SKIING is a fantastic way to spend a winter break with the family. It’s an opportunity to keep active, while surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Travel to the right resort, and you’ll even find a range of apres-ski activities that will keep everyone entertained even after they’ve come off the slopes.
Let’s take a look at a few of the ways you can get the best from your adventure on the mountains.
Selecting Family-Friendly Resorts
Different kinds of ski resorts will offer different kinds of experience. Some are packed with challenging red and black runs; others are a little more approachable. If you’re taking small children and complete beginners away on holiday, it’s vital that you choose a resort carefully. The availability of childcare, beginner slopes, and safety measures might allow you to enjoy the piste with peace of mind.
When it comes to family-friendly resorts, the French Alps tend to represent a gold standard. Val Thorens Ski Resort, for example, offers snowparks, a selection of beginner-friendly slopes, and access to the wider Three Valleys area.
Budgeting for Your Ski Holiday
A ski holiday can easily be a very expensive way to spend a week or so. If you don’t have control of your costs, then you’re unlikely to find the experience enjoyable – since you’ll be distracted by finance-related stress.
You can save costs in a number of ways. You might pick out an affordable package holiday, book your accommodation early, and book afternoon ski lessons rather than morning ones.
Keeping Kids Engaged and Happy
Ideally, your kids will be enjoying themselves so much on the slopes that they won’t want to come off. But in some cases, it’s worth taking a break from skiing to try other activities. Sledging, play in the snow, and excursions around the resort might all provide a way to give tired muscles a break. Many ski resorts even come with leisure centres so that you can take time away from the slopes in a swimming pool or even a sauna.
Ensuring Everyone Stays Safe
The easiest and most effective safety measure is wearing a well-fitting helmet. You should also make sure that you’ve wrapped up suitably for the weather, and that you have wrist protection beneath your gloves. This is particularly important for snowboarders, who might find themselves falling on their arms quite often.
Whatever safety measures you take, there will always exist a possibility that you’ll have to undergo medical treatment in an emergency. Make sure that you know where the medical facilities are, and that you can summon help in the event of an emergency. Also, make sure that you have an appropriate health insurance card.
You’ll need to be vigilant whenever you’re on the slope, but also once you come off it. It’s easy to let your guard down and fall over when you’re just coming up to the chalet.