| Though lots of fun
and very rewarding, skiing with children means you have so much
more to organise before you take to the slopes.
Sometimes taking the kids can seem more like a military
operation than a family holiday. In addition to flights, accommodation,
insurance, ski hire and lift passes, you need to consider going
to a child-friendly resort and whether the kids should attend ski
school, as well as the availability of childcare facilities and
aprés-ski activities.
When to go is another important factor, as prices
rise and slopes become crowded during school holidays.
Tour operators
Tour operators endeavour to take much of the strain
away, by ensuring packages cover every aspect of a ski holiday with
children.
Most tour operators that specialise in skiing with
children have a range of childcare options. Some are as follows:
Some have deals on family holidays or single parent
discounts, and/or discounted child places, lift passes and equipment
hire.
DIY holidays
Arranging your own flights, accommodation and childcare
gives you more flexibility and can work out cheaper, especially
if you are able to avoid peak weeks. However, this type of holiday
lacks the consumer protection that comes automatically with a package
holiday.
Low-cost airlines are increasing their routes and
number of flights to airports serving ski resorts, so more people
are opting to organise the individual components of their skiing
holiday. Consequently, child-care facilities, ski schools and child-friendly
chalets are now abundant in Europe and North America.
The following companies offer childcare in the French
Alps, for example:
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