Skiing Trip

[EllieJP]

I'm looking at going away with my little family of 3 on a skiing trip, I've NEVER been skiing before, and I'm dubious, but my 4 year old has been playing a snowboarding/skiing game with his uncle and now can't stop thinking about it! I'm planning on going to one of the fake slopes to try it out with him before I commit, but can anyone recommend a package ski holiday company? Who deals specifically with beginners? Who'll tell me what essentials I'll need to take on a skiing trip! Any advice is welcome!

[Cloverjo]

I can't recommend a ski package holiday, having never skied on snow, but I would say it might be an idea to have a couple of lessons, at least, on a dry ski slope. It's much more difficult than it looks. Your littleun might take to it easily, or he might find it frustratingly difficult. My son was 5 when he first tried and kept treading on his skis, leading to tears all round.

[Kathyan]

My husband was posted to Canada when my daughter was ten and we went skiing. She took to it like a duck to water, so much so that the instructor asked where she had had lessons before! Some do, some don't take to it, so try a dry slope first before spending a lot of money.

[mikey4444]

Any of the major ski companies will welcome beginners.

I first learnt to ski over 40 years on a dry slope and because I did, I always said that I avoided spending most of the week on my bum !

[mushroom25]

Some good info in the answers above – any of the top ski tour operators (inghams, crystal, etc) will do you a “learn to ski” package that’ll include ski equipment hire, ski lessons, lift pass, insurance and half board accommodation. There are some resorts that are more beginner friendly, (eg Alpe D’Huez and Flaine in France, Arinsal-Pal in Andorra, obergurgl in Austria, etc) but most resorts anywhere will have slopes of all grades. In terms of customer service, north America will give you the best learning experience and snow conditions, at the expense of a long journey and jet-lag. Of the traditional ski countries, you’ll probably get more skiing for your euros in austria, whereas switzerland can be frighteningly expensive. Best bet though – go see your high street travel agent for some more advice.

Having lessons beforehand is a good idea – the ski school at the resort will assume you’ve never skied before to start with, but if you have, you’ll get moved up the class fairly quickly. And it’s worth it – if you can – to have at least some of your lessons at one of the real snow slopes in this country; these are at Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes, Castleford, Manchester and Tamworth. “dry slope” is a bit of a misnomer; they hose them to make the surface run better, which means (until you learn not to fall over) that you get very very wet.

4 is a great age to learn to ski – a kiddie’s centre of gravity is so low that they soon learn to stay upright in virtually any conditions and they whizz past the grown up beginners in no time…..

[EllieJP]

Thanks! We're going to the slope in Manchester at the weekend! Also, what kind of clothing will we need? I understand it's going to be cold but I don't want anything restricting! Thank you :)

[mushroom25]

Look out for Aldi's special ski event in the autumn - you'll find thermals, polonecks, jackets, trousers, gloves, etc. It can be cold, but you'll get nice days too. Layering works for me, but I don't mind carrying a day sack.