Family skiing with Crystal Ski

I will always be very grateful to my dad for making the decision when I was five to try a family skiing holiday. I still remember the look on his face when he bought his first mens skiing jacket.

After a couple of dodgy experiences early on which put off my already nervous mum, I am also grateful to her for continuing to indulge the rest of us in getting our annual mountain fix, when she was less than enthusiastic about it herself.

Over the years we tried all sorts of ski holiday companies including Crystal Ski, so they were already a company I knew a bit about, although admittedly it was a very long time ago that we last traveled with them. We’d also heard of a ski holiday company called The Luxury Chalet Company whose chalets are aimed at those looking for aminites like hottubs, swimming pools and catering but didnt go with them on this occasion.

Since we’ve had children, we have largely organised our own ski trips and driven to the Alps. Although a very long way, there are many advantages of driving, including the fact that you can take food shopping if self-catering and stop when you need to, as well as not having to worry so much about packing light – something we’ve never been very good at!

For a long time we have wanted to try the Snowtrain to see how feasible it was with a family. The idea of being able to walk around on board, play games and so on really appealed. Crystal Ski have an option for this which we were keen to try out, but if that’s not your thing, don’t worry there are flight options as well.

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You can board the train at St Pancras or Ashford and travel direct to Moutiers, Bourg St. Maurice or Aime, depending on the resort you are heading to.

We were met by a Crystal Ski Rep in Aime and taken on a mini bus to the resort, only about a 30 minute journey, so manageable with the children. During the journey we were given our lift passes and ski school vouchers and had the chance to ask questions on the way to La Plagne 1800 where were were staying, saving queuing time the following morning.

If you aren’t sure of the area you can ask the Reps or attend the welcome meeting on the Sunday evening after you arrive. This is also a chance to book any activities you wish to get involved in. La Plagne is home to the Olympic Bobsleigh Run which we can highly recommend for any thrill seekers.

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After many years of skiing holidays in Belle Plagne (one of the other ski villages in La Plagne) we knew that the La Plagne ski area had a lot to offer families, but with no accommodation options large enough in Belle Plagne for a family of six, we opted for Les Chalets Edelweiss Apartments in Plagne 1800.Β This is ideal for families as it is ski door to door, near a sledge park and it has a swimming pool on site.Β The apartments are spacious and there is plenty of room for travel cots etc. You can rent a travel cot and high chair for a cost of 25 euros for the week directly at reception.

With young children we always find the freedom of self-catering works best for us. Having access to a microwave, fridge and kettle and having more than one room in terms of private space always makes things easier. The sound-proofing in the apartments is good too, so you don’t need to worry too much if little ones are waking at night, or there is some rowdy bath play going on.

I think once children get past the age of five or six other options such as hotels or catered chalets become possibilities, but with very young children we don’t feel that works so well. Chatting to another family whilst away who just had one 10 year old, they actually said they struggled for a whole week just having a hotel room, so I think this is an issue for all sorts of families.

Having stayed in lots of apartments in the Alps I have to say that these are some of the best. They are much smarter and better kept than a lot of accommodation you find. You come to learn that most apartments have a few things that are either wrong or seem a little odd but that is the nature of ski apartments and where you are. For example, the master bedroom and lounge areas were huge in this apartment but the the kitchen was tiny and the bulk of the small work space area was taken up by a huge coffee machine.

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Two toilets and a separate bath and shower we were hoping would be quite useful but the shower was pitch black as there was no light fitting in there and the door didn’t shut. These are the sort of quirks that are the general theme across ski accommodation and that is the case whomever you book with.

The balcony looked right over the piste and there was a stunning view of the mountains. Oh how we love the mountains, and you can see how close we were to the piste which is always such a bonus to maximise ski time.

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If you do consider The Edelweiss as an option and plan on using the swimming pool, it would be useful to know in advance that there are no real changing facilities and no baby change. After a disastrous first trip, we learnt to go down the the pool dressed in our swimming stuff with minimal clothing over the top. You only have to go outside briefly so it is manageable and there just isn’t the space to store bulky clothing or big boots, particularly during peek times when the ski lifts close. There was also a sauna available which you could book separately. For non-skiers you would be best to use the swimming pool between about 10am and 3pm as it was very quiet during that time.

If you fancy swimming outside in a heated pool with the mountains around you, head to Plagne Bellecote, one of the other villages. You can also find lots of other things to do there including snow zorbing after the lifts close. You can catch the bubble lift up to Belle Plagne from there as well. We spent one late afternoon there, sledging and the children had pancakes and ice cream…although this little one preferred to just eat the snow!

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There is a ski hire shop outside the accommodation but Crystal use one further away so you will need to prepare your family for a walk down to the hire shop and a long slow trek back up with all the ski gear. For ease, take a bag with you to carry the ski boots, or perhaps a sledge if the road is covered with snow (it was cleared everyday we were there). We had to do this is stages on the first day as it simply was not possible to carry four pairs of ski boots, four pairs of skis, poles and two toddlers back up the hill in one go.

The people in the ski shop are super. Very friendly and nothing is too much trouble. You get good advice and if you need to pop back for anything then they will be more than happy to help you out. We popped back at the end of the week so one of the children could get some poles to try and we were in and out in less than a minute. Superb service with a smile!

We have previously used ESF for the children’s ski school and the meet point was just outside the front of the Edelweiss accommodation. Crystal use El Pro which meant starting at Plagne Centre, one of the other villages. Crystal can offer a mini bus or you can catch the free local bus (Number 1) or ski over to the meet point. The ski instructors were very good with the children and they made huge progress during the week. We were able to ski as a family everyday as the children had lessons in the morning and then practiced what they had learnt with us when we picked them up. I am so proud of everything they achieved and they were really proud of themselves too. Take a look!

At the end of the week both the children had an exam to assess their progress and were both over the moon when they passed with flying colours!

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For the two youngest Crystal had a childcare option which we went for. For children who are too young for ski school there is the Pepi Penguin Nursery (6 months-4 years), which was very like what a UK nursery setting would offer, with the added bonus of snowplay time and adventures on the local buses and cable cars. You pay for full days in the childcare but you can collect the children at any time so that you can enjoy spending time together as a family, sledging, bum boarding, swimming, walking and so on.

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The girls who cared for the children were superb and we felt happy and confident leaving the boys with them. Their programme of activities was fantastic and the boys have each come home with a gorgeous selection of art work that they produced during the week.

If you have children in ski school you can opt to put them into Whizz Kids Club or Whizzclusive, which is the wrap around care that means the staff would take the children to lessons and care for them in the nursery or on similar adventures the rest of the time, similar to an after school club. We didn’t opt for this as for us a family holiday is about specifically spending as much time together as a family as possible, but there is that option available if you need it. The Crystal childcare staff put on a presentation at the end of the week to present all the children with their certificates and folders. The staff really were superb and made a real effort with the children. We were kept informed by text as to how the boys were during their time there and given a report at the end of each day.

The first day was a blue sky skiing day. Those are always some of the best skiing days when the conditions are great and probably my favourite skiing days. Having said that, I do love it when it snows and it’s so magical. We had several days and nights of snow which was amazing. Thursday was poor visibility and flat light, but you expect that at some point and have to learn to ski in all conditions to make the most of it. Friday was amazing blue skies again, the perfect last day!

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The scenery is truly spectacular and I honestly struggle to convey just how much I adore this part of the world. The tree-lined routes are gorgeous and the snow looks so magical dripping from the branches, but then of course you go up high and see sights like this….picnic on top of the clouds anyone?

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The temperatures were far milder this year to anything we have ever known before. Years ago when we went one January temperatures were as low as -20 in Belle Plagne. This time temperatures barely made it into the minus figures. I hope that doesn’t affect the rest of the season too badly for all the other holidaymakers still to travel, as this obviously has an effect on the snow.

I don’t think I’ve ever known so much variation of snow in one run.Β Halfway through the week we headed down a black run back into Plagne 1800 where it was powder at the top, ice in the middle and slush at the end.

By the last day the temperatures had dropped quite a bit and that was much better for the snow. Blue skies and cold crisp conditions…bliss, but of course colder for the little people.

We never want to leave the mountains and say goodbye to the snow and this year was no exception. For families, skiing is an incredible holiday and one I’d choose over and over again for us. Skiing holidays are also hard work for families and require a lot of planning and coordination. Work out how long you need to get everyone going in the morning and add on a contingency of about 1h30!

Before we left home to head for the mountains we download a super app that Crystal have developed with a whole range of features including:

  • Maps of resort and pistes
  • Resort guide
  • Snow report
  • Ski tracking
  • My friends (so you can keep track of where everyone is)
  • Recommend routes

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For groups, the ‘my friends’ part of the app would be really useful I imagine but the feature I used most was the ski tracking. I was able to see that I recorded a top speed of 64 km/h during the week and we covered around 25 km each day. This was a really good feature and very useful. I’ve never used anything like that before so it was really useful and informative. Well done Crystal!

Crystal have some great deals on for families which are worth looking at, you might still be able to pick up a bargain and get in some family skiing before the season ends. We’ve looked at all sorts of resorts over the years and tried skiing in lots of different places but still, so far nowhere quite compares to the La Plagne ski area. La Plagne is also connected to Les Arcs by cable car, making it one of the largest ski areas in the world.

Great for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiiers (and boarders if that’s your thing) La Plagne is our ‘Happy Place’.

Here’s a little taster of what to expect!

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236 comments

  1. My kids were only talking about skiing yesterday and how unfair it is that we don’t go. It does look like an amazing experience for children and a great winter break for all the family. Do join me for Country Kids if you get a moment. I love the video it really does look such fun and well done the kids on passing their exam with flying colours. #ShareWithMe

  2. Some great tips for families here- thank you!! I’ve tried skiing before the children came along and it wasn’t exactly my favourite holiday but I know I’ll be going again at some point so as to give the children the experience too- maybe they’ll teach me a thing or two! Love the app feature enabling you to track your friends/ family- after spending mornings in ski school it used to feel quite lonely not knowing where on earth in the mountains my companions were but this would fill me with much more confidence πŸ™‚

    1. Exactly ! The app is a great idea, not something I’ve ever thought of but would be great with a big group and enable people to meet up more easily I think as well πŸ™‚

  3. It looks like a great holiday! I’ve never been skiing myself, but I visited my friend’s chalet in the Alps once, and it was so beautiful. #TwinklyTuesday

  4. Wow, I went snow skiing twice with my school to Austria and had the best time ever, it is my dream to go snow skiing again one day. We are actually planning it for our honeymoon next February! and once the children are a little older we will take them, I will definitely check out Crystal Ski πŸ™‚ #TriedTested

  5. Looks like you had an amazing time! You know we are huge ski lovers and love also seeing British people skiing as the lack of ski slopes means not many go for this amazing sport. Loved watching your kids ski videos and the last one with photos! Hope we take our girls to the Alps next year too, Isabelle is very ready, an intermediate skier so will be getting the most out of it and Olivia can finally start improving too. Thanks for linking #FitnessTueday

  6. I have been begging my hubby to take us all skiing. I used to snowboard all the time but would love to learn how to ski someday. This looks amazing and the kids look like they had a blast. Those views WOW! Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. Sorry to be late commenting we have my mother visiting from America. πŸ™‚ Thanks for joining in. #sharewithme

  7. I’ve never been skiing – I’m definitely more of a sunshine holiday kinda girl.
    Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x

  8. We’ve just got back from Whistler and I TOTALLY get the skiing thing – it is the whole package: A fun thing to do together plus you are in the most scenic of places!

    Your kids looked like they really came on – so lovely to see. Interesting you got the snow train out, that used to be the disco train when I was in my 20s!

    #sharethejoylinky

  9. Sounds fabulous !!! Absolutely love skiing … not been brave enough to take the kids yet !!

  10. Wow, it looks like you have an amazing time. I totally agree about train travel and we often opt for train over car as you’ve got the freedom to walk around.. I didn’t get to go skiing until I was a teenager and even then I’ve only done it again once. I am not sure that we will get the opportunity to go skiing as a family for quite a while, not regularly at least, but nether the less one day! #fitnesstuesday

  11. My husband was posted to Zurich for 3 years. I had never skied and neither had the kids. Son (13) wanted to learn to snowboard as it was “cooler than skiing”, so of course daughter (10) agreed with him. I contacted the snowboard school in Laax, who said that if I booked a private lesson for 2, then the 3rd person was free. Hence it was determined that I would learn to snowboard in my mid 40s! It definitely worked out for the best. Son, who skateboards, picked it up right away and was soon speeding off down the slopes and doing tricks. Daughter found it harder, but the real dunce of the class was me. I think if daughter had been in a lesson with just her older brother, she would have got discouraged, but because I was always falling over, she could feel superior and therefore persevered and became a very competent snowboarder. Alas, I was never much good, but I did enjoy it in spite of all the falls and bruises. I love when someone asks if I ski and I can say: “No, I snowboard instead” and they look so surprised.

    1. Good for you Fiona – don’t you love that element of surprise! How amazing that you lived there and had that opportunity, that would be amazing. Thanks for reading and sharing your experience πŸ™‚

  12. Sounds good – i would love to take the kids skiing! I have never been myself either so it would be a great adventure!

  13. I have broached the subject of skiing as a family holiday but the OH has always said a resounding no, I may print this off and leave it lying strategically around in an attempt to change his mind!!!

  14. I love ski-ing and have always wanted my children to learn, time to start researching, thanks for the info!

  15. Wow I’d be too nervous to go skiing myself but it looks like great fun, the kids look like they had a wonderful time.

  16. Looks and sounds great! I must admit I have never been on a skiing holiday in my life but do feel I am missing out now! I think I’ll add it to my bucket list of things to do before I kick the bucket!

  17. Great holiday. I hope I will go skiing in 2 years time when my kids will be little bit older

  18. I have never been ski-ing before but something would like to do with the family and have lots of fun

  19. Looks fab I’ve not been skiing but my cousin is a rep and is always trying to convince me to go

  20. Looks like you had a great trip! I never learnt to ski as a child, but really wish my parents had taken me.

  21. never been skiing myself, the cold snow just doesn’t appeal to me. I am more laying by the pool kind of girl.

  22. My husband has been snowboarding quite a few times. We are looking to have a family snow holiday in the next couple of years.

  23. i went skiing once when i was 14 (15 years ago!) loved it, such a thrilling experience, would love to go again.

  24. Looked like you all had a wonderful time. There’s just something magical about snow that melts the hearts of children and adults alike. x

  25. It’s lovely that you’ve kept the traditional alive with your own children, I love the pics, absolutely stunning!

  26. This has been such an interesting read. I have to say that skiing has never appealed to me, but looking at how much fun you had and how great it can be for kids has definitely opened my eyes a bit – thank you!

  27. Looks wonderful. Learn to ski when I was 10 one of the best experience ever. It is a fantastic experience with the children. I was born and grow up in France and The Alps are a beautiful scenery. Do they still give little pin with flakes depending on their achievements on the poster? Looks like you had fun. Awesome photos and videos.

  28. Oh gosh I really want to go on a skiing holiday now! I’m not sure I could convince my husband so might have to be a girls holiday ;D x

  29. I’ve always wanted to try skiing but have always been too scared of hurting myself (am not the most physically competent person to put it mildly!). Might have to have a go on the dry slopes and maybe I’ll lose some of the fear! πŸ™‚

  30. Never been skiing, but would love to go, not sure about taking the little ones though

  31. Lovely photos I have never been skiing well only at Stanley head when I was younger but it’s not the same. I’d love to go in the future x

  32. Looks like an amazing holiday making memories with your kids. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  33. Looks a great holiday.. I have never been skiing but would love to try maybe with the family and grandkids make a whole family event as I can see how your children loved it

  34. I’ve always wanted to go on a skiing holiday and this makes me want to go even more! The views are simply breathtaking

  35. It looks like you had a lovely holiday together, I’d love to go skiing but unfortunately I have Reynolds despise of the circulation so would probably turn into an ice statue x

  36. Looks like you had great fun, I’ve never been lucky enough to go skiing but would to try it, my son has been dry slop skiing and loved it .x

  37. What an amazing adventure, I’ve never tried skiing. I don’t think I’m brave enough to!

  38. It sounds wonderful! I have always wanted to go skiing but never had the confidence to try. You all seemed to have a lovely holiday though.

  39. I’ve never seen the appeal of skiing – it just seems like another way to break my neck while falling down a hill with a couple of planks strapped to my feet – but for those who love the activity this review provides a very clear oversight of what this resort offers for families.

  40. This is a great insight to what skiing with children is like, I love how you talk about all aspects.

  41. looks so much fun, ive never been skiing, would love to but worry about falling on my bum haha!

  42. I went skiing when I was younger and loved it, but I think I’d be too nervous to take my children!

  43. Some really great info here and great to see you’ve carried something on with your own family πŸ™‚

  44. Never been skiing. Think I was too afraid to try when I was in school in case I broke something. Wish my parents had taken me when I was young.

  45. I would love to take my children skiing when they’re a bit older, I never went as a child and it’s something I would love them to experience

  46. Looks great, my family would love to go ski-ing, we are looking at Wengen in Switzerland for next year

  47. Wow, looks amazing! Being disabled skiing is not something I’m able to do now, was on my wish list years ago though – looks like you had a great time!

    1. Thanks for reading – it always amazes me how many adapted skiing chairs and devices you see on the slopes these days, some people are fearless, it’s wonderful to see

  48. I have never been skiing, have always wanted to but wondered the practacalties now with a child, great post!

  49. It looks amazing but after breaking my ankle when I was younger I found the ski boots make my ankle swell and I must admit I would be so scared to take my three rather clumsy children on a ski slope.

  50. It looks amazing!! I’ve never been skiing but would really love to try it one day! …. I’m so clumsy though I’d be worried I’d come home with an injury!!

  51. I’d love to go skiing but never thought of attempting it with young children, might have to start saving as your trip looks like so much fun!

  52. It looks amazing! I’ve only been on a ‘dry’ ski slope, where I ended up soaked, and spent all day falling over! My kids of course were brilliant at it!

  53. What a lovely blog post. Really enjoyed reading this. I’ve always wanted to go skiing and would love to take my family.
    Looks like so much fun!

  54. Fab!!! Im personally more of a sunshine and beach person but I bet my Teen daughter would LOVE to give this a go!! Looks like great fun was had by all x

  55. Looks amazing, I’d really like to try skiing but the thought of it frightens me immensely !!!

  56. you look like you had an ace time… for me I can barely stay up right on solid ground I’d be spending my time on my butt! lol

  57. I love skiing – but haven’t been for years. Not sure how my kids would fare…though looks like yours enjoyed it.

  58. This is a really helpful review thanks for writing about definitely something for us to consider. I’m sure my kids would be super thrilled to do something like this.

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