Thinking of Skiing with Kids, Read This!

[helenvanp]

Hi Ed folks.

I just wanted to tell the story of our first family ski trip and give some advice on where I think is the best place to learn to ski with kids. Three years ago (in march) we decided to go skiing, never having done so, with our 3 girls (twins age 4 and a 6 year old) After lots of research we chose Arinsal in Andorra and not liking any of the flight times available through the ski companies, booked directly to stay a week in The St Andreu aparthotel. Our choices were limited as finding and accommodation in Europe for five people on a budget is almost impossible.

We decided to fly to Barcelona which is 3.5 hours from Arinsal but we now know is well worth the extended transfer.

We arrived at the St Andreu to be met by Simon an Helenna (the owners) who had organised ski passes, ski hire, and within minutes were relaxing with a cold beer. So far so good!

They took us to the ski hire shop where the fiendly and unbelievably patient assistants fitted us with all the relevant ski kit. We were now ready to tackle the mountain.

The rooms were brilliant for families having a double/twin, another twin and the living room set up with a bed for our 6 year old. There was a fully equipped kitchen area so we planned to enjoy breakfast and dinner in the hotel and take sandwiches for lunch up the mountain. My advice is to book half board in advance because it is such good value for money compared to eating out but also we would bath the children as soon as we returned from a ski day and take them to dinner in their pj's, perfect!

I have to admit that the next morning was horrendous. We had three small girls, five sets of skis, helmets, boots, water, snacks etc etc to get down the road, and up the mountain to ski school by 9.30. I think we all ended up in tears. My only advice to get you through this day (and possibly the next) is to give yourself lots of time, take a huge holdall (you will be 'holdingall') and arm youself with Rescue Remedy or possibly something stronger! Getting three kids to the loo, up two flights of stairs in ski boots is the nearest thing to torture I have ever had to endure! I have still to master walking elegantly in ski boots! Does anyone?

We dropped the girls into ski school and hobbled over to our class, worried senseless about how they would cope....

They didn't, they cried intermittently all morning and begged not to go back in the afternoon (double session the first day!)

We asked ourselves 'what were we thinking' as we waved them off again in floods of tears.

We fortunately had the sense to hire a locker on the mountain, a fantastic investment, as it meant we could ditch all the ski gear at the end of the day and jump in the gondola down to the village unencumbered. This was heaven, as was the dinner back at the St Andreu that evening and as you can imagine we slept like babies that night.

The next day was marginally better, thanks to the ski gear already being on the mountain but there was still no avoiding those last minute toilet trips with three bladder challenged girls!

On the way down in the gondola at the end of that second day the girls were in tears again, they were tired, cold (read snotty) and wanted to go home (or to a sunny beach, in keeping with previous holiday experiences)

Once again we soothed ourselves with a cold beer and hot dinner back at the hotel (the food was becoming the highlight of our trip contrary to the common knowledge that ski food is terrible.)

Simon took in our bedraggled state and defeated faces and told us it would all come right the next day and that by the end of the week we'd be doing red runs. We laughed, of course.

Amazingly though he was right, it did all come together the next day and we actually started to enjoy ourselves. As the week went on we fell into a kind of routine. Ski school in the morning, lunch outside a mountain cafe, then taking it in turns to try out the magic carpet (a kind of uphill ski travellator) with one of the girls while the others coloured pictures and watched the skiers from outside the ski cafe. A beer during the 4pm happy hour and things were beginning to look up! We even had a gruelling method of hauling one of the kids up the hill on skis and letting them go to be caught at the bottom by the other, great for shifting those unwanted pounds, and endless amusement for the advanced skiiers watching!

By the end of the week we were all in tears aggain, this time because we had to go home and we were enjoying the best family holiday we had ever had. We were indeed taking the girls up on a ski lift (not mentioning the time I dropped one of the twins off one,) and doing gentle blue runs and I was extremely proud to say I did my first red run at the end of my last day (so was my best friend in Oz who I texted at the bottom)

We discovered a fantastic bar calles Quo Vadis, on the way back up to the hotel ('it breaks up the journey' we tell ourselves when we stop there each day for a post ski beer) They love kids (unlike most UK pubs) and the best bit is that they employ a camera man on the mountain each morning. So you get to watch yourself on that first wobbly slide/skid/fall and everyone else in in the pub can have a laugh at your expense. Brilliant! If you see their tout at the bottom of the gondola get a stamp for a free drink, still minding that budget.

We have since been back to the St Andreu two more times, each with a larger number of friends and we all agree as skiing goes, it's heaven on earth. This year we heard reports from Europe of 'NO SNOW' and we were worried. No such problem in Arinsal as the snow cannons fire out fresh powder all night to greet you in the morning. We skiied all day every day in all three ski areas, Arinsal, Pal (via cable car) and Arcalis (30 minute drive away and organised by the hotel) All three ares are covered by your ski pass and make it a varied and exciting week skiing for all abilities. We particularly enjoy a day in Pal and try to save it for the last day, which this year was a belter, blue skies and hardly anyone else in sight.

If you are thinking of taking your family on your first ski trip I can highly reccommend Andorra and in particular Arinsal. The ski instructors are the same every year and are second to none. We now only book a few private lessons for both ourselves and the girls to iron out any bad habbits and spur us on. The rest of the time we all ski together, and are frequently overtaken by our girls shouting 'hello Mummy' as they pass us on a red run!

Coffee on the mountain is around ?1.50, chips ?2.50 and a beer ?2.50, times that by at least three if you are going to France to ski!

This year we managed to get booked on the wrong bus back to Barcelona which would have meant missing our flights. Helenna swung into action and while we munched on hot croissants arranged for her brother to take us (a 7 hour round trip) That's why we keep returning each year and why we might never make it to France for a ski trip.

I hope this has been an informative account of my family's ski experiences and anyone trying it for the first time this year has a fantastic time ... HAPPY SKIING!

Here are some tips for a stress free ski trip with kids.

-Take a huge holdall for that first day hauling the kit up the mounain

-Pay for a locker on the mountain, you won't regret it.

-I find my kids are best with and M and S cotton thermal vest, then a long sleeved T, then a fleece plus ski jacket.

-I dont like mine to wear braces on their salopettes as it means taking off the jacket at wee stops.

-Mine all take a lightweight backpack for water and to put their fleece in if they're hot. I know it's lovely not to wear a backpack but if not you will end up carrying 3 litres of water and five fleeces by lunchtime.

-I pack lots of high energy snacks like dried fruit and nuts, musli bars as they are better grazing to keep their energy up than having a huge lunch (then indigestion)

-I always pack a few cploured pencils and paper for rest and beer time, it keeps them occupied while you relax.

-get all prepared and lunches made for the next day the night before as getting to ski school for 9.30 is no easy task.

-Just before putting the kids ski boots on take them to the loo (see above)

Feel free to add your own tips but these are just a few that have helped us in the past.

Web address for the Aparthotel St Andreu is www.st-andreu.com

I should probably add that the cost for the trip including flights, transfers, ski passes, full hire, half board at the hotel is around ?500 per person... bargain!

[ClaireClaire]

Wow, so much info - thank you

Do they have a creche for babies, do you know?

And what is it like for snowboarders?

I'll check their website

thanks

C

[RinkyDink]

Looking forward to hearing what you get up to on your Summer hols. Please keep us posted!

[curlykaren]

I used to ski in Andorra, it really is briliant, glad you enjoyed it and will be keeping this info until my son is old enough to go. Watching the kiddies skiing without poles is sooo cute, their low centre of gravity makes them stick to the mountain. Your kids will def thankyou for the opportunity of learning to ski x

[pebbles]

What age would you recommend that kids start? My husband and I both are very keen to learn how to ski however want to wait until we can take both kids and for them to learn as well?

I'll keep this saved until that day :)

[ClareC]

3 1/2 is a good age to start, although they are not strong enough to ski all day this young.

[Ann]

I've never skied in Andorra but I think Helen's post has some excellent guidance for those of you with very young families. I felt her pain when she described the five of them struggling to get to ski school with five sets of skis three of which belonged to three small girls!

As others have said 3 to 4 seems to be the age that most continentals start; they have the luxury of no flights, no car hire so can generally afford it more easily than most of us in the UK as they can drive to the resort.

We first went when our children were 9 and 11, comparitively late but both took to it like ducks to water. I'm still completely useless in comparison. We've managed a week each year since except one and will be going again this half term ( children now 17 and 15). No need for ski school these days , get up when you want. ski when you want.

My children LOVE skiing and I'm so glad we've given them that opportunity that neither me or my husband had.

The real reason why I'm posting is because it's not always as expensive as you think.

We like the resort of Livigno in the Italian Alps close to the Swiss border. We usually fly with Ryan Air to Bergamo, Milan, hire a car and a self contained apartment none of which are expensive. I thinks our two bed apartment this year is about 800 euros for seven night February half term, absolute peak season!

Food and drink are very reasonable; amazing Pizza's for 8 or 9 euros. Bar prices on a par with East Dulwich. In other words you can afford a family meal out without dreading the bill!

Livigno is a short drive to the hugely popular hugely expensive Swiss resorts Davos and Klosters , same skiing at a quarter of the price(Livigno that is.) The Italian ski instructors are lovely and very child friendly.

Not suggesting our holiday choice is in any way better that Helenvanp's . She has made a huge effort to share her experience and I thought her post was excellent. I just wanted to include an alternative.

Well done you. You made a huge effort for your girls and in my experience, they'll be forever grateful. If your going this year have a great trip.

Added for Claireclaire, the skateboarding in Livigno is excellent and they've got some impressive snowparks as well.

Added agai to say I'm fairly sure there are creche facilities but not sure from what age.

[helenvanp]

Hi there, sorry for thr delay. Yes there is a 'ski garden' which is the creche for 6 month to five year olds. The two and overs do some skiing in there and the little ones play and do arty stuff.

My friends who came with us for the last two years are advanced snowboarders and love the resort. There is plenty to keep all abilities happy with the three ski areas. Might see you there next year (though husband and I are planning a sneaky 5 day trip there in March, sans enfants, a great time to go as they usually have a late dump of snow then )

[helenvanp]

Morrocco!!! A week in Essouria, a week in Ouileda and one night in Marakesh. Any tips?

[helenvanp]

I would advise waiting till they are steady on their feet because if you haven't skiied before then you won't be! Saying that this year we saw a little toddler coming down the mountain with his parents and he looked so cute, we all went 'aah.' Good luck and happy skiing!

[candj]

We did this last October half term with our two (almost 6 and 3 and a bit at the time) and me being 7 months preg.

We spent 4 days in Marrakech and 5 in essouria then 2 back in Marrakech. Absolutely lovely and everyone was so friendly with the children. Essouria was really relaxing but very rural and it was lovely going to the deserted beach to collect sea shells. The place we stayed was very chilled with great food that my children gobbled up but might be more difficult for pickier eaters. In Marrakech a lot of restaurants have pasta on the menu. Frenetic city though and even in the medina where no cars are allowed you have to be careful with kids because the scooters are everywhere. The souk is great and the large square with its monkeys and snakes is a sight to behold. My children loved the markets with the chameleons which they were allowed to hold. Let me know if you want the names of the places we stayed (think they were both no 1 on trip advisor). Highly recommended and parents had a great time too!

Wrote:

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> Morrocco!!! A week in Essouria, a week in Ouileda

> and one night in Marakesh. Any tips?

[new mother]

What an amazing post Helen and thank you so much for taking the time to set it all out. THere will be plenty for lots of us to learn from your experience. We would love to go when the girls are slightly older but I am nervous of the 5 sets of equipment issue you described. Had not considered Andorra but will certainly look into it now. THank you!

[prdarling]

Great post Helen. Been thinking about skiing next year when my two will be 6 and 4, but didn't have a clue where to start. Now I do.

Thanks so much for all the brilliant detail

[helenvanp]

Thanks for the Morocco tips. Will take particular note of the mopeds. We have already booked our accommodation but from your post I think I know the place you stayed and we almost went there too. Is it a funky place with a pool and an animal sanctuary nearby?

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time and commented on my ski post. I so wish there had been a do's and don'ts of skiing with kids available before i went for the first time.

Even after all the above i would urge any family with kids to give skiing a go. The younger they begin the easier they find it, so long as they are steady walkers they should be fine. The ski garden is fantastic for the little ones because they only have to ski if they want to, if not they throw snowballs or stay warm and dry inside. I wish I had put mine into ski garden that first year rather than ski school, which is much tougher for little beginners.

Oh and one last thing. I know all schools differ but ours is quite happy to give permission for time off during term time for a ski trip. This is so much cheaper than in the holidays so check with your school before you book.

Roll on next year!