Tips for Planning Your Family Ski Vacation

As summer fades into fall, it’s common for families to begin thinking about winter getaways. While lots of people fill their minds with beaches, pools and palm trees, others focus on the white powdery snow ideal for skiing and snowboarding. There are many families with children of all ages who prefer to vacation near the slopes during the winter months, and some kids even begin their skiing ventures as young as three years old.

Planning a ski vacation with the whole family in tow does not always come easy though. It means making sure there is something for everyone to enjoy during the trip, packing a variety of items for each member of the group and finding accommodations to comfortably fit everyone, among other logistics. If your family is one that has its eye on a snowy vacation this year, here are a few planning tips for you.

Pick a Spot for All Ski Levels

Depending on who is all coming along for the ride, you’ll want to choose a spot that caters to all types of ski levels – and this usually isn’t too hard to do. Most ski resorts have varying gradients, from the easy green runs to the challenging double black diamonds. Choosing a spot that has a mix will ensure everyone in the family can participate.

Plan Wisely Before Travel

Any type of vacation takes planning, but a family ski trip usually has more factors to think about. It’s important to plan wisely prior to departure to ensure there are little to no hiccups along the way. Purchasing ski passes ahead of time, securing transportation to and from the slopes and knowing your airline’s ski and snowboard policies are just a few ways you can do so.

Take a Lesson

Even if you’ve dabbled in winter sports in the past, taking a lesson is always a good idea – and it’s a must for first timers. You’ll learn the basics, gain confidence throughout the lesson and maybe even meet a friend or two. Those who have skied in the past will welcome the refresher course and will most likely be able to jump to the next level of slopes in no time.

Choose Comfortable Accommodations

You might be thinking the trip revolves around the slopes and comfortable accommodations aren’t necessary, but after a day or two on skis, your family will want a relaxing place to retreat to in the evenings – maybe even one with a spa on property. Here are a handful of the best hotels for skiers and snowboarders to book.

Incorporate Other Activities

Incorporating fun things to do outside of skiing and snowboarding is especially key if you have members of the family who aren’t extremely interested in these activities. One option is making sure other types of winter sports are available, such as snowshoeing, sledding or skating. Another idea is staying in an area that offers other types of entertainment – shopping, museums, local eateries, etc. Be sure to still plan time to do something altogether as a family too. Maybe this means a family game night at the hotel or enjoying a big breakfast together before everyone goes their separate ways.

About the Author

Codie Liermann is the managing editor of The Compass. She began her career in the industry as a travel advisor prior to working as an editor. With a passion for creating valuable content for travel advisors, she aims to develop meaningful relationships with all types of travel companies in order to share their unique messages with the travel agency community.