How to Find the Best Family Ski Resorts
– In New Zealand and Beyond

You have picked up the ski brochures, searched the internet high and low for the best family ski resorts.

When you close your eyes, you can see yourself in that smart red ski suit, skiing down the moutain in glorious sunshine... having fun with your kids.

You are so ready to book that family ski vacation – right now!

There is no doubt that family ski vacations are amazing.

There is the stunning scenery, fantastic chalet on the mountain, the charming ski village...

And the amazing ski discounts you can get by booking – you guessed it – right now!

It is so easy to get carried away with all the marketing hype. Easy to forget to check that the best ski resort actually meets the needs of your family.

Tips on how to find the best family ski resorts:

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Get Booked Out Quickly
The best ski resorts get booked out very quickly, especially during school holidays and public holidays, so it is important to plan ahead and book as early as possible. Research the internet for the best ski vacation deals and contact the family ski resorts, that you are most interested in. They often offer great deals too.

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Have Short Travelling Time
For many families the reality is that they would have to travel by plane to get to their preferred family ski resort. If you travel with young children, it is therefore important to consider the length of the flight and the transfer time from the airport to the ski resort, as these vary significantly. Make sure you prepare snacks and sandwiches for the trip and look into car seats for your children as well. A small bus from the airport may be a great option.

Always consider choosing a local ski resort wherever possible, as it will lower the overall travelling time and you can travel by car. Definitely the preferred option if you are travelling with three children under the age of ten!

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Are Right for Your Family
The key to a great skiing vacation is to consider the abilities and needs of every family member. You may have a baby who needs childcare facilities or teenagers who get bored easily and will need lots of non-skiing activities to keep them entertained.

If you are travelling with small children it is also important to look for designated child friendly ski areas and outdoor play areas. Not to mention travel cots, high chairs, baby baths and bottle sterilising facilities.

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Have a Range of Runs
Consider the level of skiing ability of all the family members. There is no point in choosing a ski resort with many difficult slopes if beginner slopes are required. Make sure the resort offers easy access to the slopes. Young children get tired very quickly so the last thing you want is a long walk with your kids in their ski boots.

In most families a few family members would have to attend ski classes and/or stay on the green and blue runs. So have a quick look at the different ski resorts’ trail maps, as these will tell you how they rate.

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Have Great Childcare Facilities on Site
Make sure you include childcare needs in your plans and that the ski resort has facilities to cover these.

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Have Ski Schools
Investigate whether the ski resort has ski classes for children of all ages and abilities and whether the ski instructors are trained in teaching kids to ski - and if they speak English.

There is a lot to be said for learning a new skill in your own language and it will also make it easier – and more fun – for your child to interact with the ski instructor and the other kids in the class.

The quality of a ski school is a big deal for most families, so check out the rates, the qualifications of the instructors, the class sizes and duration.

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Offer Other Activities
Make sure the ski resort offers other child friendly activities such as bowling, ice-skating or toboganning (sledging) – or bring your own apres-ski family fun such as games and puzzles. After all your vacation is not only about skiing, it is about having fun with your family too.

So consider picking a holiday location with shops, beautiful walks, a café or something else other than skiing – perhaps with a nice playground for the younger family members!

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Have Suitable Accommodation
Consider the location of your accommodation in relation to the slopes, ski school, village centre, restaurants, childcare facility and apres-ski fun. A compact ski resort is likely to be better if you have young children. You may even wish to consider paying a premium for your accommodation to be central and to avoid travelling with tired children on a shuttle bus to and from the ski resort.

There are a number of accommodation options from chalets and hotels to motels and ski lodges. Consider carefully the requirements of your family, for instance, an apartment where you can cook and put the kids to bed early in their own room may be an ideal option for you.

The Best Family Ski Resorts – Have Family Friendly Restaurants
Make sure that there are suitable family restaurants in the area where you are staying, especially if you know that you do not wish to cook your own meals during the holiday.

Last but not least make sure you organise the appropriate travel insurance that covers the whole family, including your kids.

The right ski equipment is equally important so do read our kids ski clothes and kids ski equipment articles.

We would love to hear about your ski experiences and your tips on how to find the best family ski resorts, as this may help other families.

So please contact us with your family ski vacation stories.

Interested in learning more about New Zealand ski vacations? Then click here.

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