Taking a Toddler on a Snowboarding Holiday: 5 Things to Consider

At first glance, the words ‘toddler’ and ‘snowboarding’ don’t seem to go together but taking a toddler on a snowboarding holiday can be a great family experience. However companies like Esprit Ski offer a variety of childcare options meaning kids are kept warm, fed and entertained.

Toddlers (classified as from when they start to take their first steps until they are 3 years old) are too young to start learning to snowboard so will be looked after in a crèche meaning parents can hit the slopes.

Here are 5 things to consider before taking a toddler on a snowboarding holiday.

‘Are We There Yet?’

Kids hate waiting. They hate waiting the most in airports and during long car journeys or transfers.

Great then that you can fly from all Britain’s main airports, meaning that the drive there shouldn’t take too long wherever you happen to be based. ‘Breeze through’ valet parking speeds up the process even more.

At the other end there can be some long transfers to resort so be sure to do some research. What might be the cheapest flight option may involve 4 hours on a coach which is the last thing you want to subject a toddler to after a flight. However there are plenty of options for short transfers so be sure to do your research.

‘I’m Tired Mummy!’

Flight times are a drag for kids, and for parents with kids, whatever time of the day or night. But there’s never been so much choice meaning you can choose times the suit you to head off on your snowboarding holiday. So hopefully avoiding upsetting toddler sleep patterns with either very early or very late flights.

Every major airport in Britain has flights to airports in the best snowboarding regions in Europe. Flying to Austria, Italy, France or Switzerland you’ll not spend more than 3 hours in the air, and to many airports less than 2 hours.

‘Look After Me!’

Any parent who’s taken family snowboarding holidays will understand the importance of ‘me-time’. Crèche facilities at companies such as Esprit Ski are as reliable and high-quality as anything back home meaning you can hit the slopes knowing your child is in safe hands.

All Esprit Ski’s crèche facilities are staffed by fully-qualified British nannies or nursery nurses (DCE/CCE/NNEB or NVQ Levels 2 or 3). All child minders have first-aid certification, and have been subject to enhanced CRB checks. They will look after your darlings from 8:30am-5pm, 6 days a week, while you go off and ride to your heart’s content.

‘Get Out of My Room!’

Nothing is worse than taking the kids on holiday only to be stuck in a hotel room while they are sleeping. Even worse if you are sharing a room and its lights out early doors! With this in mind family accommodation needs some extra consideration.

Small chalets are a good option as they have communal areas for parents to spend their evenings socialising with other guests while still being close enough to hear if a child wakes up. With family specialists such as Esprit Ski, you will be with other families meaning you are all in the same boat! It’s also worth looking into apartments that give separate rooms for kids with a living space for you to chill out in during the evening.

But What About the Boarding?

Of course a family snowboarding holiday is not all about the kids and childcare, it’s also about the boarding. By putting your toddler in a crèche you can be sure to spend plenty of time on the slopes – but don’t forget to choose a resort that suits you.

We are spoilt for choice in Europe, but not all resorts have a decent park, or are suitable for beginners or have off piste potential. Do your research, choose a resort that provides what you want as well as keeping your little one safe and happy and taking a toddler on a snowboarding holiday can be a great family experience.