| Whether you want to be skiing back country in La | | | | If you have children, think carefully about childcare |
| Grave, hitting the gluhwein in Kitzbuhel, or covering | | | | options before you book anything. Children who are |
| 425km of pistes in a week in La Plagne, the key to a | | | | used to going to a nursery at home will thrive in the |
| great ski holiday is great planning. So, to help you plan | | | | sociability of a resort crèche whilst if you prefer |
| your trip we've spoken to a whole bunch of ski | | | | more flexibility consider a private nanny. For older |
| industry insiders and come up with some top tips to | | | | children, consider combining morning ski school with |
| help you ensure that you have a holiday which is right | | | | afternoon childcare. |
| for you. | | | | "Many companies advertise themselves as child |
| Think before you act | | | | friendly, but the only way to be sure is to ask" says |
| Before you begin choosing a holiday, you need to | | | | Heather of Ice and Fire ( "The best questions to ask |
| decide what you want. Are you looking for ski-in | | | | are the specifics of what you need for your child |
| ski-out? Or for facilities such as a hot tub or sauna? | | | | – Can you provide a cot and highchair? Are there |
| Do you want to go catered or to do your own | | | | toys and board games in the chalet? Do you provide |
| catering? Do you want to be out each night | | | | early dinners and what's your menu? Who will be |
| partying? Or do you want the chalet to have a log | | | | looking after my child and what are their |
| fire that you can curl up by in the evenings? | | | | qualifications?" |
| Before you start looking at properties decide | | | | Prepare your body |
| together what you are looking for, how many people | | | | Last month the medical university of Innsbruck |
| are going, which counties and ski areas you are | | | | shocked the ski industry by reporting the findings of |
| considering, how you are getting there, and how | | | | a study into the cause of deaths in the alpes |
| much you are willing to pay. | | | | ""Sudden cardiac death accounts for a staggering 40 |
| Research your accommodation | | | | per cent of the total fatalities amongst winter sports |
| Choose your accommodation carefully and have a | | | | tourists in the Austrian Alps and of these acute |
| look at all of the options before you decide what is | | | | myocardial infarction (heart attack) is the leading |
| best for you and your group. Booking flights and | | | | cause." Says Dr Bernhard Metzler, associate professor |
| accommodation separately often works out at a | | | | of cardiology at the university. |
| similar price, while giving you the flexibility to choose | | | | Skiing is a very physical activity and it is important to |
| where you want to stay. The Chalets Direct | | | | get your body ready for the challenge of a week on |
| Solutions room is a great tool too – write in your | | | | the slopes. "Do plenty of exercise in the run up to |
| wish list and let the solutions come back to you. | | | | your holiday, and ensure that you remain healthy |
| Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're looking | | | | whilst you are here by stretching carefully, drinking |
| either. "I would always ask for the name of the | | | | plenty of water and giving the booze a miss" |
| chalet host and a bit about them" says Andy Young, | | | | recommends Jenny Yates of Summer Zest ( |
| from Premiere Neige "If a company don't know who | | | | Book as much as you can before you travel |
| is working in your chalet, how can they guarantee | | | | Reserving what you can before you leave the UK will |
| you a certain level of catering?". | | | | ensure that things go much more smoothly during |
| Make sure that you are price savvy | | | | your holiday. The tourist office for the resort you are |
| Being price savvy rather than just looking for the | | | | visiting is a good place to start, as is an internet |
| cheapest option can ultimately mean a better holiday | | | | search and most alpine companies have an English |
| for less. Why book a self catered apartment instead | | | | web presence. |
| of a catered chalet to save money if you know your | | | | Your chalet host should be able to book lift passes |
| group will eat out each night? Or choose a cheaper | | | | for you in advance, and have them ready for you |
| property that's further away from the slopes, when | | | | when you arrive and ski hire is usually cheaper online, |
| you have to pay for a hire car to get you there and | | | | with deals of up to 40% off for booking in advance. |
| back each day? | | | | One handy tip is to try and find a ski hire company |
| One great way to get more for your money is to ski | | | | who will come to the chalet to cut down on faffing |
| on one of the weeks with lower demand. Typically a | | | | time on the first morning. Be aware too that good ski |
| January or March week is half the price of the New | | | | schools often book up fast so try and reserve your |
| Year, and there are fewer lift queues too! If you're a | | | | lessons as soon as possible after you book your |
| first time skier, have a look at the Freshers Ski | | | | holiday. |
| Week ( who offer some great incentives to get | | | | Once all of the planning is done all the remains is to |
| beginners onto the snow. | | | | put on your boots, pick up your skis, and prepare |
| Plan for the children too | | | | yourself for a fantastic holiday. |