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Ski and snowboarding

For ski chat, join the Mumsnet Ski forum. Check out our guide to the best resorts in Europe and our family ski holiday packing list.

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Original poster

How old were your children on their first trip and do you regret it?

40 replies

NameNumber2 · 22/02/2015 17:15

We are considering going on our first family ski trip next February half term. DH and I are capable skier/snowboarders. DDs will be 6 nearly 7 and 4.5. We are not sure if it is too early for our youngest.

What ages were your children on their first ski trip and do you regret the timing?

OP posts:

SilasGreenback · 23/02/2015 08:51

Mine were 5,3 and 3. They all started in America or Canada, so the teaching was all in English, or English then French in Quebec. The first two started right at the end of the season, so although they were in group lessons it was basically more instructors than kids at the group stage in the bunny slope, then once they moved onto the mountain 1-2-1.

When we started the youngest, he had a week of 1 hour private lessons and half a day of kids club. Sometimes he just did the lesson not the kids bit. The second week he did full days in kids club with 2 one hour 1-2-3 lessons. By the end of the holiday he skied an easy black.

Now they are all demon skiers but because we didn't force them to spend all day in lessons when they didn't want to they were all happy to try it again the next year. I think you and the instructors just need to be flexible to make sure they enjoy the experience. The smaller the group the more chance of that happening to suit your child. We had one who seemed to spend a whole week eating biscuits in an igloo in Quebec once as he found it too cold (he probably had a point!) but he still remembers that as a great holiday rather than a cold miserable one.

Superking · 23/02/2015 13:13

Agree that you would be best off with a company specialising in family ski holidays as they will be set up to make life easier. We are about to go on our second trip with snowfocus in Chatel. They have an in-house nanny service from 9-6 each day for children who aren't skiing or are just doing half days, so your youngest could ski in the morning and spend the afternoon in the chalet if you want to ski all day. They also have a ski nanny who takes the children to their lessons (run by their own ESF instructor so small groups) and will stay with them on the slopes if they want reassurance/ company, as well as meeting them for lunch. All really flexible. We had a great time last year.

CruCru · 23/02/2015 14:58

Last week we took DS (3.5) and DD (16 mo) to Morzine. DS went into the ski kindergarten and we arranged a nanny with the chalet company for DD.

CrispyFB · 23/02/2015 16:03

We've used Crystal in the past at Plagne 1800 and they were very handy for the wrap-around childcare (taking children to and from lessons etc) and it was nice non-skiing DS could see skiing DD2 in the afternoons. We were staying self-catering so once the session was over for the day, there were no enforced separate meals (which may or may not be a bad thing depending on your preference!) - we just had them to ourselves. They also arranged a babysitter for one night so we could have a meal child-free.

Have booked with them for Tignes next year so it will be interesting to see if we still get the same good standard!

clam · 23/02/2015 19:38

I've just come back from France and there were some seriously small (French) kids in tabards down to their knees in lessons. Possibly 3yos? Seemed a bit young to me, but they all seemed quite happy. However, I have, in previous years, seen some hysterical tantrums - usually when the weather was bad.

My two were 8 and 10 when we first took them. They did ski-school for two years I think, 2 or 3 private lessons with a small group of friends for one (maybe two) seasons (worked out cheaper and much more effective), and then have just skiied with us since then. They also did a couple of courses initially at our local dry slope, which then turned into a Snow Centre.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 23/02/2015 21:10

That's a good point Clam about the weather making a difference.

The kinder the weather, the happier the children are likely to be.

southbucks77 · 23/02/2015 21:14

I've just returned from the French Alps with my two - DD(6) and DS(4.5). DD took to it like a duck to water and was following us down blues and getting on and off chair lifts happily within 3 days. DS didn't get it. He enjoyed ski school (he's generally happy in childcare anyway) but just didn't understand what to do. However I spoke to a few other families who had the same issues and we made the link between skiing and general physical activities such as pedalling a bike or riding a scooter. My DD has been able to these since 3yrs but my DS still can't manage either. I would say if your child is confident, physically able and happy in childcare they will be fine.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 23/02/2015 21:38

My eldest went to ski school with a Family Ski helper when he was 3.5, he hated it and never ever wanted to have ski lessons ever again. He has moved on to freestyle and boarding now. More scope for mucking about.

My youngest went into ESF afternoon lessons at 3, fell asleep at snack time and spent the rest of the afternoon howling. He would prefer not to have lessons. At five, he skis without fear or style and has just done his first black.

My middle child started when she was 4.5 with ESF loved it, is fine in any kind of ski lessons and skis like a pro.

Perhaps 4.5 was the magic number, but I suspect it also comes down to personality!!

WantAnotherHoliday · 24/02/2015 10:44

Ours were 5 and 3. Austria all the way! We stayed at a Kinderhotel, which meant there was an option for the youngest to be taken into kids' club (which they both loved) after lunch. The older one could have done too but was keen to ski - and by the following year they had both progressed up the mountain. In 6 years of skiing in Austria, all their groups have been English-speaking. We travel at English Half Term so language isn't a problem!

Original poster

NameNumber2 · 27/02/2015 21:23

Thank you so much for all your advice we have decided to go for it and have booked with Snowbizz. I am sure it will be unlike any ski trip we have had before and we can't wait! Must try and look out for bargain ski wear now!

OP posts:

MeanwhileHighAboveTheField · 01/03/2015 16:11

So long to wait! Bet you will enjoy it though. I think 4 is a great age to learn to ski. Ds did a bit at 3 and was doing well but with an edgie-wedgie to help him snowplough. Now he is 4 he is flying around without it.

haggardoldwitch · 04/03/2015 16:45

Came on to say Snowbizz. Mine were 4 & 5 when we started & they loved it from the word go.
Snowbizz is great because; all English speakers in the classes, no walking with the kit, it's small enough to ski back for lunch and it's almost snow sure.

12 years later our DC are better skiers than us.

Roseotto · 09/03/2015 00:53

Mine were 5 and 3. Younger one didn't get much out of it until he was 5 - a good ski school makes all the difference!

Roseotto · 09/03/2015 00:54

Ps never regretted it though!

Roseotto · 14/03/2015 00:16

Mine were 3 and 5. Younger one made no meaningful progress until age 5 (crap ski school though - second year we even got a refund it was so poor). Now having ups and downs at 6 but has skied the odd red and black. Elder child can do pretty much anything on piste at 8.

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