We get it; you want your kids to love the winter as much as you do! With that in mind, We've put together a list of tips to help make those first days on the slopes memorable and fun for the whole family!
Getting to The Slopes
Regardless of where you live, you should expect an hour plus in the car to get to the slopes. Weather, time of day and holiday traffic all play a role, so it's best to be fully prepared for a long trip in the car:
- Dress comfortably!
- Stock up on food and beverages!
- Bring entertainment
Choosing Where to Stay
- Choose a kid friendly hotel/resort
- Choosing a resort where the cater to kids will help your little ones have an enjoyable time with all of the activities offered: pool, hot tub, skating rink, snow tubing, etc.
- Stay at a ski-in ski-out accommodation
- Hitting the slopes is always a long and tiring day. So, avoiding the commute to the slopes will avoid having a cranky kid by the time you get to the skiing (which is the best part and why you came)!
Dress for Success: Layers are Key!
The essentials:
- Warm hat & Helmet
- Goggles
- Sunscreen!
- Waterproof gloves or mittens
- Waterproof and insulated ski jacket and ski pants
- A ski mask and/or balaclava
- Base layer and Socks- use wool blend, silk or synthetic technical fabrics that fit close to the body so they effectively wick moisture away from your skin
Be Realistic. Don’t plan on having the little ones on the snow from first chair to last chair. Even with plenty of breaks, they probably won’t spend more than a few hours on their skis.
Enroll Them in Lessons. After you’ve successfully introduced the fun of skiing or snowboarding to your little rippers, get them in a lesson! A good instructor will build on the foundation you’ve laid. This will also fee you up to tackle more terrain and challenging runs.