A ski trip with kids requires a bit more planning than going with a group of friends. Even for the bravest little travel companions, the drive to Italy can be too long, and once you get there, you won't have the energy to enjoy the skiing. And some popular resorts can be a nasty surprise when it turns out that there are so few easy trails that you can ski all the options in half a day. So what should you pay attention to so that you have only the best memories from your ski trip with your family?
A safe northern neighbor
Finnish ski resorts are conveniently close to Estonia, which is why you can meet more Estonians there than anywhere else. At the same time, it makes perfect sense. Instead of spending several days driving, you can get there quickly and get back quickly. And although Finland is not that far away, the mountains there are a different story, the slopes are longer and the snow conditions are more stable.
Himos, located just 200km from Helsinki, is very popular with families. One important reason is the wide selection of mountain huts, meaning you can stay overnight near the ski slopes even if you don't have a lot of money. Another bonus is that children under 7 years old ski for free (except in the Snowland area) if they have a helmet and are accompanied by an adult. In addition, Himos has many other active activities. You can go sledding, go tubing, ice skating, and ride a snowmobile, sled or snowmobile.
Cars can also travel by train
Ruka resort is located much further north, but the longer drive is worth the time. Ruka has a separate area for children – the Rosa & Rudolf Family Park, with five carpet lifts that are also comfortable for the little ones, slalom tracks for children, a tube track, a carousel and a playhouse for those moments when the cold is too much. For those children who have already mastered the basic skills of skiing, there is the Rudolf Adventure Trail built through the forest. The trail leads past the reindeer and sled dog enclosure, through a tunnel and there is also more to discover. Like Himos, the use of the lifts here is free for children under 6 years old – provided they wear a ski helmet.
In addition to Ruka and Himos, which are very popular destinations among Estonians, you can discover lesser-known resorts. Ylläs is located even further north than Ruka, but offers completely unique slopes, views and experiences. The ski resort there consists of two different resorts, but access is with one ticket: Äkäslompolo and Ylläsjärvi. There is childcare on both sides, a children's area with a carpet lift, a carousel and a playground, but the mountain should not be underestimated. It has the steepest slopes in Finland, so even experienced skiers will have plenty to discover. Ylläs also offers childcare for children at least six months old, but you need to book it early, because if you leave it until the last minute, the childcare may run out.
There is also a very good tip for visiting resorts that are further away. In addition to regular trains, Finland has car trains. This means that you can park your car on the train in Helsinki and there is no need to worry about driving fatigue when you reach the resort. If you are afraid that your car is not big enough to accommodate your equipment or you want to take more friends with you, you can rent a minibus from Estonia and make the trip more comfortable.
Next level – Sweden
Swedish resorts are very easily accessible, the best known of which are Åre and Vemdalsskalet. However, if you have already been to them or would prefer another destination, you have a choice. Sälen is one of the Swedes' own favorites. The Sälen ski resort includes four different ski centers: Lindvallen, Högfjället, Tandådalen and Hundfjället. You can choose depending on the age of your children. Lindvallen is suitable for families with older children, while Hundfjället is a true paradise for younger children: the magical adventure area of Trollskogen and the giant Trollbäckstorget learning area, which you need to experience for yourself to fully understand the charm.
Another popular family resort is also Sweden's southernmost ski resort, Idre. Accommodation is conveniently located close to the slopes, and there is also the Idre Sports Centre, which helps to mix up your ski holiday with indoor activities: bowling, swimming pools and a play world. And after a long day of skiing, children can take part in activities just for them. after ski at the event – a dance party at the Understället restaurant.
Regardless of the resort, there are some universal principles that can help make a ski trip a success. Children usually don't get to do the same long ski days as adults. It's worth considering early on that in addition to skiing, you should plan other, varied activities, and on some days you may need to rest in the morning and ski only in the afternoon. The best idea would be to send your children to ski school for at least one day. Under the guidance of experienced instructors and in the company of their peers, new skills are acquired quickly, and parents can enjoy longer and more difficult trails at the same time. The next day, the adults will be happy about the calmer day and the children will be excited to show off what they learned the previous day.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee