That's La Plagne

Help! I’ve booked our family ski holiday, now what?

So, you've taken the plunge and booked your first family ski holiday – applause for the adventurous spirit! As a resident of a French ski resort and a self-proclaimed family ski expert, I've got your back. In this guide, I'll walk you through the essential steps to ensure your winter ski trip goes off without a hitch. From packing the right gear to finding the best ski school, I've got everything covered. Let's dive in!

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1. Gear Up

First things first, outfitting your family in the right gear is crucial for a successful ski adventure. From thermal layers to waterproof jackets, make sure everyone is snug and warm. Don't forget the extras like gloves, hats, and, of course, those all-important snow boots. A pro tip: check out local rental options to save both space and hassle. It’s often also way cheaper to rent ski gear in resort than to try to kit out your family in new ski gear, which lets be honest, kids are going to grow out of before next winter.

This article is a great start for how to dress for your first ski trip.

2. Book ski lessons

For those hitting the slopes for the first time, booking ski lessons is an absolute must. Look for certified instructors and age-appropriate classes to ensure everyone gains confidence on the snow. Whether it's the kiddos or the adults, mastering the basics will make the entire experience much more enjoyable.

Here, I dive into how to find the best ski school for your family ski trip. Check it out to ask yourself the right questions and get the best ski instructor.

3. Familiarise with ski resort layout

Get a lay of the land before you arrive. Familiarise yourself with the ski resort's layout,and figure out where the key things are like the ski slopes, rental shops, and après-ski spots. Most resorts provide online maps, so take advantage of them to plan your daily adventures efficiently.

A pro tip is to see if you can get your kids involved in this. My 2 boys love treasure hunts, so we will look at the piste map and pick out chairlift names or ski slopes to look for when we arrive at the ski resort. If this sounds like fun, you should check out Ski Quest, its a digital ski treasure hunt. We did this last Christmas when the grandparents were visiting and it made us head to completely different places in our home ski resort, La Plagne and we had a great time.

4. Plan family-friendly activities

While skiing will likely be the highlight, it's essential to have backup plans for downtime or non-skiers in the family. And remember, if you have little skiers with you and you expect them to ski all day, each day of a 6-day ski holiday, you are setting yourself up for disaster! It’s more exhausting than you may think!

Have a look at the non-skiing activities in resort and check out local attractions. There will be allsorts, from sleigh rides, outdoor swimming pools, parapenting, cosy mountain cafes and more. Having a mix of activities ensures everyone in the family has a memorable holiday.

A pro-tip from my family to yours is that you don’t need to plan and spend a fortune on lots of expensive après ski activities. If this is your first ski trip, then you will all find the snow magical! Trust me, my kids live here and they simply want to build snowmen, have snowball fights and make snow angels!

5. Pre-travel health check

Before you embark on your snowy escapade, schedule a pre-travel health check for the entire family. Confirm everyone's fitness levels and ensure that any necessary medications or medical needs are taken care of. It's better to be safe than sorry when hitting the slopes.

A few places for extra information when it comes to ski holidays and your family health and safety. If you have toddlers or babies, have a look at:

How to take babies safely on ski holidays
Ski holiday insurance, all your questions answered
Carte Neige insurance – what is is and what does it cover?

6. Pack Smart

It’s easy to say, but you need to both a) pack efficiently, and b) don't forget the essentials! One of the biggest tips I give to my friends and family is to look at what you are planning on packing and then put ½ of it back! Trust me, you will spend 80% of your time in either your ski gear or thermals and base layers – so treat yourself to some awesome layers, like the rainbow ones from OOSC!

Then, the essentials: this includes passports, travel insurance, and any necessary documents. Throw in some snacks for the journey and entertainment for the little ones. It's also a good idea to pack a small first aid kit for those minor bumps and bruises that come with learning to ski.

And to really help you out with this, check out my ski packing checklist, it has EVERYTHING you need to remember to pack, plus how many of each item you need for a week's ski trip. YOU’RE WELCOME!

7. Have a ski safety plan

Skiing with your kids is going to be a lot of fun – it’s one of my absolute favourite things to do! Having said that, kids are a law unto themselves and will shoot off in random directions, misunderstand directions and basically, run the risk of getting a little lost. Relax – it doesn’t have to be scary for them or for you. One of my top tips is to have some safety checks with the kids and you can talk about them before you head out on your trip. Things like meeting points, what to do if they do get lost, learning your phone number etc. Read this post about how to ski safely with your ski kids – it’ll reassure you and help you make a plan to keep those kids having a blast and skiing safely.

8. Get acquainted with local ski cuisine

There’s more to family ski holidays than just skiing – and most of it is food! Skiing works up quite the appetite, and experiencing the local cuisine is part of the adventure. It can be helpful to research restaurants in the area, especially if you’re travelling with kids. Again, see if you can get them involved in picking the lunch stops or hot chocolate breaks. And if you’re heading somewhere that the food is quite different to what your children are used to, see if you can try some of it at home before spending 20€ on menus they won’t eat.

Finally, don't be afraid to try traditional alpine dishes. Fondue, anyone? Even if your kids don’t eat much, they will have a lot of fun, you’ll get some fab family photos – and you can always order a side bowl of chips!

9. Check weather conditions

One of my favourite things to do is check the webcams to see what's happening in different areas of my home ski resort – and I live here! You can stay ahead of the game by checking weather conditions in the lead-up to your trip. And this will massively improve the efficiency of your packing – when the temperature over a winter ski season varies from -20C to +15C, you can imagine how you need very different layers and equipment to feel comfortable on the slopes.

10. Capture the memories

Last but certainly not least, capture the memories! You are heading off on a fab adventure with your favourite people. So, whether it's through photos or a travel journal, document your family's first-time ski holiday. These moments are precious, and looking back on them will bring a smile to your face for years to come.

If you’re a serial photo and video taker – like me! – then I would recommend investing in a leash or bungie for your phone so that you can use it safely on chairlifts and on the pistes. And am I speaking as someone who has dropped their phone off chairlifts and in the snow (several times…)? Maybe! Read this blog about how to keep your phone safe on the ski slopes.

That’s La Plagne and 10 things you need to do before going skiing

With these ten steps, you're well on your way to a memorable and stress-free family ski holiday. Embrace the adventure, laugh off the tumbles, and savor the moments with your loved ones. Your first-time ski holiday is bound to be an experience you'll cherish forever. Safe travels, and may your ski trip be snowy and smiles be plentiful!

See you on the slopes!