Tips and advice for a ski trip with young children: How to survive a family holiday to the snow
By Catherine Naylor
Kids can have a great time at the snow, but you need to know when to call it quits.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
"Bae Bear is not coming," my husband declared at the dinner table, the night before we drove our two children to the snow for the first time. The luggage was already piled up at the door, ready for the early morning exit, when our five-year-old daughter told us she would also be bringing her smiling, human-sized teddy bear.
My husband was already panicking about how all this stuff - the gear, the food, the hula hoops - would make it out of our boot and onto the Skitube train up to Perisher, without the addition of a much-loved, giant soft toy.
It was clear though who would win this argument. And so the next morning we set off for the six-hour journey from our home on the NSW south coast, with two children and one giant fluffy bear strapped into the back seat.
For weeks I had been planning this holiday, daunted at the prospect of all the gear I would need for a snow trip with two small children, and how to make it a success. Sitting up late at night in the weeks before our departure, one YouTube clip had made it all look possible - a zen-like mother with long blonde hair and all the latest gear tagged along behind her 18-month-old as he scooted down the slopes like a pro. They all finished the day with hot chocolates and big smiles at the bottom of the mountain. "Ski!" the little one declared, and I could just imagine my two-year-old son effusing all that cheruby joy.
"You want them to enjoy it," zen mother said. "Know when to stop. Don't go all day. Have snacks."
Perisher's creche would not be operating because of COVID and my son was too young for ski school, which takes children from age three. That meant it was going to be up to us to teach our toddler how to stay upright, if only so we could enjoy the snow a little bit ourselves.
Bloggers suggested using a hula hoop, to guide your child while encouraging them to take their own weight, and to invest in an Edgie Wedgie - an $18 piece of rubber with two clamps on the end, which you attach to the front of each ski to stop the skis crossing over.
The Skitube ride ended up being the highlight of our journey. My train-obsessed son loved it, as well as the over-snow transport to our hotel at the other end. My daughter could barely sit still as it ploughed up the mountain, she was that excited to see snow.
Our time on the slopes, however, was not quite YouTube-worthy. The few clips I managed to film might perhaps encourage other parents to try skiing with their children, if I were to edit out the unmistakable sound of a two-year-old wailing his way down the mountain.
But the day had its moments. The hula hoop worked a treat for my son, not so much for my daughter, who was too big and quickly popped hers open. The Edgie Wedgie was also a lifesaver for the littlest one, although they're clearly made for younger skiers - our daughter managed to snap hers, after just one run.
I loved sitting beside my toddler in the mid-morning sunshine at a picnic table, as he sucked on a lollipop and then insisted on walking down to the outdoor kiosk all by himself in his ski boots, to get me a lollipop too, so I could fully share in his happiness.
But it unravelled after that. We headed back to the chairlift and when my son's mitten came off for the 15th time, I gave up and didn't put it back on. Then my husband got tangled in the hula hoop at the ticket barriers, knocked our son over and skied over his finger. The tot didn't really stop crying after that. I should have listened to zen mother and known when to stop.
TIPS FOR SKIING WITH CHILDREN
Check the weather forecast [and dress appropriately]; The weather can change quickly in the mountains. Don't forget the sunscreen!
Try out your gear at home beforehand: A child's first time on the mountain is full of 'firsts' and is exciting but can be overwhelming. Ski boots, skis, gloves, goggles can all be very foreign to young children, so try it out at home to help them get used to the feeling of it.
Outsource teaching your kids to professionals; Trying to teach your own family can lead to tears and frustration in any environment. Remove yourself and the emotion from the situation and let trained ski pros take on that task.
Choose appropriate terrain; Upgrading terrain too quickly can lead to disaster, as well as creating bad technical habits. Minimum terrain but with increasing speed is the key to feeling safe and comfortable.
Start your day early and finish early; Getting up for first lifts means you get the best pick of the snow conditions. You'll also typically break before the lunch hour, giving your family more space to relax after a full morning on the snow
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.