Family Winter Holiday: How to Enjoy It Comfortably and Stress-Free

When you hear “winter holiday,” you should picture a fairy-tale white landscape, cheerful fun in the snow and relaxed evenings in the hotel bar. But many parents know all too well that reality can be quite different – the constant search for hats and dry gloves, siblings battling over a spot on the sled, an uncooperative child on the ski slope, and in the evening you collapse into bed exhausted before the kids do. The good news is that with a bit of planning and a realistic approach, a family holiday in the mountains can be a wonderful experience that everyone will enjoy.

Choose the right accommodation

Your mountain base will have a major impact on whether your holiday turns out well. Some people like to treat themselves to the comfort of a hotel, while others appreciate the privacy and homey atmosphere of a rented apartment or cottage. What should you focus on in any case?

• How far is it to the ski slope and other activities you’re looking forward to? How will you get there?
• Will you enjoy your holiday even if you have to provide your own meals? Are there convenient options nearby for grocery shopping or eating out?
• The smooth running of your holiday also depends on how practical the accommodation is. If there’s no handy ski room and enough space to dry wet items, every day can end up being pretty frustrating.
• A play corner or other entertainment for children is always useful. Any parent tired from a full day outdoors will gladly enjoy a little quiet time for themselves.

Plan the day so everyone can enjoy it

The basic rule of a winter holiday with kids is: don’t overload the schedule. Running around snowy hills can wear you out quickly. And if your little athlete is only learning to control their skis and isn’t always successful, their enthusiasm can fade fast. So plan for breaks and alternate activities.

Keep your expectations realistic. It doesn’t matter whether your kids are just learning to ski or can already handle more advanced runs. Just because you’re an enthusiastic skier and sporty person doesn’t mean your children will inherit the same passion. You won’t nurture a love of winter sports by forcing them to ski and keeping them on the slope as long as you planned. Accept that sometimes the biggest success is simply that your child wants to put their skis on again the next day.

Did you buy expensive week-long lift passes? Don’t get swept up in the feeling that you have to make the most of them – be on the slope every day before the lifts open and jump on the last cable car in the afternoon. Kids will end up pretty fed up with this “mandatory” skiing. Remember you’re on holiday mainly so you can all enjoy a relaxed time together – not to impress followers with the number of kilometers you’ve skied. If you can, buy lift passes that allow you to include a rest day. And even if you can’t, just take one when you feel like it.

What helps make a great day on the slopes?

• plenty of time for breaks
• praise instead of pressure
• choosing an appropriate slope difficulty
• snow parks with fun features

A winter holiday with kids isn’t only about skiing. Give children plenty of time to simply play in the snow. Building a snowman, having a proper snowball fight, or sledding down hills – that’s what they look forward to most.

Whether you have a hike planned or a day on the slopes, make sure you leave enough time to head back before tiredness sets in.

Practical essentials: what to bring

Whether you’re heading to the slopes, out for a walk, or just playing outside, if you plan to be outdoors for a longer time, it’s useful to have a few things with you:

• a lightweight foldable seat pad
• spare gloves and socks
• a thermos of hot tea
• something sweet for a quick energy boost
• hand warmers for cold hands
• anti-slip shoe grips for icy paths

Even if you’re only going for a walk or to the slopes, bring a foam snow slider with you. It’s super light and flexible, so you can easily put it in a backpack or clip it on. Kids can use it anytime for a fun slide on the snow, and you can also use it as a seat pad, for example during snack time or when changing boots.

Before leaving for your holiday, don’t forget to properly waterproof all shoes – and possibly trousers and jackets too.

Don’t forget about yourself

Parents often focus mainly on the children – but without rested parents, there’s no relaxed holiday.

If there are two of you, take turns. One of you can build a snowman with the kids, while mum or dad can enjoy a proper ski session or some relaxing wellness time alone.

You’ll also get time for yourself if you use a ski instructor or ski school on the slopes.

As early as possible, teach children that parents also have the right to a moment of peace. Set aside at least half an hour when they play on their own and you can enjoy a quiet moment with a book or coffee.

Be prepared for anything

Sometimes you can’t avoid illness or injury even on holiday, especially in winter. Don’t forget to pack:

• basic medicines for pain and fever
• bandages and plasters
• nasal spray
• cold-weather cream and a nourishing lip balm
• sunscreen

If you’re going skiing abroad, don’t leave without good travel insurance that also covers specific situations such as mountain rescue services. Check whether it includes skiing and other activities you plan to do. It’s also worth getting liability insurance for damage and injury to others, because that can easily happen on the slopes.

Need to know how to dress kids properly in winter, tips on how to start skiing, or tricks for choosing winter boots? Browse our blog! You’ll find lots of articles full of useful advice.

We wish you a winter holiday full of laughter, fun and wonderful memories,

The Mama Labels team