Skiing & Winter Sports

Whatever age you choose, it is important to try to make sure the experience is enjoyable. Indeed, go too early and you may put the child off for life. Consider whether the child is mature enough to be happy alone with relative strangers, physically competent to handle skis, and capable of handling his or her own clothing, including mittens, goggles and boots. Then theres the little matter of bladder control in the cold, and consequently the need to undo salopettes appropriately.

Some companies offer a fun-oriented skiing class for three- to four- year-olds which introduce the youngsters to wearing skis and boots while having plenty of fun and games in dedicated childrens nursery areas. For younger children, a number of resorts offer fabulous kindergartens where outdoor play in the snow is all a part of the day.

On its skiing holidays, Esprit (01252 618300; www.esprit- holidays.co.uk) deals exclusively with families. Theres a full range of childcare at each of the 17 European resorts it uses, and its chalets are family-only.

Snow domes and dry slopes can be a useful way for you to get used to equipment and clothing. They can be a fun time out for the family but dry slopes give you little idea as to what snow feels like underfoot. What might be more useful before you go would be to become a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain (0845 458 0782; www.skiclub.co.uk); run by ski enthusiasts, its the leading independent not-for-profit snowsports club.

Proximity, plus wide and uncrowded ski slopes. The main destinations for British skiers are in the Alps; France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. But (as Siobhan Mulholland says on page 14) Scandinavia may be more suitable. Lapland is popular with families, particularly those with small children.

If cost is the main concern, and the principal reason for going to Eastern Europe is usually cost, its hard to beat resorts such as Pamporovo in Bulgaria and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, both offered by Inghams (020-8780 4433; www.inghams.co.uk).

Most resorts offer dedicated nursery areas but the best resorts to learn in are those with the easiest access from accommodation to the nursery slopes. The learning process becomes so much more enjoyable if beginners can reach nursery slopes with the minimum amount of fuss.

Children can find it difficult walking on slippery surfaces, particularly in ski boots, and you may not enjoy carrying their equipment as well as your own. If distances are longer, look for an operator offering a transfer service. Also useful is proximity to the ski school. Its important to choose a resort with a good ski school, with small class sizes and instructors who speak English well.

Its not the be all or end all, but relatively short and easy transfers between airport and resort will go down better than long and tiring trips. If youre not confident that skiing will hold all the familys interest for your entire holiday, its worth checking that theres a range of other attractions at or in reach of your resort.