Making the most of your family ski trip
When dreaming of the annual family ski trip, we think of bonding experiences and big adventures on the mountain. But there can be a catch, ski holidays don't always go as planned - especially with kids and teens in the mix, there are lots of variables that can derail the fun.
Read on to find our best tips to make the most of your family ski vacation and keep the stoke levels high so that all family members are excited to book the next trip!
Credit: Mission Snow Jackets by Namuk Kidswear
Phone a friend: team up with another family
Do you know a couple with children around the same age and ability as your kids? Book your ski holidays in the same resort, or even team up to rent a chalet. If you prefer your own space, consider organising a few days of cross over, or perhaps meeting up with the family for a ski day – this can change the whole dynamic and be a LOT of fun.
When the kids are older, get them to invite a friend to join your family vacation. Of course this is another child to care for, but seeing your child happily enjoying time with an adventure buddy of their choice is absolutely worth it.
The best kids clothing for skiing and snowboarding
Ensuring everyone is warm and dry is essential for a happy day on the mountain. Here are our top recommendations for the best ski clothing for children:
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Rent ski suits for younger children - these are a great outerwear choice to keep the snow out (or jackets & pants which zip together)
- Choose outerwear that is waterproof, windproof, breathable, and a little insulated
- Choose a jacket or helmet in a distinctive and bright colour, ensures your child is easy to find on the mountain
- Take a spare pair of dry gloves for each child
Here at Cirkel Supply, we rent ski clothing for all ages. Our premium ski clothing rental service allows you to rent winter jackets, ski jackets, ski pants, ski suits, midlayers, gloves and accessories from brands like Patagonia, Namuk and Picture.
Rent ski clothes for the whole family in advance of your trip on our website so that your outfits are waiting for you as you arrive. If you’re not sure what to rent, view our packing checklist for family ski holiday here.
Ski lessons - call in the experts
We highly recommend that you book kids ski lessons if your child is excited to build on their technical skills. Even if you’re a hotshot skier, you simply can’t compete with a professional ski instructor.
Of course, instructors are technically sound, but their cool-factor is also a huge advantage - your child will get a lot more benefits being coached by someone they deeply admire. Choosing group ski lessons means that your child will have a whale of a time making new friends.
Credit: Namuk kidswear
With all that said, be sure to get out on the slopes as a family. When you’re out together, don’t push the kids too much – let them discover the mountains at their own speed and in their own way. If they’re not excited to ski on one of your vacation days, try sledging, building a snowman or suggest a family ‘swaps day’ where all the skiers try snowboarding, and vice versa. The “swaps day” can be a great leveller where all family members discover (or rediscover) the joy of learning.
Book everything in advance
Plan ahead to make life easy! Avoid ski rental store queues by booking your skis, boots, and snowboards in advance. Booking in advance can also help you to score discounted ski hire. Especially when you have younger children, we recommend you find an operator offering ski rental near the ski lift station. This means the littlest legs save their energy for the slopes.
As introduced above, renting skiwear with Cirkel means that you can pack light and receive your family’s rental order at your lodging, making the journey a lot easier.
If you need restaurant bookings for lunch on the mountain or for dinner in the evenings, booking these in advance means that you can glide straight into your table, and avoid managing hungry kids while waiting to be seated. Book these before you travel – the best restaurants in ski resorts are often booked out during peak holiday season.
That said, don’t fall into the common trope of over-scheduling your holiday - your family also needs to rest, so be sure to pencil in downtime and some room for spontaneity.
Snacks are lifesavers!
The best advice we have for avoiding tantrums on the mountain is to bring snacks. We called in local riders and our official snack experts - Vind and Knox - to discover their favourite high alpine snacks.
- Vind - dried mango, chocolate
- Knox - white chocolate, paprika crisps, fizzy water
Go forth and make the most of your family ski trip
That’s a wrap on our tips to make the most of your family ski trip - if you discover more ways to fly the fun flag on your vacation, share it on Instagram and tag us: @cirkelsupply
Wishing you the trip of a lifetime!
