| For those of you planning your first ski holiday with | | | | check to see if there are any child discounts available |
| children, here are a few guidelines to help make your | | | | and if the hosts can provide an early "high tea" |
| lives and holiday as simple and hassle free as possible. | | | | option as kids are often exhausted after a day's |
| We have written this article in two parts - this first | | | | skiing. Also check if cots, high chairs and car seats |
| part covers finding a suitable family friendly ski resort | | | | are available if you are traveling with babies - it saves |
| and accommodation, and the second part covers ski | | | | a lot of hassle (and baggage allowance) if the chalet |
| school and lift passes. | | | | can supply cots and car seats. |
| Finding a suitable resort for your family ski holiday is | | | | Some chalets provide a more luxurious holiday with |
| important and the resort and accommodation you | | | | hot tubs, jacuzzis, massages and childcare to allow |
| choose can make or break your holiday. Many families | | | | you maximum relaxation time and some time away |
| find that once they discover a resort they are happy | | | | from your little darlings. |
| with they will return year on year to allow their | | | | Chalets and apartments can also be available on a |
| children to progress through the ski levels and be able | | | | self catered basis allowing you more flexibility to |
| to explore the familiar ski terrain as they grow in | | | | enjoy your holiday independently. It also allows you |
| confidence. | | | | to make your budget stretch a little further. Often |
| Accommodation in ski resorts can vary widely | | | | added services can be offered by your tour operator |
| depending on your budget. Many ski resorts offer a | | | | if you do require an element of hand holding or local |
| range of private chalets which offer a home from | | | | information to help you find how to get about the |
| home setting and are available to rent on a catered | | | | resort. Some packages may also include optional |
| or self catered basis. This type of accommodation is | | | | catering if you do fancy a night off. |
| great for ski holidays and provides a comfortable | | | | Hotels and larger tour operators can often provide |
| environment for you to relax together in the | | | | the perfect solution as holiday packages often come |
| evenings after a busy day on the slopes. | | | | with on site crèche facilities, children's |
| A standard catered chalet deal would normally include | | | | activities and entertainment and in house bars and |
| transfers to and from the airport, afternoon tea, pre | | | | restaurants, so all you holiday needs are catered for |
| dinner drinks and cute breakfast and evening meal | | | | under one roof. Check to see if the child care is |
| for 6 nights (the staff would normally have a night | | | | included or an added extra. |
| off) and transport to and from the slopes. The | | | | Once you have your resort and accommodation |
| benefits of this type of ski holiday allow you to | | | | arranged, the next important thing is to ensure you |
| enjoy your holiday without the hassle of buying and | | | | get the right tuition booked. This is covered in our |
| cooking food or finding your way around a new | | | | second article "Family ski holidays part two - Finding |
| resort, and it will also give you maximum time on the | | | | the best ski lessons". |
| slopes. When booking an all inclusive chalet holiday, | | | | |