Negotiating your way around a six-foot snowman whilst on skis is no mean feat but it’s one that our five-year old daughter fully embraced on our first family ski holiday in the Alps.
Basking in the spring sunshine she weaved her way around all manner of inflatables, from Christmas trees to Mickey Mouse. Her sister meanwhile, declared snow to be ‘too slidey’ and took a little longer to get into the swing. Such is the way with young children. Four years on though, and thankfully things are different.
A ski trip is a wonderful way to bond as family. Watching the kids’ first solo slide down the slopes is a guaranteed tear-jerker and then, as they grow older, following their fearless descents of blue, then red and even black runs is enough to make any mum or dad proud.
These days most resorts cater for children with nursery slopes and child-friendly ski schools but there are some that simply excel at doing it for the kids.
Hit the jackpot with a family-friendly resort and you’ll find magical pistes winding through forests where cartoon characters hide out, on-the-slope farms for petting goats and ponies and, if you’re lucky, even the Milka cow giving out free chocs as you ski past.
But with children in tow what goes on off the piste is just as important as what happens on it and activities that keep everyone entertained are as vital as a mountain and sufficient snow. So here is my guide to family skiing, including where to stay and how to keep the kids happy!