My husband is Norwegian.  I am very not.  He skied before he could walk.  I learned in my twenties.  But one thing was certain.  For these Texas transplants, we knew we wanted our kids to experience the pure joy of the winter sport that can be enjoyed whether you’re two or ninety two.  Seriously.  There is a woman in Winter Park who is 87 years old who packs her sandwich every day and hits the slopes.  It’s an activity that can be enjoyed by several generations at once, at their own pace.  It’s timeless and incredible exercise, and it’s freaking fun!!

But not all kids grew up used to putting on layer after layer and many don’t even see snow of that caliber until their first ski trip.  If you’re like most parents, you aren’t really that familiar with skiing yourself and are just trying to survive your own day.  So here are five general tips for not just surviving your ski trip with your kids, but having a magnificent trip you’ll all remember for a lifetime! 

1) Invest in Proper Ski Clothes

Nothing ruins a ski trip quite like being cold.  You’ve ponied up the cash for a ski trip, so don’t let the wrong clothes throw it all out the window! These days properly dressing doesn’t have to break the bank.  There are so many avenues for buying used kids’ items, from Facebook garage sale pages to neighborhood online networks to Ebay.  Unless you live in a ski town, most of the kids in your area wear their ski clothes on one ski trip for one or two seasons before outgrowing them.  If you’re trying to save some money,  I highly recommend investing in good, quality used ski clothes as opposed to new, poor quality ski clothes.  Try them on before you go to make sure your kiddo is comfortable.  A silly little itchy spot can send some sensory-sensitive kids into a tizzy, and it’s an easy fix when you have the time and resources before your trip.  For a complete guide on how to dress your kids and yourself for a successful ski trip, see my comprehensive post here.

2) Take Breaks, and Take them Often

Even the most fun adventure is a beating if you’re overly tired.  “Pushing through” can quickly become “pushing over the edge” for a tired little skier or cranky adult.  It’s just not worth it.  Allow your family to communicate when they need a break and honor that request.   Just twenty minutes by a fire with some water and a snack can save the rest of your day from disaster.

If you want to be more cost-aware, pack snacks in your pockets or a small backpack.  Many places along the mountain have yummy food for purchase, but it can be pricey.  Check out the signage and become acquainted with where “packed lunches” are welcome.  Every place will have free water somewhere, so make sure to drink a glass each opportunity you get.  Often people forget to hydrate because they’re not hot.

3) Get Good Sleep

Our family has experimented with leaving home at different times, driving up, flying in early, and flying in late.  I’ve concluded the small savings of arriving extremely late at the resort do not offset the exhaustion you’ll ultimately then experience for the first few days of your trip.   Sleeping in a higher elevation can make the first night of sleep less restful as your body adjusts, and the ski slopes open early.  Many open around 8:00 on weekends and 9:00 on weekdays.  Most close around 4 with some lifts closing as early as 2 or 3 in the afternoon.  To maximize your investment in a lift ticket, you’ll need to adjust your timetable accordingly. Much like pushing yourself during the day without breaks is counterproductive, there really isn’t much benefit to pushing yourself and staying up super late.  I suggest you enjoy your Apres Ski like the rest of the skiers starting around 4, eat dinner at a reasonable time, and go to sleep at a decent time.  If you can, stick to your same sleep schedule from home and only deviate fifteen minutes to a half hour each day.  Transition yourself into the time change gradually.

4) Know Your Child, and Plan Accordingly

Nobody knows your kids like you do.  In my experience, I’ve noticed if a kid tends to complain in sunshine, they will complain in snow.  If they’re endlessly cheerful in the sunshine, they’ll be endlessly cheerful in the snow.  Every person has their own personality and approaches new and sometimes challenging things with differing attitudes.  As obvious as it sounds, don’t expect your child to change DNA just because you change your latitude.

Does your child need more time to process change or approach new experiences?  Talk with them beforehand about what they can expect from the trip including ski school, different temperatures, and fun winter activities they get to explore.  Give them time to ask questions and look online with them at the resort’s website.  Let them feel involved in the process.  What works for you at home is exactly what you should plan to do on a ski trip.   Be flexible and grateful for time with your family, each member unique in their own way.

Know yourself, too.  Are you used to having a little alone time?  If being in a condo with all your crazies starts to feel cramped, accommodate yourself, too!  Make yourself some coffee before the rest of the family wakes up and read by the fireplace.  Or go for an early morning or late night walk on your own while the rest of the home stirs or settles in.  There is something so peaceful and magical about experiencing a ski resort during the quiet hours and then watching it come alive.

5) Diversify Your Trip

I joke with my husband and say he goes on “ski trips” and I go on “ski vacations.”  He could ski, ski, ski for two weeks straight.  But we both know that the key to ensuring skiing never feels like a chore is to diversify your trip.  Investigate your destination to see what other winter sports are available.  Most resorts have an ice skating rink, dog sled tours, tubing hills, snowmobiling tours, and smores by the fireplace.  They also often have live music on certain nights and planned kids’ activities in the evenings.  Winter Park, our most frequent ski destination, has free childcare one night a week where they have pizza and play games while the parents get some time alone!  As long as you bring back your receipt showing you’ve spent a certain threshold at the resort, the entire thing is free!

Don’t forget that people actually live there, too.  Each town has “normal” things that maybe you don’t get to do enough while at home.  Take advantage of those opportunities while on vacation!  Go see a movie, go bowling, or go go hang out at a playground.  The best thing about being on a ski vacation is spending time with family, so do what your family feels like doing!

I hope these tips help you have a successful ski trip!  Is there something you think is critical to ski trip success? If so, comment below! Happy Skiing! 

XOXO

Elisha