Skiing is a popular choice for a family or group holiday, particularly due to the number of chalets and apartments that cater specifically for these markets. Plus, many tour operators offer incentives for those travelling in large parties and some resorts offer group discounts on lift passes.
But as an organiser, there are many decisions to make and many arrangements to sort out before you can get out on the slopes. Careful thought, for example, must be put into choosing the right resort so that all members of the party get the most from their ski holiday.
Most of your decisions will revolve around the different skiing abilities within your group and, particularly if you are travelling with different generations, this can vary enormously from absolute beginners to advanced daredevils – placing different demands on the choice of resort; does it have gentle beginner slopes, lively mogul ranges, ski schools or opportunities for off-piste skiing? Some consideration should also be given to resort amenities – do you want lively nightlife, a good choice of restaurants or even non-skiing activities for those that remain unconvinced about the joys of being out on the pistes?
Here are some of our favourite resorts for mixed ability groups - for more information about their facilities and which abilities they cater for, please follow the links below:
Consider the length of the flight – destinations such as France are a good choice for a family ski holiday with short flight times (approx 2 hours) to gateway airports such as Lyon, Chambery, Geneva, Perpignan and Toulouse.
Pick a resort with a short transfer time – remember that the drive up to the mountains is likely to be winding (not good for those who suffer from travel sickness) and busy (particularly weekends during January and February)
Choose a hotel or chalet close to the slopes – it can be hard work tramping about in heavy snow boots. Many resorts offer shuttle buses to the slopes – so if you can't ski from your door, it's a good idea to ensure you're on a bus route.
Ensure there is adequate provision made for younger visitors and beginners such as good nursery slopes, ski schools and childcare facilities. Additional resort amenities and activities should also be taken into account – swimming pools, cinemas, ice rinks, tobogganing and bowling can all provide family fun if you need a break from the slopes.
Look for resorts that offer discounted lift passes for youngsters (for example Whistler promotes free skiing for under 6s and both Chamonix and Les Deux Alpes offer special family lift passes)
Pick a suitable hire car - take into account how much luggage you're likely to be carrying, along with any ski equipment. Family-sized estate cars and mini-vans tend to be in most demand so advance booking is recommended. And don't forget to request your child seats well in advance.
Look for ski schools and resorts that offer dedicated lessons for young adults, enabling your teenagers to hang out with kids their own age, rather than being stuck in a class with younger children. Teen ski lessons can be found in Val d'Isere in France, Vail in Colorado, Sunshine Village in Canada, Whistler in Canada and Breckenridge, Colorado. Some resorts also now offer teen-oriented ski or snowboard camps – such as the "Steamboat Teen Challenge", "Red Tribe Ski Camp" in Whistler or the "Snozone" club in Courcheval.
If there are several teenagers in your party then booking a course of private lessons may be a more cost-effective option. This can be tailored to their individual needs and again lets them experience the resort without the annoyance of younger siblings (and parents!). For example, the Big White resort in Canada offers an "adopt an instructor" scheme for families to ensure consistency of tuition.
Many resorts also offer discounted youth lift passes to help keep the costs down.
Look for resorts that offer freestyle skiing and terrain parks – these have become extremely popular amongst teenagers and they're bound to meet plenty of kids their own age. The Snowpark in Les Deux Alpes has plenty going on including an open DJ turntable and even a few deckchairs so you can relax and watch the action.
If your teenagers want to enjoy more independence, choosing a centrally located hotel or apartment will ensure they can get out and about without relying on you to drive them anywhere.
Look for resorts with plenty of off-slope activities – tubing, ice-skating, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, climbing walls, ice-karting, bowling, cinemas and swimming pools can all help keep your teens from getting bored.
Nightlife will undoubtedly play an important part in your teenager's holiday experience. The resorts in the USA have geared up for this up-and-coming market - Smugglers Notch (Vermont) has a teen only hangout, as does Vail, whilst other resorts (such as Steamboat and Aspen) offer organised teen excursions and après-ski activities. Chamonix has recently launched an "Action Jeunesse" youth programme of organised non-ski activities and events. However, if under-age drinking is cause for concern, the legal drinking age in Europe is 18, 19 in Canada and 21 in the States. It's also worth noting that the bars in the USA tend to be stricter than those in Europe with regard to serving those under the legal limit and ID can be requested before entrance to bars.
For the more mature skier:
Again the USA tends to lead the way with regard to offerings for the senior market – there is even a Senior Ski Network which promotes the sport to more mature participants, recognising that many retirees can ski at quieter periods during the year. Mount Cranmore, for example, has its own program for skiers aged 50 years and over on Tuesdays when they pay half price for lifts, lessons and rental equipment and Stowe has previously run dedicated ski weeks for seniors.
Look for resorts that offer discounted lift passes but be aware that the age requirements can vary by resort and be prepared to prove your age to qualify. Sunshine Village in Canada offers an 18% reduction on day tickets for those aged over 65 years. Chamonix/Mont Blanc also offers discounts for those aged 65+ whilst Les Deux Alpes offers free lift passes to those over 72 years as well as pedestrian passes for those that don't want to ski but still require access to the mountain and its restaurants. Val d'Isere offers reductions for those aged 75+ years and those with limited mobility.
Choose a hotel or chalet close to the slopes – it can be hard work tramping about in heavy snow boots. It's also wise to choose accommodation that is centrally located so that, at the end of the day, you have easy access to the resort's amenities.
Rather than choose a one-size-fits-all insurance policy when you book your group holiday, individual members of your party may be better with their own personal coverage. Travel insurance for senior citizens can sometimes be difficult to find, especially if you are over 60 and have pre-existing medical conditions. Choose carefully and check your policy covers skiing and other winter sport activities. Saga, for example, offers policies for the over 50s with optional winter sports coverage.
Work your way through the pages below for more resorts suited to mixed ability groups
