Single child - ski school

[Mammyofonlyone]

We're off to Whistler for DD (10)'s first ski trip. She is an only child so will be in ski school on her own. At the (strong) recommendation of the operator we booked her in 'full' days Monday to Friday.

As the time approaches I am a bit worried about her having nobody to play with and not having the courage to chat to anyone else.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Am I worrying unnecessarily????

How is she with new situations/children generally? Has she done this in any other context?

our quite quiet DS has been fine at Ski School on his own from age 7, but we only ever expected him to do half days.

Full days are exhausting if you haven’t skied before - at any age! Unless your DD is v sporty half days are probably plenty. You can spend the remainder half day doing things together as a family or tag teaming if both parents want to have a full day on the slopes.

She’s unlikely to be the only ‘only’ as even sibling groups will likely end up in different classes. My dc were only in e same group for one week ( not their first).

Dc was on her own (older sister didn't fancy skiing) plenty of only's

I was an only child and did ski school "full time" on the Monday to Friday. I absolutely LOVED it. You're completely mixed, so there's loads of people there on their own too but who are a similar ability. Best days ever!

Thanks everyone, I appreciate that. I'll try not to worry about my only!

She's always been an only so I suppose it's normal to her.

We will see how it goes re: the full days. If it proves a bit much we will consider finishing at lunch.

Thanks all x

I found the ski school in whistler takes a lot of breaks during the full day so mine managed it even when v young. Also, from your perspective, half days aren’t great as it means you don’t have time to see much of the mountain by the time you drop off and get up the mountain.

Thanks @illiterato that makes sense and is re-assuring too re length of days etc.

I find I worry more about her being a 'lonely only' and managing on her own the older she gets! I really do appreciate the reassurance from everyone. Thank you

Don't you want to ski with her at all as a family? I think half day ski schoolnis plenty and then let her practice with you in the afternoons!

The Whistler Kids ski school programme is excellent and very inclusive. The instructors are all specialist kids' instructors and they have numerous activities on the mountain that they can use if the skiing gets too much. The huge advantage Whistler has over European resorts is that almost all of the kids will be native English speakers, as will the instructors. Classes are smaller than in France or Austria and usually have 2 instructors to a group. They get priority in the lift queues and in the restaurants at lunchtime.

I spent a couple of seasons in Whistler. The kids' groups always seemed to be having a ball and quite often it seemed that they were reluctant to be picked up at the end of the lessons as they'd been having so much fun with their new buddies. There is still time to ski together as a family after the classes finish - if the adults can keep up!

Me too. I was an only in ski school full time as my parents didn't ski and my brother is my younger. I LOVED IT! Absolutely brilliant childhood memories.

much younger*

My DDs did their first "full time" (10-3) ski school week at 4&5 in Austria (DD2 wasn't even at school then!). They were in different multi lingual groups and were fine.

Through the years sometimes they have been together, sometimes in separate groups. This was the first year one didn't make a friend (she was a couple of years older than the other girls, and the boys were friends with each other.. she was the only secondary school aged child at 11.5)

Mine have always been in separate groups as they are several years apart and always in groups mostly taught in French and they have always loved it and been fine. No pen pal type friends yet but friendly enough to pass the queues etc.

Mine have all done ski school alone as we don't ski, and they are banded to ability, so are all at different stages and separated. They all love it. They make new friends, and the instructors are good at making it fun while they're little/just starting out (it gets a bit more serious as their skills develop and they need to concentrate more). They all started at 3 and it was amazing to see how good they get as tiny little things!

My daughter did the full day ski school at Whistler when she was 8. She is also an only child.

It's absolutely great programme and she will be fine. They don't ski the whole day...they take a lot of breaks for food and play at the inside kids center too.

All three of mine went to ski school on their own as they were split by age/ability. Tbh I think they preferred it that way.

All had a brilliant time and made lots of new friends - she’ll have a lovely time!