Skiing With Kids: Your Survival Guide
Taking kids skiing or snowboarding is the ultimate expression of parental patience. Hauling the gear. Stuffing or coercing little ones into snowsuits, boots and helmets. The absolute trudge to the chairlift or magic carpet. A little bit of crying—sometimes from the kids, sometimes not.
For many, it’s just too much. The idea of getting your little ones successfully from car to chairlift then back down again seems like your own personal Mount Everest. And that’s too bad. Because beyond the cost, sweat, tears and maybe even a little blood (usually the parents’)—family ski and snowboard trips are incredible. They set up kin for years of shared experiences, healthy active vacations and unparalleled bonding.
My family recently joined my brother and his family on a long-weekend ski trip to Big White, near Kelowna, British Columbia, and it demonstrated not only the previously mentioned positive attributes of a ski trip—but also how a family that skied together (mine, growing up) stays together (my brother and I now taking our own kids skiing).
But how to make it work? How does one carve past the anxiety and ski-jump right into a gold-medal mountain vacation? Here’s what worked for us:
It’s All About the Kids
If you’re planning on getting your offspring into the sport, there’s a strong chance you’re a skier or snowboarder yourself. So, this is the bad news: when you have your young’uns underfoot, it’s not about you.
You are front-loading their ski experience to foster a lifelong love of sliding down snow. This means that even if the black diamonds are deep with powder or the corduroy groomers are calling your name—you stay on the bunny hill or green runs with your mini-me.
The best way to manage this is to realize that young children are only going to muster two to three hours on the hill, tops. So if you’re hoping to get some adult turns in, know you don’t have to scratch those powder dreams, you just have to bump them a bit. Kids get the morning, then, if you have two parents onsite, one of you (or both if you have childminding) can skip out in the afternoon. Or vice-versa.
Segmenting your day will help you maintain a positive attitude and not get caught up in feeling like you’re “missing out.” This presence of mind is key. Skiing with kids is a mix of cardio, weight training and mindfulness all at once. Be present, find joy in the experience, listen to your child and take breaks often.
It won’t be long until they’re teenagers and you’re the one begging them for a break!
Lessons for the Win
I’ve skied 40 years and even I have trouble verbalizing exactly what I want my sons to do as we slide downhill together. Once they’re comfortable enough to be without you by their side—call in the ski school. It’s an investment in their future—and one afternoon group lesson will likely have them progressing more than you could from a week of parent-taught skiing. So, if cost is holding you back—take the calculation of multiple days’ worth of passes, for both of you, into consideration. Not only will it build skills and confidence, but parents may be able to sneak off for some turns on their own while the lessons operate. Win-win!
If you’re new to the sport yourself, try a family lesson—but keep in mind, all participants will likely need to be either skiers or boarders, not a mix.
Reward Often & Have Fun
A ski trip is not the time to be stingy with the treats. For most kids, a hot chocolate in the lodge or a cookie back at the condo is half the fun of the day. Plus, nothing quite gets a kid to “try again” like the promise of gummy bears on the chairlift. You don’t have to dwell in Halloween-levels of sugar, but remember that, while you may be here to ski, your child is here to have fun with you. So what do they think is fun? A Pokémon card for every run? Hot cocoa and a donut? Silly add-ons to their ski outfit—like bunny ears for their helmet or goofy sunglasses?
And remember, when your kid crashes hard, or gets discouraged, or their feet hurt, or they’re cold—all of which will happen—it’s time for a lodge break. Trust me, a cupcake heals (most) ills.
Keep Costs Low
One of the biggest barriers to mountain vacations is the cost. Between accommodations, gear, clothing, lift tickets and food… it’s little wonder so many families just toss it out and fly to an all-inclusive in Mexico instead. But here, a little planning can go a long way.
For starters, if you have very new skiers, search out mountains that offer Beginner Passes. These generally offer bunny hill access and perhaps access to one other green-run lift. In the case of Big White, a $29 Beginner Pass got my boys access to the bunny hill and the Plaza Chair, plus the free village gondola. More than enough for six-year-olds.
Secondly, even though it’s going to be cheaper to stay off-mountain, run the numbers on fuel, parking and food in addition to that. If you stay ski-in, lunches can be hot dogs back at the condo rather than $25-per-person lodge fare… or a bagged lunch that nobody really wants on their vacation (including you).
Always buy your passes online, as far ahead as you can. If you’re planning an annual trip, you could even look at summertime savings. Search for promo codes or buy gift cards that offer discounts built-in. Never buy at the ticket window, day of. You’re almost certainly paying more than you need to.
And of course, plan ahead for equipment needs. Balance the costs and hassle of renting with the purchase price of some used kids gear. Kids ski/snowboard boots can run as little as $30 at a used sporting goods store, and a pair of quality—think Elan, Rossignol and similar—skis (or a similarly reputable-brand snowboard) can run $80 to $100. If you have the patience to navigate Facebook Marketplace, you can likely save even more.
Then you can likely recoup half the purchase price on resale every couple of years and keep going!
Variety is Key
You’re here to ski and ride. That’s fun for you. Your kids? They’re here to have family fun with you and try something different. So take advantage of everything the resort has to offer—another benefit of staying on-hill.
Knock off early one day to save some energy for night-tubing or sledding. Spend a morning building snowmen. Is there a skating rink? Or maybe they want to play in the hotel pool or condo hot tub one morning instead of hitting the slopes. Hey, there’s always night skiing if they feel like heading out later!
Welcome to the family ski trip, where skiing is just one of the things you’ll do today. Think of it more as a “winter vacation” or “snow vacation.” Embrace the chaos and fun—and act like a little kid yourself. It’ll keep everyone excited to try again next season.
After all, who doesn’t like a little sledding?
Apparel & Accessories
Along with the aforementioned pre-owned shopping list, my family has found the following gear items perfect for family ski days:
MEC Toaster Suit
$160; mec.ca
Suitable for ages from toddler to about seven or eight, this classic onesie from MEC is perfect for kids who like to have fun in the snow. Warm enough for nearly anything they’ll want to ski in and waterproof-breathable, it comes with reinforced knees and bum, and the one-piece design means lots of falls and fun without getting snow down their pants.
Wedze 100 Ski Harness
$20; decathlon.ca
This is the best-priced kids ski harness I’ve found. Simple buckle-and-Velcro closure, high-vis colours, a nylon-webbing leash and a reinforced harness bring everything you need to keep your kiddo close on the hill.
Columbia Coreshot Anorak & Pants
Jacket: $260 Pants: $200; columbiasportswear.ca
My wife calls this “the ultimate mom suit.” But there’s no negative connotation there—this stylish pants-and-jacket combo has serious technical chops. With midweight synthetic insulation, 20K/20K waterproof breathability, sealed-seams, powder skirt and droptail, it keeps the elements at bay. A ski-pass sleeve pocket, helmet compatible hood and vents are nice touches for comfort and use. It’s everything you need at an easy-to-manage price.
But what really makes this a mom’s-must-have is the gigantic kangaroo pocket on the Anorak jacket. This is where snacks, toques, gloves and what-have-you live—cavernous and easy to access with a gloved hand, it’ll negate the need for a backpack.
Adidas Terrex Xperior Hybrid PRIMEKNIT CLIMAPROOF+ Jacket
$500; adidas.ca
Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean you forgo style, right? The patterned touches on this new resort-skiing jacket from Adidas Terrex had us sold from moment-one. Matched with the golden-brown shade (dubbed “Cardboard” colourway), it’s one chic shell. (Black is also available.)
For skiing with kids, we appreciated the huge side pockets for storing snacks, and the massive storm hood that easily covers a helmet. But it’s the PRIMEKNIT construction that stood out—supple and burly, this jacket can take serious abuse. From failing poles, to carrying a pile of sharp-edged skis, to chairlift snags, it’ll last for years of hard-wear on family trips when dad is one part pack-mule, one part ski-lift and one part exhausted.
Mountain Resort Top Picks
Family Favourite: Big White Ski Resort
Dubbed “Canada’s Favourite Family Resort,” Big White delivers all-ages fun. The on-slope village with free gondola imparts a European winter-wonderland vibe, and kids will love the candy store and arcade for après. Saturday night fireworks are always a hit, and there’s tubing, sledding, ice skating and even dogsledding onsite. Check the events calendar for anything from pancake breakfasts to “Tube & Groove,” which pairs tunes and hot chocolate with evening snow-tube sessions. Keep an eye out for the official Big White mascots, Loose Moose and Lucy Moose!
Something For Everyone: Whistler Blackcomb
Whether you have young kids, adult children or you’re on a multi-generational vacation, the biggest resort in North America has what you need. The 3,300-plus-hecatres of skiable terrain is unparalleled—and non-skiers can indulge in sightseeing on the Peak2Peak, luxuriating in the Scandinave Spa or just wandering the extensive townsite. Nearby, the Olympic-level Callaghan Valley offers incredible cross-country skiing, and there’s even a heli-skiing operation near town. Plus, Whistler Village offers legendary après—from family restaurants to fine dining; from teenagers heading to the movie theatre to adults staying out late at the nightclubs. Art galleries? Cultural tours? Ziplines? The list simply never ends.
All-Inclusive Ease: Club Med Quebec Charlevoix
Sun vacations aren’t the only place to go all-inclusive. The first Club Med ski resort in Canada, this picturesque hill is perched on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, near Quebec City, and offers a pay-once easy stay. Along with skiing and riding, there is a luxurious spa, horseback tours, snowshoeing, a pool, yoga and wellness and even local excursions. Parents can take advantage of daycare, kids camps and even teenager-appropriate activities for older kids looking for a little independence.
For Road-Trippers: BC’s Powder Highway
If you’re the type of family that can’t sit still, head to BC’s southeast. The Powder Highway offers the best skiing road-trip in Canada. Whether you drive from a local region or start your trip coming from the Calgary Airport, you can hit eight alpine resorts along this looped-route. Golden is home to legendary Kicking Horse Mountain Resort; Revelstoke has the massive vertical drop of its namesake hill; Fernie Alpine Resort is known for storms of deep powder; Whitewater Mountain Resort is your stop near historic Nelson; Kimberly Alpine Resort is within eyeshot of the town’s Bavarian-themed downtown; Panorama Mountain Resort, near Invermere, is a family favourite with its hot pools and on-slope candy shop; Red Mountain Resort is renowned for steeps-and-deeps; and don’t skip little Fairmont Hot Springs, which is ideal for beginners and has Canada’s largest natural hot springs as a soothing après.
