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Original poster

First time skiing. Single parent family

35 replies

Wessexheavytreader · 29/12/2022 16:17

I’d love to take my two youngest daughters skiing. We’ve never been and I’m clueless really. Can anyone recommend somewhere where a beginner, single parent family could go? Somewhere where there is support if it’s needed? It would probably be for 2024 as I think it would take me that long to save up (at least). Any help or advice gratefully received

OP posts:

Pedallleur · 29/12/2022 16:36

Any indoor slopes nearby? Go and practice there. France, Italy, Austria are prob nearest. Have a Google on ski tuition, location you fancy. It can be hard work, carrying skis, wearing the boots etc so be aware of that. Any skI holidays inclusive?

Lovetotravel123 · 29/12/2022 16:39

Kranjska Gora in Slovenia. I did this with my son on my own a few years ago.

belowfrozen · 29/12/2022 16:41

How old are they

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General sports Holidays

littlestowl · 29/12/2022 16:43

If you were interested in a group type holiday www.singleparentsonholiday do skiing holidays.

Ive been on a few of their non skiiing holidays and always had a great time - never had a bad group yet and it’s really helpful to have the group leader on hand to help. You can be as much part of the group or as little. It’s run by two single parents themselves who are lovely.

StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf · 29/12/2022 16:45

I think a package holiday would be nice and easy. There are ski specialists who will set you up with transport, gear hire, lift passes, lessons and all the other bits you'd have to stress about otherwise. My first ski holiday in NZ was like that, I literally just showed up at the airport with my passport and some cute winter clothes, the rest was taken care of! It's all quite daunting unless you know what you're doing, and skiing is the kind of holiday where you really do need to have a bit of expertise and preparation or will have a pretty awful time - best to outsource that I think!

elastamum · 29/12/2022 17:01

Go with crystal or mark Warner. They are set up for family skiing and you won't be on your own. Talk to their sales staff to identify a good resort.

Original poster

Wessexheavytreader · 29/12/2022 17:16

Oh thanks! Some really helpful replies. The girls at 9 and 11 but it may be a year or two to enable me to save.
I’m going to google some of these suggestions, thank you

OP posts:

xyzandabc · 29/12/2022 18:51

They will be a great age to start learning. I was coming to say if they are younger than 8/10 yrs, it's probably best to wait. If you were on your own and having to get 2 dressed, put boots on, get to ski school on time, plus carrying their skis/boots when they're tired and grumpy and maybe cold, it would just make you all miserable.

At 10+, they can do their own boots once they've been shown, they can carry their own skis, don't need lifting on or off of lifts etc. It's all much much easier.

Definitely have a few lessons before you go so you don't waste the first few days stuck on the very very nursery slopes

Original poster

Wessexheavytreader · 29/12/2022 19:20

Oh that’s encouraging xyzandabc. I was worried if left it too long, but that’s a good point re them being fairly self sufficient. We have a dry slope about an hour away so I’ll sort some basic lessons before we go.

OP posts:

belowfrozen · 29/12/2022 23:21

Defo lessons before you go so you actually get to ski on proper slopes there

LuckyLucyLeo · 29/12/2022 23:44

We booked with Snow bizz. Fantastic company/service. My kids were very young, so didn't go to much of the entertainment. But lots on offer.

We went to puy st Vincent. Lovely resort for beginners.

WeAreBorg · 29/12/2022 23:45

I’m trying a singleparentsonholiday ski holiday next year - if either of us remember I can let you know how it goes! my boys are roughly the same age as your girls 😊 they’ve done a few dry slope lessons so can at least put their boots on

I think short journey times from the airport, somewhere ski-in, ski-out so you don’t have to traipse round with your skis and their skis while they complain about being tired is good

Original poster

Wessexheavytreader · 31/12/2022 17:02

I meant to say thanks WeAreBorg. I’ll try to remember to ask you how you got on!

Snowbizz looks good as do Crystal and Mark Warner. I do like the idea of single parent groups too though, especially if there is someone on hand to help or advise.

Thanks again for all replies. Now to start saving hard!

OP posts:

lieselotte · 31/12/2022 17:07

Mark Warner is mega expensive isn't it?

What about going to Aviemore and having a weekend in Scotland to learn? It would be much cheaper (and much more ethical, no destroying glaciers in the Alps etc).

Original poster

Wessexheavytreader · 31/12/2022 20:45

I hadn’t considered Scotland! It would certainly be cheaper to get there!

OP posts:

belowfrozen · 01/01/2023 11:05

I looked at Scotland from the NW but journey time still long and everything said don't go unless snow confirmed first.

LlynTegid · 01/01/2023 11:09

I would suggest you think about somewhere where you speak some of the local language (or one/both of your children do).

XelaM · 27/02/2023 17:27

Just to saw we went to Aviemore this February half term and it was great. The mountain was only closed one out of the 5 days we were there because of high winds. The other 4 days we got to ski! And there was snow on the top of the mountain that you use the funicular railway to get to (free with your ski pass) and on the nursery runs they create snow.

We arrived by sleeper train from London and stayed in a b&b by Aviemore train station. The 37 bus leaves from the station every hour to take you to the slopes and then at 5pm takes you back. We rented ski equipment by the train station and left it in the store (Ellis Bringham) over night as there are no lockers on the slopes. It was cheap (for a ski holiday) and easy and there are three ski schools that operate on the mountain so you can pre-book lessons with one of them. Make sure you pre-book lessons as they get fully booked.

It was a very pleasant experience as the slopes aren't very busy and everyone is super friendly. Hardly any waiting for the funicular railway or lifts.

I'm also a single parent and it was very easy to organise.

XelaM · 27/02/2023 17:27

Just to say*

XelaM · 27/02/2023 17:31

One mistake we made on our very first day was to get off at the middle station of the funicular railway rather than go to the top, as we thought the top of the mountain had more challenging runs. Don't do that as the middle station runs are very tough whereas the ones at the top are easy 😃

MrsCarson · 27/02/2023 17:56

We did a package holiday skiing in Austria the first time I went. Flights, transfers, hotel, breakfast and dinner at night included along with Ski school and skis and boots. Best holiday ever. Can't remember the company though.

Original poster

Wessexheavytreader · 27/02/2023 21:04

Thanks XelaM! That sounds lovely, would def want the easy runs! I'll have a google and add it to the list.

A package like that sounds ideal for a beginner like me, MrsCarson

OP posts:

IsAGirlMumma · 03/03/2023 13:02

Talk to snow bizz. We went to Puy St Vincent. Great kids club & great beginners slopes.

BackOfTheMum5net · 03/03/2023 13:04

I really enjoyed Bulgaria above other, bigger resorts which can be a bit intimidating to beginners. And it’s very reasonably priced too.

Cornelious2011 · 03/03/2023 13:06

As beginners we loved Bulgaria (Pamporovo). I found it very family friendly. Also very reasonable compared to other resorts.

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