Going on holiday? A skiing holiday? Taking the kids for the first time? The following hints should help the trip go more smoothly.

Don't forget your toothbrush!

There are always essentials for any holiday. Make sure you pack the following, or you'll regret it...

• Favourite toys and comforters
• Favourite foods¹
• A favourite book or cd/dvd
• Pen and paper for drawing pictures making up games/stories/passing notes and general distraction
• Small travel games for the journey, or in the accomodation in case weather conditions turn bad
• Slippers. Many resorts have wooden or stone floors so good slippers are useful not only for comfort, but also to avoid accidents

Babies

If your baby is on formula milk, it is recommended that you bring sufficient with you for your holiday as it's not always possible to find the brand that you use. If you are breast-feeding and intend to vary your normal feeding times during your ski holiday, it is advisable to introduce the new routine well beforehand, or express for later use. Also ensure you pack enough nappies/diapers/pullups. It's the law of averages that you'll run out and nowhere will have the right size for your child, or laundry facilities for those extra stinky ones...

Childcare

You may be thinking of utilising childcare whilst on the holiday – younger children (less than 3 years old) will probably find skiing too demanding, but can still have a lot of fun in the snow. Others may not be up to a whole day on the slopes, so again childcare might be a good option. If you choose to use any creche or nursery, it's a good idea to find out as much as you can about the facility before you go. What age range do they cater for? What should you take along? What is the fee?

For little ones in childcare, it helps if you write down their usual routine such as eating habits, if they are used to a rest during the day, favourite toys and other information the childcarers may need to know, so that they can try to keep life as normal as possible for the child.

If your child is taking any medication, please ensure that full details are written down and that the medication is clearly labelled with your child’s name and the dosage instructions, so that it can be administered at the appropriate times. Be aware though that some childcare facilities will not administer medication at all, so it is best to find out beforehand.

However if your child is ill, most childcare services will require you to either remove them from the nursery, or stay with them. Most companies are unable to look after sick children, particularly when there are others with them in childcare, so if children become ill during the holiday parents will need to look after them. Don't expect other people to take care of your poorly children while you take to the slopes.

Clothing

All children, whether skiing or just staying in a chalet, will need warm outdoor clothing including hat, gloves/mittens and warm boots that are waterproof and comfortable. It is a good idea to re-proof old or second-hand outer clothes which may no longer be impermeable. Several thin layers act as better insulators than one thick one, and even children who are too young to ski should be warmly dressed when they go outside. One piece suits are preferable also, so snow, muck, wet and other ickiness won't get into the inner layers.

A high factor sunscreen is equally important in the mountains, given the reflection from the snow and the increased intensity of the sun at altitude. Children should also have good quality sunglasses or ski-goggles. A string around the sunglasses can stop them going astray, but be mindful of the chance that this could cause inadvertent strangulation. Goggles are sometimes easier for younger children when skiing, as they stop the snow getting in the eyes when tumbling and also do not fall off. Another must for any child trying alpine skiing is a helmet. Whether it be a bicycle helmet or one especially designed, there is no compromise when safety is concerned.

Buying new can become very expensive if you are kitting out the whole family for the first time. Some specialist shops sell second-hand and/or offer a hire service. Alternatively, if a friend has children of the same age and you’re planning to go at different times, why not club together and share.

On the Slopes

You may find that you like to ski alone, and there's nothing wrong with that for some of the holiday. But the kids are there to enjoy themselves too. So make sure you do something with them! Babies love to eat snow, let them! A short stint crawling in it won't do any major harm, just ensure they are warm and dry when you retire inside. Another nice way to involve the very young child (up to 12 months) is for them to be carried in a papoose², or other appropriate child carrier, whilst cross-country skiing. Be very careful to check that they are warm enough, and don't stay out for too long in any case³.

Older children will enjoy the inevitable snowball fights, building snowmen, snowboarding, tobogganing and, believe it or not, watching you ski! If the kids want to learn how to ski, this can be done either before you go, or while you are on holiday. Most ski-schools will take children as young as 4, but some prefer them a little older at 6. Prices and facilities can vary, so again, check them out before just turning up. Many children will take to the slopes like the proverbial duck to water, and be careening around like professionals, while adults stumble and fall in the first available drift. If on the slopes with children, especially the first timers, ensure as an adult you follow the kids down the runs. If they follow you instead, don't be surprised if they aren't with you when you reach the bottom, but rather halfway up the mountain on their bums. Another troublesome aspect of skiing however, is the ski-lift. These can a daunting and frightening experience for newcomers to skiing, let alone children. Reassurance, and patience are the key. If the child you are with does not want to get on the ski-lift, then so be it. Don't force the issue. There's plent more things you can do beside skiing when up a mountain!

Just like any other holiday, make it fun for the whole family. There are numurous gadgets you could take to make the trip a bit easier, and even though a camera can take snapshots, and a camcorder will record other memories, it is the thrill of snow for the first time, or watching adults crashing into snowdrifts that will make your skiing holiday all the more enjoyable for everyone involved, the children most of all.