THE SKI CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN FACTSHEET

* Italics: Affiliated companies that offer Ski Club members a discount. Call the Ski Club's information department for more information

Where to go, how to go, which companies to go with and what to take when skiing with children are all questions that parents may well ask. Here we try to answer all of the worries you may have when considering taking the little ones on the piste!

Where to go

The most important consideration is finding a "child friendly" resort. These should have short transfer times, be not too far from the lifts and good nursery slopes. Car free resorts are obviously a safer bet. Here are a few resorts, with the youngest age taken at ski schools indicated in brackets, and a rating where * is the lowest and **** is the most recommended. (NB: where there are 2 numbers the 1st is for non-ski kindergarten and the 2nd for ski-school)

Austria

Alpbach**(3), Kitzbuhel***(3), Mayrhofen****(3mths,2), Niederau***(2,4), Obergurgl**(3), Obertauern**(3), Saalbach-Hinterglemm***(2.5,4), St Johann-in-Tirol****(1), Schladming****(3,4)

France

Alpe d'Huez**(6mths,3), Les Arcs***(4mths,3), Avoriaz***(3mths,3), LaClusaz***, Les DeuxAlpes***(6mths,4), Courchevel****(18mths,3), Flaine****(6mths,3), Les Gets***(3mths), Megeve****(12mths,3), Morzine**** (2mths,3), La Plagne*** (3mths), Valmorel**** (6mths,3), Vaujany**** (3mths,3)

Switzerland

Arosa**** (4), Grindelwald**** (3), Lenzerheide/Valbella*** (from birth), Murren**** (2,4), Saas Fee***(2.5,4), Villars***(3), Wengen***(3 up)

Andorra

Soldeu*** (3 up)

Sweden

Are **** (3 )

Norway

Geilo **** (3 mths, 3)

USA

Aspen*** (12mths,3), Beaver Creek***(2mths,3), Breckenbridge**** (2mths,3), Copper Mountain**** (2mths,3), Keystone*** (2mths,4), Mammoth**(birth,4) Smuggler's Notch*****(6wks), Vail****(2mths,3)

Canada

Lake Louise***(3wks,3), Mont Tremblant**(3 up), Whistler**(18mths,3).

Italy

Selva Gardena***(1,4).

When to go

Obviously there are going to be restrictions if the children are in school. Late in the season avoids the very cold weather especially for younger children. Try to avoid the last two weeks in February as the resorts become very busy because of the European half term school holidays.

Travel Arrangements

Try to keep the transfer time from the airport as short as possible. Alternatively the Snowtrain can be fun with children who are a bit older but there is no food on board so take a picnic and drink. The biggest advantage of the Snowtrain is you leave Britain on Friday night and arrive in the resort on Saturday morning. On the return journey, the train leaves on the Saturday night so you get an extra 2 days skiing. Unless the children are older, don't consider driving unless you make a lot of stops on the way.

Accommodation

Chalets and apartments are best. Either take over a whole chalet or choose one that is advertised as a family chalet. Apartments are cheaper but not as convenient, and someone still has to do the cooking. Resort supermarkets can be expensive, too. There are a number of specialist family hotels - Ski Thomson offer them in several resorts.

Clothing and Sunscreens

Helmets are strongly recommended for children. Remember that goggles should be big enough to fit over the helmet. A one-piece ski suit is the most convenient but at least with a two piece the child can wear the jacket at other times. Mittens or gloves should always be worn and hats most of the time. A vest and cotton polo neck underneath should be sufficient except on very cold days and thick tights may be needed. Sunglasses or goggles and suncream should be worn even on cloudy days. Make sure the children have access to drinks - altitude is dehydrating.

Buying or Hiring

Sometimes it is better to hire than buy. Try your local ski shop first, but the following companies all hire kit:

LONDON

Mountain Bike & Ski Company (Victoria) -
Ski 3 Up (Surrey) 15% discount -
Ski 47 (Fulham Rd, Putney end) -
Ski Occasions 15% discount -
Ski Rental Shop (Gatwick) -
Ski Togs 20% discount -
Gillian Levy (second hand ski clothing) -
Ski Market (second hand ski clothing) -

LEICESTERSHIRE

Dave Noble Windsurfing (sell/rent ski clothes & equip) -

BOLTON

Rivington Ski Services -

LEEDS

Severn Sports/Boardworx -

TAMWORTH

Ski Force -

BRIGHTON

Eurosport Ltd 20% discount -

ALSO:

Neilson Ski have just launched a ski clothing hire service. If you are booking a Neilson holiday you can pre-book clothing at the same time. Otherwise call the clothing rental hotline on . The service includes delivery to and collection from your home.

You are also able to purchase a starter pack for Ј29.95 which includes ski goggles, sunscreen, 2 pairs of ski socks and a lift pass holder. Fantastic!

Ski Schools and Creches

The biggest problem with ski schools can be the language. If you find that the Ski School instructor doesn't speak much English, you do have the right to ask that your child be transferred to another class. Make sure you check the times. Unfortunately, the children's Ski School times might not coincide with your own lesson so you may have to be late for a class or leave early. In some places they will organise children’s lunches which is great for you but again, make sure you know. Most places should have indoor recreation if the weather turns bad. Some UK tour operators have now set up ski schools purely for British children and these are well worth considering, eg. Ski Esprit and Simply Ski,

The other option is to take an English nanny with you. "Family Match" tel: can provide this service for around Ј150 - 250 a week.

Tour Operators

Note: The Ski Club of Great Britain also offer family holidays where the children are looked after by party leaders leaving the parents to ski at their will! For more information telephone Holidays on .

There are many child-friendly operators:

*Airtours
Club Med
*Collineige
*Crystal
*Inghams
*Mark Warner
*Meriski
*Neilson Ski
Powder Byrne
Silver Ski
*Simply Ski
*Ski Beat
Ski Club Family Holidays
*Ski Esprit
*Ski Famille
*Ski Hillwood
*Ski Olympic
*Ski Peak
Ski Scott Dunn
*SkiWorld
Snowbizz Vacances
*Snowline Holidays
The Ski Company
*Thomson Ski (are offering a free Carrera Ski Helmet to children who have pre booked skis/boots with a family booking)

Other Sources of Information

Videos

“No More Tears” Ј19.95

The travelling family’s winter bible “No More Tears” will give you all the advice and information you need to get your family happily on the slopes. Presented by Peter Hart and filmed in Geilo, this Ski Club-Neilson video, sponsored by Chewits will answer all you family’s skiing questions. With sections on how kids actually learn, to the pros and cons of skiing or boarding this highly informative, often amusing video is an essential resource for all families heading for the white stuff.

We hope this helps you in your planning of your family holiday, and if you have any more questions call our Information Line on .