Childcare on a Ski Holiday: The Nannies Behind the Magic

When families book a ski holiday, the first things they usually think about are the snow, the skiing and the chalet.

But if you’re travelling with young children, another question is just as important: Who will be looking after them?

At VIP SKI, our childcare teams are a huge part of the experience for families in resort. Across our chalets in the French Alps, our nannies care for babies, toddlers and young children throughout the week - helping them settle into mountain life, build confidence in the snow and have enormous fun along the way.

It’s a role that requires far more than simply supervising playtime. From helping tiny skiers into their first boots to drying snowy mittens after outdoor adventures, our nannies bring warmth, patience and energy to every day.

For many children, their first magical memories of the mountains begin right here.

Looking after children in a ski resort is very different from childcare at home.

Mountain weather changes quickly, children are often experiencing snow for the first time, and families rely on childcare so they can enjoy their own time on the slopes.

A typical day for our nannies might include:

• Helping little ones get wrapped up for snowy adventures
• Building snowmen, sledging and outdoor play
• Walking children to ski lessons or meeting instructors
• Baking some tasty treats with the children to eat up on the mountain
• Warming cold hands and drying gloves after a morning in the snow
• Cooking and preparing home cooked meals for their lunches
• Quiet time or naps for younger guests
• Going for a walk in the snowy village for a hot chocolate
• Games, crafts and storytelling indoors when the weather turns
• Arts & craft activities for different occasions such as Christmas, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day and Easter
• Sensory play for little ones!

Supporting our childcare teams across the Alps is Lucy, our Childcare Manager, who oversees recruitment, training and standards each season.

Lucy works closely with our resort teams to ensure every nanny is prepared for the unique environment of working in the mountains. From adapting to snowy conditions to helping children feel confident and settled, her role ensures that childcare remains one of the most trusted parts of a VIP SKI holiday.

Her leadership helps maintain the warm, professional and family-focused culture that our guests rely on.

Parents often see the happy end result, children returning from their day full of stories about sledging, snow games and new friends.

What they don’t always see are the small moments that make those memories possible.

• A nervous first ski lesson that ends in proud smiles
• A toddler comforted after a tumble in the snow
• A shy child who arrives on Sunday and leaves on Friday with newfound confidence

Each winter, our nanny teams become a trusted part of the VIP SKI family holiday experience. They are educators, entertainers, comforters and adventure leaders, often all within the same morning.

So this week we wanted to pause and recognise the extraordinary people who look after our youngest guests. Their patience, energy and laughter echo across the snow every day, helping children feel safe, happy and excited to return tomorrow.

And for parents, knowing their children are in such caring hands makes a ski holiday all the more relaxing.