First time skiing. Single parent family

[Wessexheavytreader]

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

I don’t know about companies because we booked it ourselves, but we have just come back from Soldeu in Andorra. I thought it was well set up for families and the ski school was excellent.

Thank you for the latest posts! I will look at Andorra and Bulgaria. I have had a look at the Snow bizz website and it looks really good.

Try Passo Tonale with Crystal. Hotels by the slopes, good beginner runs, good value, and pizza!

I just came back from Zillertal in Austria. Very very family-friendly and great for beginners: lots of lovely long wide blue runs.

Although it's in Austria, it seems to be populated almost entirely by Dutch people and so everyone speaks English 😂

I'd start doing squats several months before you go or your thighs will ache

I was you three years ago.
I second Bulgaria. We went to Borovets. Lovely small resort, nice baby slopes, perfect for beginners.

you need somewhere with direct access to the slopes or ski storage nearby. Otherwise it is a total nightmare lugging skis, boots (which are very uncomfortable) and helmets to the slopes, on your own with thr kids.

We went with Hays travel I think. As a single parent you really do need everything to be set up - skis, boots, ski instructor etc - and you really, really don’t want to be cooking dinner after a heavy day’s skiing. So it’s one where full-on package, with a hotel buffet, is best.

plus lots of the hotels have a pool which is lovely for the kids.

I second borovets too. Stay at the Rila.

My husband is a good skier but me and my 2 kids were novices.

The great thing about Borovets are these things, and particularly more so as you are a single parent:

1.It's a small tight resort and enough to get your head round

1. 1 hour transfer - I'd rather have a longer flight and a shorter transfer.

1. Ski school is cheap, and all day. You won't be left trying to ski with the kids in the afternoon.

1. Lots of kiddy friendly food in restaurants

1. The Rila is ski in and out so you won't be trying to get yourself, your skis and your children and their skis in their ski boots very far.

1. The ski rental and store is in the Rila

1. It's inexpensive and really chilled out.

We are not long back from our second trip to Bulgaria. Snow was awful by the time we left although we did enjoy some gorgeous sunny days. I know lots of resorts across Europe have struggled with snow but it may be worth looking now at the relative snow levels and considering that. I don't know how many places are snowsure these days but Bulgaria definitely isn't and having seen pics of friends in other countries there is a notable difference at the moment.

Prices had risen considerably since last year and others in the (large) group mentioned Italy and Andorra as now being viable alternatives price wise. I've never been anywhere else so can't really comment but thought I'd mention it.

The plus of Bulgaria is also the minus. The resorts are small so easy to get your bearings, easy to come on and off the slopes if tired. On the flip side there are a lot of people crammed into not a lot of runs and with this year's bad snow not helping at all, there were a lot of accidents by the time we left.

As you might be able to tell, I'm on a bit of a downer about it after this year's trip! Loads of people doing balloons in bars, pavements littered with balloons every morning. I just didn't gel with it the way I did the first time but loads of the people we were with have been going for years and have already booked again for next year so very possibly I'm just a miserable sod.

Yes the Rila is well located. Ask for a room at the back. There are alternatives for ski hire/storage as well as the Rila itself. Pool and spa is nice.

Thank you so much for all the info. It’s all very helpful. Lots of things mentioned I hadn’t even thought about, so it is much appreciated.

I second littlestowl. We've skied with Single Parents on Holiday for a while now, and if you are a beginner it's ideal as they sort everything out for you (lift passes, skis, lessons). They take you to your lessons and ski with you when you are up for tackling the piste alone. It's pretty stress free and obviously the other families are all single parents too. Great fun!