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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to Think that it Will be easy enough to go on a ski holiday with a 5, 7 and 8 year Old, without putting the kids in ski School?

637 replies

danishkids · 27/01/2022 23:49

We Will go on our first ski holiday ever on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to it. But the more I chat with friends/family, the more people are making me nervous. We are 2 adults, my husband and I. I have only ever been on skis for a few hours when I was 16. My husband has skied a few times.

Everyone I talk to tells me that I’m
Crazy and that it’s impossible to teach 3 kids at once. That it will only end up
With irritated children and parents. Am
I crazy to think that it will be fine? Or am
I just having wishful thinking?

Do you have any tips for first time
Skiers? Especially with kids? Any good techniques to help the kids learn fast?

I’m exited about this holiday, but maybe I shouldn’t be?

OP posts:

RussianSpy101 · 28/01/2022 06:34

Genuine, helpful advice - don’t go.

Why did you book a skiing holiday? I’m not being goady, im genuinely asking

You’re all going to be stressed, sore and miserable. It’s going to be shit. I cannot fathom why you thought a skiing holiday with 5 non-skiers would be a good idea, let alone fun!

Everydaydayisaschoolday · 28/01/2022 06:34

Another one piling in to say this is a terrible, terrible idea. It's not just a recipe for an unpleasant holiday, it's dangerous. And a complete waste of your money.

I learned to ski in my 20s and it was hard! Without the expertise of a very good ski instructor it would never have happened. I found it as difficult to learning to drive. Would you expect a non-driver to get into a car and teach someone else based solely on clips from You Tube? Would that be a safe thing to do?

If you insist on going ahead with this holiday I think you need to book ski school if only to keep your D.C. and other slope users safe. I am debt averse but IMHO this is something worth going into debt over. An even better idea would be to abandon the idea of skiing completely and just treat this as a family holiday in the snow. You can use the hotel pool, go for walks and snowball fights, play games etc and leave the ski-ing for another trip when you are more able to afford it.

LentilNameChange · 28/01/2022 06:36

I hope you're ok OP, there have been some highly unnecessary mean comments on this thread.

The OP - with little to no skiing knowledge - asked a question in good faith, and she has been accused of criminal negligence. That is extreme and completely unwarranted imo. It is absolutely appropriate to notify OP of the potential risks and dangers and impracticalities, but completely unwarranted to imply that her plan was to take the kids to the top of the mountain and let them go. Nowhere did she say that!

I'm certainly not saying the OP's plan was a good one. But the pile on meanness is really not needed, is it.

ViceLikeBlip · 28/01/2022 06:38

I mean, it's perfectly doable. But it won't be at all enjoyable. For anyone.

Notanotherusernamenow · 28/01/2022 06:39

My mum was a ski instructor and I’ve been skiing since I was a baby.

I still got put in ski school.

You’d be insane and unable to teach your kids with a few hours under your belt.

I’m extremely experienced and have lived in the mountains and only feel I can offer tips - not teach.

Would you teach your kids to swim in the ocean when you have only swam for a few hours in your life yourself?

Skiing is very dangerous when you don’t know what you’re doing.

hypeman · 28/01/2022 06:39

You're absolutely bonkers.

We snowboard. Husband had been for a number of years and I was a beginner the first time we went. We did 8 days (separately) across a couple of months indoor in the UK where he just practiced and I had lessons to make sure I'd be safe. We both did Lessons on the first day and then I had another two mornings and had afternoons together.

I still couldn't keep up but felt safe on beginner slopes at this point and had basic control.

Not teaching the kids safely is really silly. Neither of you can ski and you've done nothing to prepare. It's going to be a disaster.

Frankly you can either afford a ski holiday or you can't. Part of the cost is lessons unless you go regularly.

welshladywhois40 · 28/01/2022 06:40

You will need ski school as well as the children. Haven't skied in years but if I went back I would go to school

PodgePie · 28/01/2022 06:42

If you can’t afford ski school you can’t afford a skiing trip. Do you know how expensive these resorts are in general? £30+ for mediocre spaghetti … it is not the place if you’re short of cash. On a more serious note, you are out of your mind if you think you can protect your children (and others) on the slopes with the minimal experience have. If you really can’t cancel then I would explore other activities (tobogganing) that may be less risky for yourself & other people on the slopes

torquewench · 28/01/2022 06:42

Youve said money is tight, and you book a skiing holiday????? You know, one you'll be hiring boots and skis and buying ski clothing and lift passes x5 for, but not lessons? Please make sure you remember to buy travel insurance!

CottonSock · 28/01/2022 06:46

How to ruin a holiday before you set off. OP your plan sounds madness

BetterBee · 28/01/2022 06:48

Hi OP,

I know it’s really disappointing to hear all the negative replies. I’m a ski instructor myself and still put my own children into ski school. It’s really hard on beginners to learn and they are best doing it with someone qualified who knows the drills, can get the basics secure and they can have fun without it being stressful for you.

As the children move on to using lifts etc you need to be skilled to manage to the children and of a competent level. Also if one of the children can’t make a plough (which happens!) you need to be trained to recognise where the mistake is happening to help them correct. It’s like a physio helping someone learn to walk again after a stroke - to us we would say just put one foot in front of the other! But it’s not that simple, subtle things are happening that need an expert to correct. It’s the same with skiing - you won’t be able to work out if the positioning is correct or why a child can turn one way but not the other and will end up being miserable for you all.

The lessons are an essential part of the trip - you either need to rethink what you are doing on this holiday or find a way to buy lessons. Going skiing without is not an option as I can promise you it’ll end in disaster!

SmallestInTheClass · 28/01/2022 06:48

Would you drive a car without lessons?

Can you get your money back and book something that you will all enjoy?

czechitout · 28/01/2022 06:48

We did teach my children to ski on our own, however we are skiers ourselves. (Not ski instructors, though, so we were trying to find the best way ourselves.). Given your experience would be better to have some instructor for yourselves, but I suppose that's completely out of question.

If money is tight, you might re-evaluate the goal of the holiday. Not to be primarily skiing but fun on the snow: to find a very light slope where they can get down on their own without much risk and let them try there. If at least some money is available, try to get ski some lessons for the oldest one - one day perhaps. He'll then be able to help the others :-)
I do not think you'll manage to keep 'we'll learn together' approach. They'll need to much support, especially the youngest one.
Kids can get bored by only skiing very fast and need to change the activity (to only sledge, build a snowman, to just have a fun).
And try to get some babysitting for some time, otherwise you'll not get to ski yourselves and you'll be tired of 'trying to teach kids, and convince them it's really fun'.
Someone suggested before, contact the resort and maybe they'll recommend cheaper school or get a discount. I think this is a good option in your situation.
Good luck.

torquewench · 28/01/2022 06:50

@danishkids

The resort we are at only has the option of 5 day ski school for the kids, so we cannot just choose a few hours unfortunately.

Regarding if I know how to put on the boots, walk up
The hill etc. yes I have been skiing once before. Otherwise I will research it

A ski resort with only one option for lessons? Unlikely. But a 5 day ski school is the best option. For yourself and your children.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/01/2022 06:51

You say you can only book 5 days of ski school... us that just through your holiday company? Have you tried just googling the resort to see what comes up?

In every resort I've been too, the ski schools have had private instructors available. They might be cheaper for 5 of you.

anonamouse1234 · 28/01/2022 06:54

Hello OP.

This is not a mean post - if you are not a skier you just might know about kids skiing and ski school.

I would either cancel, or do lessons, or go but don't ski. The cost of a skiing holiday includes all the kit, the expensive food, the lift pass and the lessons if needed. You would not suggest not eating if your budget did not stretch, you would not go.

If you can't afford the skiing lessons due to your changed circumstances then go for a holiday in the snow but don't try to ski.

Skiing is very dangerous (I broke two vertebrae) if you don't know what you are doing. Kids have no sense of danger, a low centre of gravity and can be out of your reach and racing off down a hill in a split second.

Doing what you are planning is not unreasonable - it's really really dangerous.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 28/01/2022 06:56

You don't ski.
Your children don't ski.

Yet you thought a skiing holiday with no access to ski school was the right thing to do?

I've been skiing since I was four. I was in ski school everyday of every holiday until was about eight or nine years old. Only when I was doing red and black runs competently did my parents feel comfortable taking me out all day alone.

Skiing is dangerous. What happens if they go too far ahead and you loose sight of them? Or one takes a wrong turning and you end up on a slope that's way beyond any of your capabilities? What would you do if one of them fell off a T-Bar? Would you know how to walk back up a busy ski slope safely in order to retrieve a lost ski or hat or glove after a crash or fall?

Please don't do this and have a think about the danger you'd be putting yourselves and everyone else in

VikingLundyMalin · 28/01/2022 06:57

@LentilNameChange

I hope you're ok OP, there have been some highly unnecessary mean comments on this thread.

I'm certainly not saying the OP's plan was a good one. But the pile on meanness is really not needed, is it.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree that people are being unnecessarily mean - they are just incredulous at how stupid she is being. The bigger issue is that despite everyone saying that this a terrible idea she is planning to do it anyway.

CatMonthly · 28/01/2022 06:59

I agree with CzechIt above - try and change mindset and make this a snow holiday, go tobogganing, go to the pool, build snowmen, perhaps try some short cross country skiing. You will not be able to do five days of skiing with your kids without lessons and it is really verging on unsafe. Myself and partner ski competently raised in Scandinavia, just one kid who is fearless and thanks to ski school is now safe and secure on the slopes. No way we would consider complete DIY, it would be miserable. There will absolutely be other options than ski school available if you start googling.

Thatsplentyjack · 28/01/2022 07:00

What? You've booked a ski holiday and plan on teaching your 3 children yourself but you don't know how to ski? Honestly you need to cancel the holiday or go find other things to do because that is just a recipe for disaster!

Octomore · 28/01/2022 07:00

@Merryoldgoat

I’m no skier. But it sounds pretty mad to try to teach three small children to ski when neither of you can ski yourselves.

I am a skier, and I agree.

What exactly do you envisage happening? You will be attempting to stay upright, unsteady on your feet, struggling to work out what to do... and teaching your kids at the same time?

The holiday would be an utter waste of money for everyone involved.

Put the kids in ski school, and get half day lessons for yourself.

Blinkingbatshit · 28/01/2022 07:00

Ok, if you can’t afford lessons the best advice is DON’T ski. Use the location as a base to explore the area and do other things. Do not put your kids at risk like this - to be fair you would be utterly irresponsible.

HasaDigaEebowai · 28/01/2022 07:00

Another saying you all need to be separately in ski school. Your kids need to be in beginners kids, you need beginners adult and your husband probably also needs to be in or to have a couple of private lessons. A skiing holiday at this level means all being separated for most of the day.

Dh is an amazing skier and has skied every year but one since he was 2 (now 51). He’s like the milk tray man on the slopes. Our dc still go into ski school and so do I and he has a few one on one private lessons every time we go.

HasaDigaEebowai · 28/01/2022 07:01

Where are you actually going OP?

42isthemeaning · 28/01/2022 07:03

This thread has completely put me off ever going on a skiing holiday. Not that I could ever afford it anyway!

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