Hitting the slopes with the kids? New Zealand skifields offer super family-friendly facilities with great learn-to-ski programmes, writes
Tim Brewster.
It has been said working with children and animals is bad news in the movie industry – well, just try kids and wintry conditions on a mountain top.
Seriously though, the annual family ski holiday is often the highlight of the year, with thrilling descents, snowball fights, and the kids exhausted after a day’s racing around the slopes.
Once youngsters experience the thrill of a downhill slide, they’re usually hooked, so it helps to plan for success on that crucial first trip.
For families heading to the snow for the first time, dealing with all the gear and clothing, cold temperatures and mountain driving can be daunting.
The good news is New Zealand resorts are constantly striving to be family-friendly with fully inclusive kids’ ski school programmes, improved access roads and, thanks to digital technology, more accurate information on weather and conditions – the webcam can’t lie! Lessons for children are among the best in the world, with Kiwi resorts having a global pool of qualified instructors and age specific teaching programmes.
Rachael Milner, one of the country’s top teaching experts in that area, trains snowsports instructors here and in the United States.
As the ski school director for Cardrona Alpine Resort she’s seen thousands of kids take to the sport and return year after year with their families. Here are her tips for first-time family skiers.
Snow play first
‘‘From an early age if you can, introduce your kids to playing in the snow,’’ says Milner.
Once the environment becomes more familiar and seen as just another playground, younger children will be more likely to want to take part.
Take lessons
Signing your children up for lessons or booking the very young ones (up to the age of 5) into ‘‘ski kindy’’ is also widely regarded as the quickest way to get kids enjoying the sport.
Milner also suggests skiing as the best first option for younger children, with snowboarding becoming easier once kids are 7 or 8 years old, as it requires them to be stronger and more co-ordinated.
Childcare options
Three resorts, Mt Hutt, Cardrona Alpine Resort and Coronet Peak provide fully licensed childcare aged from 3 months to 5. Not surprisingly, they are also the busiest resorts during the July school holidays so you need to book ahead.
All of the ski areas make a big effort during the school holidays and offer Once youngsters experience the thrill of a downhill slide, they’re usually hooked, so it helps to plan for success on that crucial first trip. children’s programmes, dress-up days and fun activities.
But a word of advice: Choose September over July. You’ll share the slopes with far fewer less people, enjoy warmer weather and have longer daylight hours.
Here, we’ve gathered the latest information for child facilities from north to south at the larger commercial resorts in the country.
The smaller ski areas such as Ohau, Round Hill, Dobson, Mt Cheeseman, Porter Heights and Rainbow are also extremely family-friendly with great reputations for introducing children to the sport.
Turoa
The Turoa Yeti programme offers fully licensed childcare from ages 2-5 and includes snow play in a fenced area. Kids can join the Yeti Skiwee programme from the age of 3.
Above that age they can join the Turoa ‘‘Holiday Crew’’, which has a range of half- and full-day options for all levels up to the age of 15. The Alpine Meadows area has two ‘‘magic carpet’’ conveyor belts and gentle slopes adjacent to the childcare area and lodge. The 17 kilometre access road to Turoa is sealed.
mtruapehu.com
More information Mt Hutt
To say Mt Hutt welcomes families is a bit of an understatement. The Methven Kids 4 Free deal means that every child 10 years and under receives free accommodation and meals in Methven, plus a free lift pass when accompanied by a paying adult.
The on-snow facilities include the registered Skiwiland Early Learning Centre for children aged 3 months to 5 years old, and offers three age-distinct childcare programmes with varying levels of outdoor activity. The child-