To be so confused about how to book a ski holiday

[sideeyes]

Never been on one. Have two young kids and a partner. I want to self cater. How do I get to ski slopes every day? Where do I hire ski equipment from? How do I get to my accommodation from the airport? Do most people self-cater? I’ve looked at all inclusive and the places look gross so far - any recommendations for non gross ones? It is a whole new world…

As others have said - as first timers you don't need a big resort (you'll be paying for it but not using 75% of it), go for a small family resort (somewhere like Val Cenis, Praloup etc).
And as beginners you need lessons - all day ideally (I have no idea how a beginner adult could manage skiing alone with a beginner child) and for the kids, put them in the beginners kids lessons (adults and kids learn and progress totally differently).

Second this!

I know you said self catering OP but ski resorts usually lack a big supermarket so the reality is an overpriced spar shop and dragging your shopping up an icy hill. Or dining out at expensive mountain restaurants. Club Med is really good value for money, they’re amazing for kids and they sort everything from the moment you step off the plane. I’d definitely take a look!

The smaller resorts are much better for beginners and kids. If you’re looking at France, we really enjoyed Val Cenis, Pras de Lys and Alpe D’Huez when my kids were little. My top tip is to rent a locker (unless your accommodation is right on the slope). Trudging through the snow to a bus stop after a days skiing with tired kids and all their gear is truly awful. Be aware, skiing with kids is an endurance test, not a holiday!

I agree with others that it all feels a bit overwhelming when you start so a tour operator like Crystal or Neilsen will make everything so much easier.

I also cannot overstate how knackering it is when you are first learning - honestly wobbling down the nursery slopes is more exhausting than skiing black runs! I normally self-cater on holidays but I LOVE having half board on ski trips because at the end of the day you are shattered and it’s very appealing to be able to put your feet up!

Chalets are great if you don’t mind being a bit social - either you will be with other beginners or more experienced skiers who can share tips - it’s really helpful to chat in the evenings to other people who can tell you what runs in the resort are like if you are ready to venture out on your own.

Be prepared for how quickly kids progress - my fearless 10 year old was on black runs on their first full week skiing!

It will depend on the resort. Packages make it much easier as the rep will steer you through the hire shop, lift pass, lessons etc and you can prebook and pay. There is more likelihood of English speaking instruction and group through them. You either need central accommodation to the skischool meeting point/nursery slopes or a shuttle bus. Accommodation usually has a ski room for equipment and some may have storage space nearer the slopes rather than you walk there in skiboots. If you are all beginners is worth considering other facilities in resort such as a pool or ice rink in case skiing is not for everyone, weather is nasty or you fancy time off.

You can book individual components (tourist office, lift company and skischool usually have websites to suggest outlets) but you may find you can get a local lift pass for beginners, or use a specific hire shop for example, which is better value as rep can get at bulk discount.

Hi, I just found this thread and hoping you could answer a few questions 🙏🏼The hotel you recommended looks really good, what is the skiing like? Is it at high altitude so there will be snow in April? Which area is best for intermediate and advanced skiers? I can’t see a piste map near the hotel.
Thank you 🙂

@Jane958 While the area where the Seitenalm is located is great for beginners and intermediates, there is not much for good and advanced skiers and Radstadt is too low for April skiing. Last season the ski resort (Radstadt-Altenmark) closed on 26th March 2025.

Personally i wouldn’t self cater on a skiing holiday. Skiing and snowboarding is exhausting. Especially when learning. You are basically exercising all day. And you might also be covered in bruises (especially if learning to snowboard!). In the mornings, you will probably be needing to get up and out for lessons, and getting all your gear together and trouping about in it is time consuming so it takes a lot longer to get up and out.

You often feel like you need another holiday to get over your ski holiday when you get back! The last thing I’d want to add in to that is buying in and making meals tbh. Or even having to go out every night for dinner. Also factor in that in many resorts eating out can be super expensive, so if you’re intending to do this check out the costs. This includes eating during the day while on the slopes - you won’t generally want to come back to the accommodation to eat lunch, you really stay out forgery, and just lunch can add up - we used to take stuff from breakfast out with us to keep the costs down 😳

That’s why fully catered accommodation is very popular on ski holidays and widely available.