First time family skiing holiday. What do we need to pack?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

We are a family of four first time skiers, heading out to the Alps for half term. Ski, boot and helmet hire is all booked and we will have had six family lessons before we go. Children are in morning ski school with ESF. We hope to have some private lessons. It's a very small, tame resort. All are very excited!

I feel a bit daunted about packing all the things we need. I really want to make sure we are all dry and cosy, but don't want to buy/borrow unnecessary stuff. We will be driving over, so can fill the boot.

Can any experienced skiers help me out with some packing ideas? Thanks ❄️

We have had a few holidays in Bernex which sounds very similar to where you’re off to. If, by coincidence, that’s where you’re going, I would get your children to practice walking up and down stairs in their boots carrying their skis: there is a hill down to the nursery slope that is quite steep and crowded for a beginner. (But you can take stairs down).
Also we found the ESF groups there are often very big - up to 12 children - and if your child ends up at the back (and not speaking any french) then all they end up doing is copying the person in front. You may want to suggest to your children that they make sure they use their elbows to keep as far to the front of the group as possible! (My DS used to just get a bit sad then grumpy!)
Have fun!

You should be able to join an English speaking class with ESF.

Even in rental boots you should only wear one pair of socks - for 2 reasons:
Wearing two pairs of ski socks will reduce the breathability of both, meaning you get sweaty (and cold) feet. Also, double socks tend to bunch within your boot, which leads to painful pressure points and blisters.

A good rental shop will work with you to find a pair of boots that fit when wearing a pair of ski socks. You don't need to accept the first pair you try... or the second... And you can go back and change them mid week if they're not right.

sonny we are almost in Bernex. The chalet is in Thollon station. We've had many a booze-soaked summer lunch at Pre Richard before wobbling back to the chalet

The children are signed up for an English beginners class. They will have had 6 hours of lessons by then so hopefully will be okay. Not sure my son ( who has dyspraxia, which is partly why we've not been before) will manage the whole week of lessons, but we'll see how he does.

Aldi usually have good merino layers in stock at this time of the year. Definitely worth checking if you have a store locally.

If you have decent salopettes and jackets, then you shouldn't need vast amounts of clothing on underneath. As long as you are moving you will stay warm.

My top tip for all newbies (well everyone really) is go for mitts not gloves with a thin liner glove inside. This way you can always put a hand warmer in the tips of the mitt, which is particularly handy for people going on button lifts (which is where beginners often find themselves) as you have to hold them with your hand and the metal is usually icy cold and you end up with very cold fingers.

Also agree with the posters who advocate nothing other than one ski sock worn inside the boot, taking great care not to trap anything else.

I'm a huge fan of wool, as it soaks up the sweat and reduces smell too. We all wear layers of merino, with an additional fleece if it is EXTREMELY cold.

Buffs are great to fill any gaps between hat and collar.

It is the best holiday in my opinion. I've been going for over 30 years (gimmer) and took my DC from when they were tiny. They pretty much take me now and decide which slopes I can manage and which I should avoid!!!! I hope you have a fantastic time BoogleMcGroogle.

swimming gear if there is a pool near - you need a break from skiing when your muscles hurt. DVDs or similar to relax in the evenings - your children will be shattered. Rope - so you can buy little sledges to pull them around on! And definitely snoods/neck warmer things that can be pulled up to over the nose when it is very cold. Lots of mini haribo bags and funsize chocs.

Two pairs of thermals each (top and leggings), 6 pairs of ski socks and 6 pairs of warm socks for the evening, 12 pairs of underwear, 2 or 3 fleeces for skiing in, same for the evening (I wear one for an evening and then wear it skiing the next day) ski jacked and trousers (I have the braces on mine, put them on over the jumpers so you only need to take jacket off and slide braces off your shoulders.) neck warmers (aldi/lidl/mountain warehouse have these cheap) light hats for under rented helmets. Gloves, both for skiing and evening time. sun glasses and goggles, (I change over depending on the sun and weather.) SUNCREAM, yes you will get burnt if you don't have it. Garnier do a ski one reasonable, and get the lip one too. Small enough that they can fit in your pocket. A back pack, I carry a back pack for water, tissues, and for if it gets too warm and we want to take off a layer. Also hand for gloves and neck warmers at lunch time, gloves don't come cheap in a ski resort. I lost one of a €40 pair of gloves and cost me €90 to get a new set, I was up a mountain and desperate. For the kids get elastic and sow their gloves to it. So if they take them off they don't fall. My auntie did this to my cousins for our first few ski trips. Bring tissues or some sort of cloth for drying glasses and goggles and for runny noses. Flip flop / slippers if there is a pool etc in your hotel. Runners / comfy shoes for around the hotel, going to breakfast etc. before the ski boots go on.

If your ski boots take a few times to get them adjusted until they don't hurt, take a pic of the settings. I done this for my first time last year (I have my own boots about 8 years at this stage) and it was the first year I didn't have any pains once I got them sorted!

I can't think of anything else at the min! Need to start packing myself so I will let you know if I think of anything else over the next few days.

Some massive fat old fashioned sanitary towels. Stick them to your shins. Honestly.

We take individually packed snacks, as chocolate bars are €€ up the mountain

Ski socks that are long enough- so many now are short and her uncomfortable.

Layers! You can pick the Helly Hansen base layer up quite cheaply, compared to other brands.

We kitted the children out in Mountain warehouse- great quality for the price!

Fun sized choccie bars

Slippers to leave in boot room

Have an amazing time! Looking like lots of snow this year. We're having to give it a miss this year due to being pregnant and I'm a little sad not to be heading to the mountains!