how long is your child going to want to play in the snow ?

You may also find a weekend would be better, but it might be hard work with a kid in tow.

If you are keen on resorts my experience is Germany Austria is cheaper than France for food/alcohol, but it may have changed since my time.

You'd get even wetter sledging than skiing... I'd have thought being low level especially on the bottom half.

If current conditions are anything to go by, there will be no snow.

When I take my kids sledging, I wear snow boots, winter walking jacket and thick walking trousers or my salopettes depending on the weather. I have sledged in jeans but if you plan to play in the snow, kneeling to build a snowman / snowballs, waterproof trousers / rain pants would be a good idea.

Haunt your local Facebook selling pages after February. There'll be loads of stuff for sale.

As mentioned above, your DH and kids will need all the stuff. Decathlon is good for goggles. You at a minimum need a thick jacket, ski trousers and of course snow boots. Your DH needs a proper ski jacket with all the external pockets for lifting pass/cream/gloves etc.

Personally I'd get ski stuff. What if your children decide they want to have a go at skiing?

Yeah but would they have been outside in heavy snow dressed like that? When we lived somewhere snowy we’d usually wait for the snow to stop then go out and play. Less likely in March but it’s not impossible that it snows your entire trip. Also what if you want to ride a lift as pedestrians for views, walks, to access mountain restaurants, some resorts have kids areas in the mid station etc. They can get quite wet, even the gondola bubble ones, from the skiers and their equipment. Maybe a cheapo pair of waterproof trousers for you that you can chuck on over whatever you’re wearing if needs be? Like the ones you get for your toddler to wear in the playground. If DH is skiing/boarding though he’ll need proper gear. Snowboarders spend a lot of time on their arse, especially beginner ones!

It won’t look weird if adults are in warm clothes, not ski kit. Lots of people in resort cruise around/ play with kids without salopettes. But I’d defo advise a minimum waterproof trousers in your bag if this is what you go for. A soggy bum will not enhance your experience. And proper gloves for all.

March typically is quite warm- you can easily to get up to 20C; so if you’re not super high you could easily forsake the adults salopettes for snow play.

You’d be ok dressed like that to walk to a restaurant. Your DH definitely can’t snowboard in jeans! Even for you, what if it’s actually snowing the whole time and you still want to be playing outside with the kids? Jeans would be cold, wet and miserable. Get some cheap snow pants and wear legging underneath for warmth.