Skiing with a 1 and 3 year old

[billiegoat]

We are off on our first ski trip post having kids in a week. Taking 2 x grandparents with us plus some very hands on child free friends . We have a super big comfy chalet, and ski school booked for our very nearly 4 year old. We are going to Austria to a place we've been many times before.

I'm becoming increasingly nervous, worried it's going to be a disaster, worried they'll be too cold, worried I've forgotten how to ski too as it's been so long (6 years since I've been!). Worrying about everything there is to worry about while my DH is just excited.

Can I have any words of wisdom, tips, hints, or general positivity from any seasoned family skiers?

Thank you everyone for amazing advice!

I feel excited now!

You need to be prepared that your 3 year old might cry at the idea of ski school. Even if he's fine being left at nursery etc normally. We just lowered our standards enormously and bribed with jelly babies etc. It was worth it in the end.

They also get very exhausted skiing so make sure you are prepared for the meltdowns have more sweeties etc on hand.

We had to persevere with both of ours at age 3/4

I think ski school in Austria is different to what it is in France. I'm glad mine have learned to ski in Austria when I see the quality of skiing from some of the kids in France they just seem to pelt off out of control.

We are off on Saturday I can't wait 😁

Ski familie is a good alternative to espirit

As the 'hands on child free friends' in your scenario, don't assume the level of hands-on ness will be the case on a ski trip as it might at home. They have paid a lot of money for their holiday, and may well want to ski a lot more than you will be able to. They may not want to be beholden to the timetable of ski school (especially being back at 'base' after just 2 hrs) and may want to ski longer.

We have done this with our friends when the kids were 4, 7, 8 and 11 (same friends, 4 trips, kids getting older each time!) We do typically wait until ski school drop off has happened so we can all start the day together, but we don't ski the whole day in a group. I'm not keen to clock watch and make my way back to ski school for 2.45 each day, so we usually part company with the parents at lunch.

The 3yo is pretty young for ski school - it's worth being mentally prepared for that not to work out.

I think the main thing is being mindful of ALL the people on the trip, and trying not to make everyone's holiday being arranged around the needs of the 1 and 3 year old.

It can work really well (otherwise we wouldn't have done it 4 times!), but be prepared for all kinds of scenarios and possibilities! And enjoy!

We took grandmother and DD at aged 1 to Austria and then used ski esprit (sadly no longer but other companies offer similar) To be able to ski a good half day felt like such a treat that we didn't feel we needed to push it all day every day which worked well. Adding in the child friendly apres ski activities like sledging, igloo building, swimming, hot chocolates, fondue and giant cakes made it nice for all especially if some days the kids ski lessons had not gone as well.

Make sure to take pool stuff. If there’s a thermal pool in town it’s ideal place for grandparents to go with baby in the mornings, or you all head to late afternoon when kids can place and adults enjoy also.

We ski regularly with now 4 year old. Last year at 3 he was knackered after two kid slope runs so I wouldn’t think a full morning is really suited. Now he can do a few hours but it’s broken up with stopping for drinks/ snacks/ lunch. It’s max around 45mins really before he wants a break. At his kindergarten they take them but realistically it’s only the 4-6 year olds, more likely almost 5-6 year olds that really sign up. So if he’s at ski school I would assume that an adult ie grandparents or you will
need to stay close or on site rather than a free morning to ski.