A Handy Guide to Planning an Awesome Family Ski Holiday

A ski vacation is an excellent way to spend quality time with your family. It allows you to connect and have meaningful conversations with your spouse and kids, get the exercise you need when you’re on the slopes and enjoy bargain deals offered by ski resorts.

Planning a family ski trip for the first time can be like a daunting process, as you need to consider various things that make a vacation fun and successful. Don’t worry, though, by planning months ahead of your holiday, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a safe and wonderful ski vacation.

Here are a few suggestions for organizing an amazing ski holiday with your family:

Think About Your Family’s Ski Clothes

You need to do your shopping for ski clothing early in the season. Stocks for quality ski clothing are in demand during wintertime and may run out quickly. When the middle of winter rolls in, you could have a hard time choosing the sizes and styles you want. Also, although ski resorts do an excellent job of catering to your ski clothing, you may have to pay higher prices for the convenience. So, save money by shopping early.

Here’s what you and your family will need when you’re going on a ski trip:

• Adult-sized ski jackets

• Quality kids’ ski jackets from Spyder or other reputable brands

• Ski socks

• Neck warmers

• Sport sunglasses or ski goggles

• Sweaters and turtlenecks for extra comfort

Choose a Family-Friendly Ski Destination

When choosing a destination, don’t be limited by the ski resorts in your area or state. Venture out and look for ski destinations that offer excellent value to families.

Here are guide questions to help you pick the right ski resort for your family:

• Can I rent ski gear for my kids?

• Are there cabins, rooms or lodges that can perfectly accommodate every family member?

• Does the ski resort provide slopes that are suitable for all types of skiers?

• Does the resort have an experienced instructor that teaches children how to ski?

Choose Your Dates Carefully

Decide when you’d like to go on a ski vacation with your family. If you want to have a fun ski trip, consider arranging your vacation on less crowded days. This means steering clear of Christmas week, President’s Day and other holidays. Ski resorts tend to be crowded during peak periods. What’s more, you may find prices jacking up due to the demand.

Rent Ski Equipment

If you and your family will be hitting the slopes for the first time, consider renting ski equipment first. Renting allows you to become more familiar with your equipment and learn your preferences for a particular ski style. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to demo a particular ski gear and make comparisons when you’re on the slopes.

Keep an Eye Out for Ski Vacation Deals

Searching for discounts and promotional offers will help you save hundreds of dollars on your family ski trip. Not sure where to start your deal hunt? Consider these ideas to get you started:

• Subscribe to E-Mail Newsletters – Many ski resorts offer promotional deals to promote their best deals of the season. So, don’t dismiss these newsletter e-mails as spam. You might just stumble upon a deal that will save you money.

• Consider Ski and Snowboard Season Passes – This pass can help you save on your vacation if you plan to ski for more than a week and go on a holiday at different resorts in the future.

• Seize Deals during Black Friday – If you’re still having trouble getting a great deal, wait for Black Friday to arrive. During this day, you’ll come across ski resorts providing discounts on lodging, lift tickets and rentals.

Come up with a Holiday Itinerary

Determine how your skill vacation days will go with your family. Apart from usual skiing and snowboarding, consider adding these activities to your itinerary:

• Ice Skating – Not fond of the slopes? Try skating on the ice instead. Some resorts have a rink that lets you pull off your axles, loops and flips.

• Play in the Snow – Do your kids want to build a snowman? If so, let them. Some resorts allow guests to create amazing snow angels, Mr. Frosty and other “cool” sculptures.

• Entertainment Room – If the weather is bad, your family will need to stay inside the resort. Check if the accommodation has an entertainment room that lets your little ones watch Disney holiday movies to pass the time.

• Town Visits – You don’t need to spend all your time at your ski resort. If traveling is your passion, consider planning trips to nearby towns and check out museums and other attractions.

• Spa or Hot Springs – After a long day on the slopes, you could head to your resort’s natural hot springs and enjoy a much-needed relaxation.

Plan a memorable and fun ski holiday with your family. When choosing itineraries and dates, don’t forget to obtain suggestions and feedback from your kids. After all, you want everyone in the family to have a blast for the whole vacation.