First ski trip with children - any advice very welcome

[upto11]

I've finally managed to persuade my DH to come skiing and we're heading off with our two DC in February half term. I am an experienced skier, DH less so and certainly doesn't love skiing in the way that I do, so am very keen to make this a success so he will want to go every year!

Does anyone have any tips for making skiing for the first time with children a success?

Our oldest DS is 7 and the younger one 4. Do you think they would go into the same ski school class? DS2 is on the clingy side and is not keen to be on his own without the safety of his older brother. The place we are going seems to have a ski school which offers 90 minute morning lessons for kids. This seems very short to me, am sure I remember doing at least a couple of hours in the morning, but this could be my memory! Does this sound typical?

Any advice very gratefully received.

[UnDeuxTroisCatsSank]

I skiied years ago before the advent of helmets I always wore a flees balaclava (skiied in North America where it was COLD)

With a helmet, do you wear a balaclava or hat under or over or what?

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Tissues - always carry tissues. Small kids in lessons always seem to have horrendous runny noses from the cold and the altitude and there's rarely paper in the loos !

I wish I was going skiing this year......... where are you all going?

[Artandco]

Un - with helmet in usually put a head band under to keep top of for head and ears warmer, but most just helmets fine as padded inside anyway for warm. I can fit a thin hat under helmet if it was really cold.

[dontcallmethatyoucunt]

We had a balaclava under helmets when it was really cold, but they are quite warm anyway.

[PatriciaHolm]

Never been cold enough to need anything under helmets! We ski the French Alps at New Year and Easter; the top can get very cold but it's finger and toes that feel it most IME, and chins but a neck buff sorts that out. Silk glove liners are good for extra warmth if you think it's going to be very cold. And yes to tissues!!

[Upatnight]

Artandco and Patricia, am really interested to hear more about your kids starting lessons at 2. Where did you go and which ski instructors did you use - did you also have childcare? Taking our 2,4,6,8 year olds this year! Thanks

[PatriciaHolm]

We always go to Sainte Foy, and they've had private lessons through ESF there. Not at 2 though; DD started lessons at 3 and DS about 3.5; up until then, from about 2, they had proper skis and boots but came out with us and several wonderful, long suffering friends who would ski with them between legs/holding onto the end of a pole, or round and round the magic carpet. So they could ski a little by the time they started lessons. We didn't use any childcare outside of lessons, but friends have used Premier Neige a lot and we've used the babysitters a fair number of times.

Where are you off to, Up?

[InspectorMontalbano]

High spf!

[Gattabianca]

ESF usually will do lessons for 2 yo - but they are short 30 minute 1:1 lessons, usually in the snow garden rather than a course of kids group lessons. ESF do that in Morzine anyway. Other ski schools might offer private lessons for 2yos.
I think for a lot of children they will not get much out of it at that age, but obviously it depends on the child.

[MrsTomFord]

Definitely go for private lessons! I did ski school as a child and detested it. DC is 5 and has skied five times over the last two seasons. We've had the same guide for the last 10 years and she started with him doing a couple of hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon.

I don't ski any longer due to health issues so go to the gym in the morning while she's skiing. DH then goes off with the guide for an hour or so and we meet up the mountain (always choose where we ski for the food!) for a long lunch (luckily DC likes socialising and long lunches). Then she'll ski for a couple more hours in the afternoon while I go to the spa/have a massage and our nanny then takes her swimming/skating/sledging or if she wants, skis with her a little longer. Lots of hot chocolate breaks, no forcing anyone to ski longer than they want and fantastic food. Definitely helmets and goggles but sunglasses (on a string) for lunch and she likes that 80s style coloured sun block. A piece of Ritter chocolate tends to find its way into her pocket for a mid morning snack..

We've always been a 'ski comfortable' family and she seems to have inherited that. Loves the apre ski and a lovely dinner too. She sometimes likes a nap before lunch too, so remember to factor that in.

[Nevercan]

We have just taken dd1 6 yrs and dd2 4 years to Austria. They did 2 hours in the morning. Lunch/play for an hour and then 2 hours after lunch. They loved it. They started together and then dd1 went up a class. There were 5 on a group - lovely little ski school

[trixymalixy]

Un, if it's really cold I wear my buff as a balaclava under my helmet. You can also get helmets that you can fit beanies under, I think the liner is removable.

[clam]

You'll be much better off with private lessons than group. Way too many kids in group lessons, frankly, and they'd probably be in French too, with English as an afterthought.

General tips:

• Leave for lessons at least 15 mins before you think you need to, and make sure they've been to the loo before you start layering up!
  
• Agree: ski ties! (although in all likelihood, they won't be carrying the skis. In 10 years of skiing, I don't think dd has ever carried her own!! But you'll be glad of them)
  
• Use neck buffs not scarves. Scarves work loose and flap.
  
• Put gloves on strings round neck - you do not want them to lose one.
  
• Carry spares as well. They get wet and unpleasant quickly.
  
• Take fun-size choc bars for an energy boost on chairlifts.
  
• Write your mobile details and chalet address on a slip of paper in a safe pocket. Teach them how to use it/who to approach for help if lost.
  
• Make sure they know not to ever open the pocket that has their lift pass in. Keep nothing else in that pocket at all.
  
• Make a note of the code on the lift passes. This is essential if you ever need to replace it.
  
• Agree about tissues.

[upto11]

Just thought I'd give a belated update about the holiday..

A great time was had by me and both DS. Smallest DS a little unsure at first and we spent quite a lot of time consuming hot chocs and cookies in a café, but became more confident as the week went on. Oldest DS loved it from the outset - yay - and the days when he is better than me are probably not in the too distant future!

Sadly DH still doesn't like skiing. I don't think his instructor helped - he seemed to make him less confident as the week went on. Think it's going to be a job to persuade him to come next year. BUT, I loved going with the children so much, we shall go together and leave him at peace in home!

Thanks for all the advice everyone.