That's La Plagne
12 tips for a perfect family ski holiday
Everything YOU need to plan and enjoy the best family ski holiday
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All your FAQs answered by a family ski holiday expert
Planning a family ski holiday can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation, it can be a fun and memorable experience for everyone. From choosing the right resort to packing the right gear, these 12 tips will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip for the whole family.
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1 Choose the Right Resort
The first step in planning a successful family ski holiday is choosing the right resort. Consider the skill level of your family members. When booking ski holidays, it is often the case that you need to find somewhere to cater to a mixed-ability ski group – from beginner or first-time skiers to advanced skiers or snowboarders.
Then, look at the amenities and activities available at the resort. Look for resorts with beginner-friendly slopes, ski schools, and childcare options for younger children. Also, consider the location and accessibility of the resort, as well as the cost and availability of accommodations. Researching and comparing different resorts can help you find the perfect fit for your family.
I am, of course, based in La Plagne, which, when you look a ski holiday forums like SnowHeads, Ski Club of GB and TripAdvisor, is always recommended as a great family-friendly ski resort. It’s well known as one of the best ski resorts for family ski holidays and also for beginner ski holidays. The reason for this is that La Plagne is a “snow-sure” resort. This basically means that because 70% of our pistes are above 2000m, we are one of the highest resorts, meaning we enjoy the best snow conditions in the Alps each winter. This article will tell you more about why La Plagne is great for family ski holidays.
However, even within La Plagne, there are some areas that are better suited for beginner skiers or first-time skiers.
- If you are looking for a picturesque, alpine family ski holiday, then the lower villages like MontAlbert, Les Coches and Champagny have some beautiful properties. And they are often a lot cheaper than similar ski chalets in the La Plagne altitude villages.
- Plagne 1800 has a collection of British tour operators, but the ski slopes feeding into Plagne 1800 to ski home at the end of the day are quite steep. Meaning that kids groups and nervous skiers will end up taking the bus back to the chalet.
- Belle Plagne has lots of accommodation on the slopes and is super accessible to the pistes. However, the nearest ski lifts are a walk or ski away on a gentle blue slope. So not always ideal for smaller children or mixed ski-ability families.
- Bellecôte is not the prettiest village. But it does have some of the core lifts for first-time skiers to learn from. But this does also make these lifts busy
- Plagne Centre, again not the prettiest ski village, but it has a great collection of beginner ski areas and accommodations that are meters from ski school meeting points.
- Plagne Villages and Plagne Soleil have some lovely ski hotels, ski chalets and self-catered apartments that are on some gentle blue slopes and near the green slope here. They are quieter villages than those I’ve listed above, so they can be perfect for family ski holidays. There are also some amazing family-friendly restaurants here as well.
2 Choose the right time to ski
We know that if you’re lucky enough to be skiing at any time of winter, then you are lucky enough! Having said that, there are some things to think about that will make a difference to booking your family ski holiday planning.
- Here are the questions you need to ask yourself:
- Peak weeks or off-peak ski weeks? Basically, are you tied to school terms?
- Snow conditions – what are you looking for? Track the weekly ski conditions in La Plagne and regular snow reports and snow forecasts.
- Ski holiday budget – what do you have to spend?
- People often ask, “Is it possible to book a cheap family ski holiday?” If you’re trying to keep the ski holiday cost down, then check out these tips for how to book a cheap ski holiday.
You can find lots more help on answering these questions, and more with the best times to go skiing in Europe.
3 Book Accommodations in advance
One of the most important tips for a successful family ski holiday is to book ski holiday accommodations in advance. This will not only ensure that you have a place to stay, but it can also save you money and give you more options to choose from.
Look for ski-in/ski-out accommodations or those that are located close to the slopes to make it easier for your family to get to and from the ski area. However, after speaking with lots of families and local ski instructors, ski-in-ski-out is not everything! What you actually want to look for in a mixed-ability ski family holiday is accommodation that is close to the beginner chairlift OR to the ski school meeting point. Basically, take every opportunity to reduce the amount of walking in ski boots for small children – and adults too!
Consider renting an apartment or chalet with a kitchen so you can save money on meals and have more space to relax after a long day on the slopes. But if you don’t fancy cooking each day, you can opt for meal delivery services, like Huski, who cook delicious, fresh meals, often with a local twist, and deliver them frozen to your door at the start of the week. Everything is high quality and ready to cook, so easy.
Alternatively, you can opt for a catered chalet ski holiday. This is the more ‘traditional’ British version of the ski holiday. But it has become a much more expensive option in recent years. Catered chalets can be a reasonable option if you can group together with other ski families with similar-aged children. This builds in some extra entertainment for your children and helps beat the boredom that kids often experience, even on the best family ski holiday.
Ski hotels are actually a great shout, and whilst they may seem a more expensive ski holiday at the outset, when you factor in catering, facilities like spas and pools, etc., It’s often a cheaper option. Especially if you can find an all-inclusive ski hotel.
Jen's Top Tip: Wherever you book, make sure you have separate rooms from the kids so that you can relax in the evening. Open-plan living might look Instagram-fabulous, but not when your kids crash out at 7 pm, and you’re sat in the dark for the rest of the night!
4 Consider booking childcare
Family ski holidays are magical, but it’s likely that you will still need some support with your children. Whether that’s a daytime creche or evening babysitting. Organising some childcare for your ski holiday is a great idea because the in-resort nannies will know the best places to take your kids. From the friendliest restaurants to the best hot chocolate stops. It also means that the adults in the group can split off and enjoy some grown-up time. Whether that is some backcountry skiing, hitting the après ski or a romantic dinner for two.
Things to be aware of, however: post-Brexit, a lot of the traditional package family ski holiday companies no longer operate with childcare available. For example, in La Plagne, we no longer have Ski Esprit, Mark Warner, or Neilson offering ski holidays with childcare. We only have Crystal Ski, who have an allocation of beds in some hotels, and Ski Famille, who have two beautiful chalets in Plagne 1800 – with childcare included in the ski holiday package. As you can imagine, these spaces are in high demand, so if you want childcare, make sure you book your ski holiday ASAP and get that childcare included.
Jen's Top Tip: There are some independent winter childcare options in ski resorts, offering private childcare and also lunch-clubs from ski schools to bridge the gap between morning and afternoon ski lessons. You need to get organised and book your winter holiday childcare in advance. Ski holidays with childcare and private childcare options are in high demand. Check out these childcare solutions in La Plagne.
5 Don’t forget about your ski travel to resort
When my friends book ski holidays, there are several opinions I always tell them to consider for their ski holiday travel. It's worth looking at them all because they can make a significant difference to your overall ski holiday cost as well as the ease of your transport.
Firstly, if you book a package ski holiday, then travel is usually taken care of. From the flights to the transfer to the resort.
If you are booking all the elements individually, these are my absolute top tips for successful ski holiday travel with your family.
- Book an early flight. Small inconvenience when leaving home early. But arriving at your ski resort whilst it is still daylight gives you time to unpack, organise your ski equipment, lift passes, enjoy lunch, etc. Arriving at the resort past 8 pm with children is a nightmare in itself, but it also pushes all the ski holiday admin onto the next morning, cutting into your first ski day.
- Ski resort transfers are in hot demand post-Brexit. With more ski tourists booking their own transfers to the resort and not using the traditional package ski holiday, peak weeks and weekend transfer slots are often booked out far in advance. You have a couple of solutions:
- Hire a car from the airport and drive to the resort
- Book a private transfer
- Book a shared transfer
- Take public transport, i.e., the train
All of the above ski transfer options have positives and negatives. I break them all down in this piece about ski resort transfers. However, with young children, my preference would be private transfer:
- Booked for your specific arrival/departure times
- No vehicle changes on-route
- Airport to-door delivery
One other option to consider is the snow train. Taking the train from London all the way to your resort could be a perfect solution for your family ski holiday. At the moment, the snow train is tied to specific holiday packages, but definitely check it out.
6 Find your ski gear for a fraction of the price
It can be shocking how much clothing and equipment you need to organise per person for your family ski holiday. Even those tiny children need a lot of clothing to keep them happy for a week of ski holiday fun. And then, trying to fit it all into a suitcase is like a complicated game of Tetris!
But it doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out EcoSki for renting ski clothing for adults and children. They deliver the clothing to you before you travel, and then you post it back at the end of your family ski holiday. To make things easy, they also have ski bundles for kids, grouping together base layers, hats, salopettes, and ski jackets. All for about £70 a week, a fraction of the price of buying everything new.
Another option is WhoSki.com. This is a peer-to-peer marketplace – like Vinted, but purely for winter and ski clothing. I love this one because you can also sell your old – but good quality – ski clothing. And every person viewing WhoSki.com is looking for ski clothing, meaning that the gear turns over quickly. You can find an entire outfit for about £50 per person!
Jen's Top Tip: Whatever clothing and equipment you end up taking, get your kids used to wearing it before you travel. Things like sunglasses, goggles, and snow boots. They are all alien to young children, and to avoid a meltdown on the ski slopes, get them familiar with their ski clothing.
Check out my family ski holiday packing checklists and top tips here, and also my go-to ski holiday packing tools.
7 Rent equipment ahead of time
Another important tip for a perfect family ski holiday is to rent your equipment ahead of time. This will save you time and money, as rental shops can get busy during peak season, and prices may be higher. You can also ensure that everyone in your family has the right equipment and that it fits properly. Many ski resorts offer equipment rental packages that include skis, boots, and poles, as well as helmets and other gear. Be sure to reserve your equipment in advance to avoid any last-minute stress.
Top Tips:
- When you book ski holidays with an accommodation provider, they often have discounted rates with ski rental companies and ski schools. So make sure to ask them if they have any preferred suppliers and rates.
- If you’re feeling super organised, you can also book for your ski rental equipment to be delivered to your chalet or apartment. This might cost you more but will save you peace of mind on your arrival day.
- See if your ski school also does rentals, as you can often bundle them together for increased discounts
- If you are staying in accommodation far away from the slopes, think about organising a ski locker near the slopes. Again, check with your ski school or equipment provider to see if they have a locker available.
Jen's Top Tip: Something you might not have considered: renting childcare equipment. In many ski resorts, you can now rent children’s buggies, sledges, baby carriers, high chairs, cots, etc. In La Plagne, we have AlleyOops La Plagne, who rent and deliver all this equipment to your door.
8 Book lift passes ahead of arrival
You might have noticed by now that the success of a family ski holiday is largely down to organizing as much as possible ahead of arrival! Because this is the same for ski lift passes as well. With most ski resorts, you can order them online or via your accommodation provider.
- Again, when you book your ski holiday accommodation, make sure to ask if there are any ski pass special offers. Accommodation suppliers often have access to rates not available to the public.
- Make sure you have the correct insurance attached to your ski passes. Your holiday travel insurance might cover skiing but do check. If you need to add extra insurance, you can add the Carte Neige when buying lift passes. It costs less than 3€ per day and covers you for any accidents or injuries on the slopes. Well worth the investment.
- Top tip: If you are heading to La Plagne and have lift passes from last season, you can jump online and recharge your lift passes. The lift passes will be automatically reactivated on the date you are in the resort. So there is no need to collect them from anywhere.
- Find out about family ski passes. For example, in La Plagne, family ski passes are available for groups of 4 plus people, 2 adults, and then 2+ children. However, you don’t have to be in an actual family group. Family ski passes in La Plagne could be 2 adults friends and a combination of children from within the ski group. Buying the cheapest lift passes can be confusing. So if you are skiing in La Plagne, read this thorough review of all La Plagne lift passes: La Plagne family lift passes, La Plagne and Paradiski lift passes, and other lift pass options available.
9 Ski schools and ski lessons
Whether you're a seasoned skier or a beginner, taking lessons can greatly improve your experience on the slopes. Ski instructors can teach you proper technique, help you build confidence, and show you the best runs for your skill level.
Many ski resorts offer group or private lessons for adults and children. So be sure to inquire about lesson options when you book your trip. Don’t be tempted to bundle your kids together in the same lesson group if they ski at different levels. Separate them out and let them enjoy lessons where they will be challenged at the right level.
If you have teens or older children in your group, make sure to enquire that as well as grouping together ski lesson groups by ability, they are also grouped by age. Your teens will be much happier if grouped with similar age groups and not with smaller children or adults.
And don't be afraid to take a refresher course even if you've skied before – it can help you avoid injury and make the most of your time on the mountain.
Jen's Top Tip: Booking lessons for everyone means that you can then dedicate time for the whole family to come back together and enjoy quality time skiing as a family. Our family recently enjoyed exploring La Plagne with Ski Quest, which is like a digital treasure hunt around the mountain. They have digital Ski Quests for 5 countries, covering lots of ski resorts. Check out my review of Ski Quest, La Plagne.
10 Dress appropriately
Dressing appropriately for a ski holiday is crucial for staying warm and comfortable on the slopes. Layering is key:
- Start with a moisture-wicking base layer
- Add a warm mid-layer
- Finish with a waterproof and breathable outer layer.
- Don't forget to wear a hat, gloves, and goggles or sunglasses to protect your head, hands, and eyes from the cold and sun.
- And make sure your ski boots fit properly and are comfortable – you don't want to spend your holiday with sore feet.
Jen's Top Tip: Make sure you dry everything out each evening so that it’s ready to go for tomorrow.
11 Plan your day for breaks & lunch
Ski holidays are for creating amazing family memories. But they can also be tiring – family ski holidays are not relaxing! I would recommend limiting the amount of ski time if you have young children. It might be tempting to ski from the first lift to last, but little ski legs simply cannot do it.
Dips in blood sugar are also responsible for ski slope meltdowns and tantrums – and don’t get me started on the ski kids! Avoid these ski breakdowns by having some favourite snacks and sweets with you on the slopes. My ski kids love Haribo and dried fruit and nuts if we are feeling healthy. Each time we get on a ski lift, we’ll all have one or two. I’ll often make it into a game with the kids, e.g. tell me the name of the chairlift, or tell me how to snowplough.
Pick your lunch spots ahead of time, and then you can frame your ski day around that area of the piste map. As a ski family, our days always go better if we have a plan before we leave our apartment. Book ahead to avoid any issues, especially in peak, busy ski weeks.
Jen's Top Tip: Check out my recommendations to know what to look for in family-friendly restaurants in ski resorts.
12 Make time for some non-skiing fun
Finally, ski holidays aren’t just about skiing! Take some time to enjoy the alpine lifestyle and explore your ski area. Here are some of the classic family-friendly non-skiing activities you should check out:
- Spa and swimming pools
- Husky Dog sledding
- Snowshoe and raquette trips
- Bowling
And for teenagers and those who love an adrenaline rush:
- Zip wires
- Bobsleigh – La Plagne only
- Nighttime super luge / extreme sledding
- Paraponting
- Ski-Doo
- Moon Bikes
A lot of these also make great activities if the weather isn’t great. If you’ve got heavy snow or even rain in the resort. But they will get very busy in poor weather, so book ahead.
That’s La Plagne & how to plan the perfect family ski holiday
Phew! What a lot of information to work through! But I hope it helps you plan the perfect family ski holiday. As you can see, a lot of your ski holiday success will come down to the preparation before you arrive. So if you have any questions and want to know more, drop me a message in the comments or find any of my socials @thatslaplagne on all the platforms.
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