Fancy a family ski holiday this season? Ski Safari picks the best resorts for parents and children…
Spend quality time with the family by swapping screens for slopes with one of Ski Safari’s tailor-made family ski holidays. Skiing together as a family is a priceless gift that can be enjoyed for many years to come. Ski Safari has been organising seamless bespoke family holiday experiences on the snow for more than 20 years. Ski Safari’s team have been on countless family holidays; the company knows exactly what is needed to create a low-hassle, fun trip.
Since adding Scandinavia to its portfolio in 2012, Ski Safari has encouraged families to explore the region because of its family-friendly terrain, guaranteed snow, first-class ski schools and many non-skiing activities. The staff at Ski Safari are experts when it comes to a family ski holiday in Scandinavia and, as a result, resorts such as Geilo, Trysil and Myrkdalen have hugely increased in popularity.
Ski Safari knows its customers are keen to expand their horizons, which is why its knowledgeable team is confident in recommending the best family resort in each of the countries it sells. Whether it be the ski-in, ski-out accommodation, the extensive number of slopes for all levels of skier, the pedestrian-style villages, the award-winning ski schools or the exciting activities away from the pistes. This coming season, Ski Safari has selected five ideal family destinations across its programme: Panorama in Canada, Laax in Switzerland, Trysil in Norway, Stöten in Sweden and Snowmass in USA are perfect destinations for parents and children alike.
Panorama, Canada
Nestled on one of Canada’s oldest mountains, Panorama is an ideal resort for families venturing to Canada for the first time. Once there, everything is a very short walk away – think two minutes, or less – making everything very convenient.
On skis or a snowboard, the inbound terrain is ideal for intermediates and there is a superb ski school for those new to the sport. Because most of the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out, it is easy to start (and finish) the day without having to lug skis, poles and boots to the slopes in the morning, plus the efficient lifts mean little or no queues, which is always a bonus.
Panorama has many non-skiing activities too, such as tubing, ice skating and fat biking. It also has one of Canada’s largest slope-side pools and hot-tub areas; perfect for relaxing those aching muscles at the end of the day. And for parents wanting to unwind completely, there is first-class child care available too.
Andy Knights, Sales Manager and North America specialist, says: “The team at Ski Safari understand the importance of convenience when considering a family-ski destination. Panorama was hand-picked as once in resort you are a snowball’s throw from all of the action. Another reason why we highly recommend Panorama is that they understand the importance of great customer service, often going above and beyond to make guests feel part of the Panorama extended family.”
How much? 7 nights stay, from 17 February 2019, at the 4* Upper Village Condos, cost from £1015pp for two adults and two children under 12 sharing a two-bedroom condo. Price includes scheduled flights and transfers, or car hire, and must be booked by 15 November 2018.
For more information, contact Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com
Trysil, Norway
Norway’s largest resort has a good variety of terrain to suit families with a range of ski abilities, from complete beginners to those more experienced.
It offers perfectly groomed wide runs, inspiring confidence and progression, and excellent ski-in, ski-out accommodation with top family-friendly facilities, including family-size rooms and interconnecting options. From restaurants and shops to ski schools and childcare, everything is easily accessible.
Andy Hemingway, Sales Manager and Scandinavia Product Manager, says: “It’s the clever little touches, so natural in Norway, that make all the difference. Everything is well thought out, starting with an easy transfer, to meeting Valle (the resort’s snowman mascot) whose programme of fun during the week encourages even the most reluctant to have a great time both on and off the slopes. It’s where I took my kids for their first ski holiday.”
How much? A week’s stay, from 31 March 2019, at the 4* Radisson Blu Mountain Resort & Residences, costs from £649 pp (saving 25%) for two adults and two children under 12 sharing a two-bedroom apartment on a bed and breakfast basis. Price includes scheduled flights and transfers, or car hire, and must be booked by 7 November 2018.
For more information, contact Ski Safari on 01273 224 068 or visit www.skisafari.com
Stöten, Sweden
Stöten is the northernmost ski resort in the Sälen mountain range and has magnificent views of the Swedish and Norwegian peaks. It boasts 45 kilometres of slopes that are refreshingly quiet, even during prime weeks, which helps all skiers and snowboarders build confidence.
Accommodation is based around the main square with easy access to ski rental, the lifts, the pool complex (free with your lift pass!), family-friendly restaurants and the supermarket. The ski school is based less than 200 metres away, at the next square, so parents and children need not worry about a ski bus.
Attracting skiers and non-skiers alike, there are plenty of activities to try in resort, from sledging to sleigh rides (all of which work wonders for tiring out the kids). One of the restaurants, Tyrolerladan, even has a games room underneath, so the kids can play while the adults relax with a drink.
Andy Hemingway, says: “The resort has a simple philosophy – putting you first – and it really works. The staff want to make sure you have a great time and return, they’ve added some really nice touches like being able to help yourself to a warm drink (free of charge) at the base of the lifts, a real hit with my two girls on our visit in April!”
How much? A week’s stay, from 17 February 2019, at the 3* Stöten Mitt, costs from £925 pp (saving 15%) for two adults and two children under 12 sharing a two-bedroom apartment. Price includes scheduled flights and transfers, or car hire, and must be booked by 7 November 2018.
For more information, contact Ski Safari on 01273 224 068 or visit www.skisafari.com
Laax, Switzerland
Laax has long been a Ski Safari family favourite for its surprisingly large ski area, great snow record and fabulous ski school. The conveniently located ski-in, ski-out accommodation, hugely efficient lift system, comprehensive ski programmes for kids (including those under four years old), supervised creche for two-plus month olds and the unique Freestyle Academy comprising trampolines and soft bag jump for aspiring freestylers to practice jumping like the pros, are just a few of the reasons it is such a hit. It also offers fantastic value, even during peak periods.
Vicky Bamford, Marketing Coordinator, says: “I took my son skiing here for the first time when he was four. He loved the ski school based around mountain magician, Ami Sabi, where he also learned about the Alpine surroundings through stories and song. By the end of the week he was skiing blues with me. I returned with him in April (now 10) and after just three days of the excellent tuition we felt confident enough to access all areas, and there are many.”
How much? A week’s stay, from 7 April 2019, at the 4* rocksresort costs from £649 pp (saving 15%) for two adults and two children under 12 sharing a two-bedroom apartment. Price includes scheduled flights and rail transfers and must be booked by 7 November 2018.
For more information, contact Ski Safari on 01273 224 062 or visit www.skisafari.com
Snowmass, USA
Few resorts in North America can rival Snowmass as a family ski destination. It combines ski-in, ski-out accommodation with blissfully quiet slopes, incredibly reliable snow, fun family activities and a very long season. It also has a huge amount of intermediate terrain and some of the best-value ski lessons available, plus kids age 12 and under ski free. The compact resort base with its big-mountain facilities means that time off the slopes is super-easy too.
James Rivers, USA Product Manager, says: “One of the best things to do in Snowmass with kids is a trip to the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Centre. Combining both fun and active childcare with a ski school, it couldn’t be easier to introduce your kids to the snow. Snowmass is where I plan to take my twins for their first ever ski trip.”
How much? 10 night’s stay, from 6 April 2019, at the new 5* Limelight Hotel Snowmass costs from £1,150 pp (saving 25%) for two adults and two children under 12 sharing a Deluxe Room on a bed & breakfast basis. Price includes scheduled flights and transfers or car hire and must be booked by 15 November 2018.
For more information, contact Ski Safari on 01273 224 060 or visit www.skisafari.com
