Resorts when one kid loves skiing and one hates it

[Seapatrol]

We would like to take our kids skiing for the first time. We have a strong suspicion that our younger ds (4) will get it pretty quickly and enjoy the experience while our older ds (6) will not. He just isn't naturally into risk taking, physical outdoor activities etc. We don't want to prejudge the outcome but if as we expect the older child wants to quit lessons after day 1, are there any resorts with good other things we could do with him during the holiday to not make it a total write off? Any ideas welcome! Also if anyone has worked with their children who have a similar outlook and have learnt to ski that would be great to hear about.

So your 6 year old hates skiing and you don’t know if your 4 year old will love it or hate it. So - I dunno - have you considered maybe not going skiing? It is an option you know …

Sorry misread. But comment still stands if 6 year old likely to hate it.

I have similar children and to my surprise the eldest (not physical, poor balance, fear of heights) is the one who prefers skiing!! They both really like it but the eldest loves it.

Before we booked a ski holiday, we took them to an indoor snow slope for a lesson so we could see if it was going to be a non starter. It was a long drive to get there but really worthwhile as they did like it and it made us feel much happier that the eldest would be ok, plus it meant they learned more quickly when we went on the holiday and spent less time falling over.

also do choose your kids’ ski lessons carefully- a small group size and an instructor with good English and child friendly approach makes such a difference.

Not worth overthinking. Don’t present ski school as an option that he can ditch if he doesn’t like it, just something he does in the morning and then you can do something he chooses in the afternoon, ideally skiing together so he can show you his skills but maybe sometimes he will choose something else. If you choose a hotel or apartment with a pool I’m sure it’s plenty to keep him busy. The 6 yo may surprise you as he will possibly progress more quickly than the younger one given his age, ability to follow instructions and being a bit bigger. I don’t know any kids who haven’t taken to it. Just make sure he’s warm enough. I don’t think kids see it as risk taking, it’s different to learning as an adult!

We went with a mixed skier and non-skier group to a Club Med resort last year, and it was pretty good.

The non-skiing kids stay back in the kids club while the rest ski so they’ve got a load of toys and some supervision for the morning. Than they can join in with the shows etc in the afternoon, go swimming, go and play in the snow

The resorts aren’t cheap, but they aren’t crazy expensive either, given that literally everything from lessons to meals to lift passes are included

The older hotels are much cheaper than the new glitzy ones

We were concerned about my eldest due to her hating any form of sport. To our surprise she loved it and skiing is her favourite holiday.
Avoriaz is a nice resort with sledging, a water park and horse drawn carriage rides. It’s our favourite resort but unfortunately very is pricey if you need to go in feb half term.
Les deux alps is also a nice family resort.

You might be surprised.

Half day lessons. Do mornings, as although it's a faff to get them out, it's all done by lunchtime, and you can then have a play afternoon.

Les Arcs is fantastic. There's tobogganing in both 2000 and 1800 villages. There's a pool with a slide in 1800, the Museum of Mountain Animals over in Peisey-Vallandry, and the Light Show at the top of the Varet lift in 2000. Though to be honest, my youngest (now 10, but aged 6 when he learned to ski), is happy just playing in the snow for an afternoon.

I'd stay in 1800 personally, somewhere with a pool.

There's a fab green run in 1800, and that's where they'll do a good chunk of their beginner week. It has ginant hands to high five, arches to ski through, and xylophones that you play with your poles. It's open to the public, too, so you and the DC could lap it in the afternoons. It's then a fun activity.

Go for a ski school that specialises in small groups (we used Evolution2 in 1800). They run all lessons in English and have a maximum group size of 8.

Thanks to everyone who has offered helpful advice, really useful. Will do some digging into the resorts mentioned.