Winter is here, and what better way to enjoy the season than a family trip to the snow? For some, especially families with young children, the enthusiasm is often clouded with doubts such as "how can we have a good time?".

Look no further -  here are some great tips for a family trip to the snow!

Ski School - why?
Much more fun than real school, ski school will teach children how to ski or snowboard and give you some time out to hit the big slopes (or just the spa!). The instructors will put your children in classes according to age and skill and they will be given all the safety equipment, such as helmets for first timers. Classes can run for a few hours on one single day, but it is probably better to keep the consistency and momentum going and have the children booked in for at least two to three days.

Do the children know the rules? As with all other activities, there are rules to follow! 
Children should be aware that they need to look out for other skiers, ski on a slope that is within their ability, not wander off into the snow and how to get on and off the ski lifts safely. As always, children should be supervised by an adult at all times. It is wise to have a meeting point so if you lose someone or get separated or you and your partner take different children on different slopes, you can all meet back in the one spot easily – there is no guarantee that you will have mobile coverage, battery life or that you will hear your phone.

What to wear - Be prepared!
The weather on the slopes can change very quickly and varies from skiing in the height of winter, to the end of the season in spring. Make sure you and the children are layered up including thermal underwear. Wool is a good choice for keeping warm and dry, as is fleece and in spring, you may even be able to ski with a t-shirt under your suit, especially if you find you’re always on the go.

Ensure the outer layers are waterproof. Sunglasses and goggles are important in the snow to avoid glare damage to the eyes. Most important are items such as gloves/mittens, and thick woolly socks. Warm hats or thick head bands are a must and consider using a helmet for your children if they are skiing or snowboarding. The weather may be cold but the sun can be very damaging, so keep applying the sunscreen and lip balm even if it is overcast or a blizzard – you can still get burnt from all angles!

What to eat - don't forget!
A hot chocolate at the end of a session out in the snow is a fabulous treat and energy booster, but low GI snacks are best on the slopes to maintain energy over a longer period, including apples, dried apricots, chopped celery and cucumber, and wholegrain breads and crackers. Don’t forget to keep a good supply of water with you.
 

Information extracted from "Tips For A Family To The Snow", courtesy of Holiday Inspiration.