Ski resort as cheaply as possible

[Wewillallhavebadteeth]

Planning to go to a ski resort in March for two nights with one young dc
We won’t ski…Dh might snowboard, but will rent that there if he decides he wants go
We basically just want to go for the snow and so that our dc can play in the snow
What do we need clothing wise? All of us?
Can you rent kids sledges at resorts or do you bring?
I have no idea!

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

https://www.snowdome.co.uk

Or here.

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.

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.

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.

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

From researching on the internet, it seems to say March and April has the most snow? Specifically the first week of March, is that not true?

Would a 6 year old really get bored of snow that quickly?

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.

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

Ahh ok not sounding too good!
When would you say are the best times to go to Spain for snow?

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

@LIZS It will be Spain as close to where we are now in order to drive there

What are the webcams and forecast showing now?

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.

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.

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.

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.