Ski holidays with childcare

In some places, children as young as the age of 3 are allowed in kindergarten ski schools. But generally, about 4-5 is a good age to get your children on the snow in ski schools. No matter how competent a skier or snowboarder you are yourself, it is strongly advised that children should be instructed to ski and snowboard on nursery slopes with trained professional who with ensure their safety and that they are learning the correct techniques.

You will find in lots of places that many ski schools don’t offer snowboard tuition until your children are around 7-8 years of age. This is because snowboarding takes a fair amount of core strength as well as body coordination between the feet and legs and shoulders. It’s been noted that children often excel in skiing from a young age but will struggle with snowboarding until they are older. So start your little ones off with skiing until they have developed the basics.

Children should wear ski helmets, and in many places this is the law or they will not be allowed on the pistes. However, the helmet is the most important part of their ensemble, any additional protection is optional. Children and pre-teens learning to snowboard may benefit from elbow, knee and wrist protectors, as well as impact shorts. Another form of ‘protection’ that often gets forgotten about is the humble sun cream. Bright sun at high altitudes is reflected off the white snow and any exposed skin can easily get burnt. Children will especially benefit from a high SPF factor of sun cream because their skin is quite delicate.