Chalet Holidays for a Enjoyable Winter Break

With many British families choosing snow over sand and venturing to renowned ski destinations such as Obergurgl in Austria, Val Thorens in France and Champoluc in Italy, chalet holidays continue to be one of the most picked getaway options throughout Europe in the winter months. To help you get the best out of your ski holiday, here are a handful of tips for planning a successful trip with kids in mind.

1. Practice First

Taking your kids to a local indoor ski slope for a small practice session before you set off to your destination is a great idea. The kids will get so much more out of the real slopes if they already feel a degree of confidence on skis or a snowboard. The last thing you want is for them to end up not wanting to try the slopes.

2. Check the resort’s reputation

Make sure that the ski resort you decide to visit has a stellar reputation with regards to its activities and ski schools. You will be paying a good amount of money on the understanding that both you and your children will be provided with the utmost care and support out on the pistes, so experienced and friendly instructors are vital to your holiday enjoyment and skiing success.

3. Compare a resort’s slopes to your family’s capabilities

Finding the right resort and level of slope difficulty is vital: there is absolutely no point in choosing a resort whose slopes are far too advanced for a family trip. Keep in mind the capabilities of both you and your children and try to find a resort complex that offers something for everybody. Lech in Austria and Avoriaz in France have a good reputation for being family friendly.

4. Get insurance

The majority of chalet holidays go without a single problem or injury, but cover your bases and invest in a health insurance policy for your family. It will give you great peace of mind and although nobody likes to think about the possibility of one of their children getting injured, ski slopes can be a potentially dangerous environment if not advised by a qualified instructor.

Snow gear should be available to hire at the resorts, so be sure to check in advance what exactly you need to pack. All that’s left to do is put your skis on and get practising.

Image by Ski Leavenworth, used under the Creative Commons license.