Take two children skiing and leave one at home?

[fakenamefornow]

Would you?

Children are 9, 10 and 12. They have only been skiing once before, last year. Middle child didn't like it, even though he could ski ok by the end of the week, he say's he never wants to go again. The other two loved it and are desperate to go again. I promised him last year that if he was good, went to ski school everyday, if he didn't like it by the end of the week he didn't have to go ever again.

He would have to go stay with granny, which he wouldn't be thrilled about. and no, we can't afford to then take him a a special holiday afterwards.

What would you do?

Could granny come out and the two of them hang out at the chalet and do all the non-skiing things?

The thought of going on holiday sking would make me miserable. So you took a child on holiday promised them if they didn't like it they wouldn't have to do it again...Now not even a couple of years later he doesn't have to go but doesn't get a holiday and you are sitll trying to make him fit your box. When looking for holidays I look for something that works for everyone not one that works for the majority.

Our middle child was less keen on ski-ing initially. He really warmed to it third time though. But first 3 times we went to lovely Austrian hotel with great kids pool and kids spa and soft play and he liked sledging and messing about in snow. It meant mostly only one adult skied at a time (there was childcare but mine never want to go to kids club on hol ) but we all felt we had a lovely holiday. Ski area not vast. Will try to link hotel.

On phone so can't link. Falkensteiner Hotel Cristallo. I love this place sooo much. Poss geared to slightly younger kids and we couldn't afford to go this year as quite pricey but it's not just ski-ing so accommodates no skiers well. The first year we went kids were 6, 3 and a 9 week bump so I ended up not ski-ing but loved it. There is also a room with air hockey and video games, the kids pool has a slide and the adult pool is a cool indoor-outdoor one the kids loved too. Feel like I'm giving away my best secret!

Absolutely not. It's a family holiday not a family except you holiday. Find something else they'd all enjoy - scuba diving?

Absolutely not a problem. There are no good reasons at all for making holidays an obligation for the whole family.

What about him trying snowboarding rather than skiing?

You really can't believe there is anyone who has been skiing and didn't like it??

This thread reminded me of a program called holiday showdown..Made people go on a holiday which where there idea of hell was created. The difference was they didn't have to do it again or get no holiday they got to do the holiday of their dreams.

I hated skiing. Husband usually goes with friends but he wants to take the kids, I've said he's very welcome to and I'll have a lovely week at home. So not my thing

I wouldn't leave one behind

To be honest I'd probably make him go - he's 10 and if he's not good at skiing yet then he's bound to be less into it - it's hard work learning! I don't think he should dictate but..,

I defo think you need to alternate years with holidays he does like. It's very unfair to go every year and leave him behind or drag him along

Ice also never heard of anyone not liking skiing (unless very old/immobile)🙈😁😉

I hate skiing with a passion, the rest of my family loved it, I did go a couple of times (what a waste of money for my parents) and mooched around at the swimming pool or reading; but eventually my parents and siblings went without me and I was absolutely fine staying behind with my grandparents.

I still hate skiing - and am married with a DH and DS who love skiing - they go off without me, I don't mind at all, I have a sunshine holiday with a girlfriend later in the year.

Butter - you've seriously never heard of anyone who doesn't like skiing?

I can't ski
DH loves it as does DD1 and they haven't missed a year in 14.
DC2 can take it or leave it and has missed the last 2 years and the year she was 12, if I had skied she would have happily stayed at home with GP.
We do have a summer holiday most years, DD1 doesn't like heat and beaches once she had expressed this we opted to make the holidays a combination of city/sightseeing/beach. If we could only afford 1 holiday a year DD1 & DH would go sking and DC2 & I would go to a beach.

I know plenty of adults that can't/won't ski. Usually I expect the fear and effort is greater than the perceived reward. I've only come across one child that doesn't like it and I also think that is fear after an accident.

I really do think you need to deliver on your promise this year, but don't give up. My friend who is a fab skier was a refusenik as a child and was bribed with sweets until she agreed to go and she loves it now.

I hope you find a way forward.

I hate skiing (DP is mad passionate about it). There is zero reward for me! I loathe the cold and the movement makes me travel sick! I have lots of girlfriends who were brought up to ski and who realise in their 30s and 40s that they are allowed to own their own feelings about how unpleasant they find skiing.

I hate skiing find it pointless, boring and repetitive. Ski schools tend to pander to the top of the class and make it too competitive.

I dont however mind snowy mountain holidays, look into finding somewhere that does snow shoeing, hikes, horse and carriage rides etc the Kinderhotel range is very good at offering other activities see if you cant compromise.

Also what is it he does not like about it?

boring and repetitive

Does your kids' school do a ski trip? Too late to enrol your two for this year, but is there any mileage in promising they can do that next year? Then you can do something all together in the summer.