Skiing is a strenuous sport, so it’s important to warm up and stretch your muscles to get your body prepared. This will help with injury prevention and enhance your performance on the slopes. Skiing requires flexibility, so warming up properly will help your muscles react faster and protect your joints. If you are new to skiing you may be using muscle groups that you haven’t used that much before, so don’t worry if you feel a bit achy after a day on the slopes.

It’s equally as important to stretch your muscles after skiing as it is beforehand. This will aid with recovery, so you feel fresh and ready to go the next day.

Watch a full warm-up routine with a top Maison Sport instructor to give you some ideas!

Skiing is difficult to master and it can be very challenging when you are a complete beginner to the sport. When learning to ski, it’s important to go into each day with a positive attitude. Take in the views and the thrill of skiing in the mountains. It’s not every day that you can experience this! Skiing is about having fun and pushing yourself. But it takes time and practice, so don't get ahead of yourself.

Start slow and be patient with yourself! Embrace the learning journey and celebrate every small improvement. With the right attitude and some perseverance, you’ll be skiing with perfect technique in no time!

When skiing, it’s incredibly important to learn the mountain rules and etiquette. Be sure to observe all signs, weather warnings and slope markers. Be aware of skiers around you and try to maintain a safe distance. You should always yield to skiers downhill and be considerate of others. It is important to be decisive and clear with your movements when turning or stopping so that other skiers can plan their route safely around you.

Check out the Piste X Code for more information about safety rules on the piste.

When skiing for the first time, make sure that you are kitted out with the correct equipment. The essential equipment needed for skiing includes; a fitted pair of skis and boots, ski poles and a helmet. You should also invest in appropriate clothing such as; ski goggles, salopettes, a ski jacket, base layers, ski gloves and ski socks to keep you warm and dry on the mountain.

Check out our ski equipment guide and ski trip packing list to make sure that you have everything you need for the slopes.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance that covers snowsports!

The safest and most efficient way to learn how to ski is by booking lessons with a professional ski instructor. Skiing is a highly technical sport, and having a ski instructor teach you the correct technique can make a huge difference in your skiing ability and your overall holiday experience. Learning the correct technique at the beginning of your skiing journey is crucial – you don’t want to develop any bad habits! Your instructor will also take you to the best areas for your ability, teach you how to correctly use equipment and about the different types of ski lifts in the resort.

If you are a beginner, booking a ski instructor is always a good idea!

If you follow these 5 top tips for beginner skiers you’ll be ready and prepared for your first skiing experience and will be sure to have a fantastic time on the slopes!

For more skiing tips and tutorials check out Maison Sport’s YouTube Channel or visit their website to book ski lessons across more than 430 European ski resorts.

We understand that planning a first ski holiday for beginners might feel overwhelming so we are here to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.

If you'd rather talk through everything with someone in person, then please do call Jess, Cam, Louise and Millie on 020 892 4060.

We can't wait to help you find the perfect ski holiday.

While some parents are happy to travel with a baby that’s just a few weeks old, others prefer to wait until their baby is at least 6 months old. Before booking your ski holiday, planning and preparation are key, so take the time to research family-friendly resorts and accommodation options.

If you are travelling with a young baby, we recommend choosing a ski resort with a short airport transfer time such as Morzine or Les Gets (approximately 90 minutes from Geneva airport).

It’s also worth noting that young babies can sometimes be affected by altitude so you might prefer to avoid high-altitude resorts like Val d’Isere until they are a little bit older, but you can discuss this with your GP.

At VIP SKI, we want our guests to be able to enjoy a day on the slopes, a long lunch or some much-needed relaxation time in the spa or hammam safe in the knowledge that their baby is being well looked after by our childcare team so we provide childcare for babies from 12 weeks.

In our award-winning ski hotel Bear Lodge in Arc 1950, we offer childcare in our specially designed Bear Cubs playroom. This lovely light-filled room is right on the piste and is perfect for outdoor play and easy for parents to peek without even having to pop their bindings.

On the other hand, some parents prefer to holiday with grandparents who are on hand to help with our littlest VIP guests. Morzine is one of our favourite resorts for a multi-generational ski trip. Read why here.

We also offer an evening babysitting service in our chalets on the Chalet Host's night off on request so that friends and family can enjoy a special meal together in the resort.

Teaching very young children to ski requires patience and careful consideration. While some parents (especially ski instructors) may introduce their baby to the joys of skiing from as early as age 1, this is not something that we would recommend. Most under-4s get cold and fed up incredibly quickly and much prefer building snowmen, sledging and riding in the bubble lifts.

Start by exposing your baby to the snow environment and gradually introduce them to skiing through play and gentle movements. If you’re really keen to give them a taste of skiing, then we recommend hiring a pair of plastic skis that strap on to their snowboots and letting them have a slide on a very gentle hill on the nursery slopes.

Packing for a ski holiday with a baby requires a bit of forward planning. It’s not always easy to find baby items in a ski resort if you forget something important. Here is a link to our printable Packing Checklist.

When choosing accommodation for your ski holiday, opt for family-friendly options that cater to the needs of babies and young children. Look for chalets or hotels that offer amenities such as cots, highchairs and baby-proofing services. Consider the location of the accommodation in relation to the ski slopes and childcare facilities and ensure that it meets your family's specific requirements.

To make things easier and save on valuable suitcase space, at VIP SKI, you can pre-order essential baby items up to two weeks before you travel with us and nappies, wipes, and infant formula can be delivered to your chalet before your trip. (Please note that swim nappies are not available to pre-order so if you’re staying in one of our chalets with a swimming pool or Bear Lodge, you might want to bring a handful if you have a baby who loves the water!)

We can also provide the following items free of charge upon request:

• Sterilisers 
• Changing mats 
• Potties 
• Bed guards 
• Buggies 
• Toilet steps 
• Toilet seats 
• Table booster seats 
• Stair gates (available in selected chalets) 
• Children’s cutlery and crockery 

Top tip: Although we do have 3-wheeler buggies that you can borrow in resort, we recommend bringing a baby carrier to use at the airport when you’re boarding and waiting for your luggage at Geneva and if there is going to be lots of fresh snow during your holiday.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy with a 1-year-old on a ski trip such as sledging, building snowmen or simply exploring the village together. Lots of ski resorts (and many of our chalets) have swimming pools and soft play areas that are fun to visit.

You might have seen videos of people skiing with their baby in a baby carrier but we would NEVER recommend this as it is incredibly dangerous. Not only does it expose your baby to becoming very cold without you realising but the potential for accidents, such as falls or collisions with other skiers, makes it simply not worth the risk.

Many ski resorts allow babies on pedestrian ski lifts, but it's best to check beforehand. Ensure that your baby is securely held in your arms or a carrier and that you're prepared for any weather conditions.

Older babies and toddlers love going up and down in bubble lifts or cable cars (there is so much to see!) and it can be a nice way to join up with the rest of the family or group of skiers for lunch or a hot chocolate.

In Val d’Isere, we recommend taking the La Daille gondola up to the Folie Douce, the Solaise cable car up to the Refuge du Solaise restaurant (The gondolas are open 7 days a week from 9am to 4:30pm) or the Fornet cable car up to Le Signal restaurant.

If you're staying in Morzine, why not take the Pleney gondola up to join your family or friends for lunch at Snack Le Pleney accessible on foot from the top of lift? (Restaurant open daily from 9am to 5.30pm.)

From Bear Lodge in Arc 1950, Les Chalets de L'Arc is a great place to go for lunch or a hot chocolate with the rest of the gang. (Restaurant open daily from 9am to 5pm.) 

Skiing with a baby can be a wonderful way to introduce your little one to the joys of the mountains and create cherished family memories that will last a lifetime. With some careful planning, it's possible to enjoy a memorable ski holiday with your baby, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery and the joy of the slopes.

So, pack your bags, bundle up your baby and get ready for an unforgettable family adventure in the snow!

Find out more about our Family Ski Holidays and childcare.

Our nannies get booked up very quickly, so it is vital to book your childcare early, especially for peak school holiday weeks.

We are already taking childcare bookings for next season so get in touch and have a chat with Lou, Cam, Millie or Jess about your childcare requirements.

Ask anyone who’s taken their kids skiing before and you’ll know that one of the most important things to do is finding accommodation as close as you can get to the beginners’ slopes. That isn’t always possible of course, because ski-in, ski-out accommodation is naturally more expensive than properties that are at the edge of the resort. In which case, look for a place that’s near a stop for the resort’s shuttle bus instead. Reducing the time your children need to spend walking around in their boots will make life so much easier.

Some hotels offer childcare which is an appealing prospect for many parents - Hello, wine o’clock. Our award-winning ski hotel, Bear Lodge in Les Arcs offers a Pyjama Club for parents who would like dinner in peace and children who aren’t quite ready for bed. Cinema nights, stories, popcorn, hot chocolate or quiet games or colouring before bedtime. Available from Monday to Saturday from 7pm-9.30pm for children over the age of 5, €10 per child per night, €5 per sibling. Subject to availability.

We also offer a Listening Service for children in your room or suite whilst you enjoy a drink at the bar. €10 per hour. Subject to availability.

But others prefer to rent a family ski chalet instead, enabling them to create a relaxed ‘home away from home’ vibe where parents can put young children to bed, grab the baby monitor and relax with a drink while dinner is being prepared.

Top tip: If children are occupying a third or fourth bed in a room in a VIP SKI chalet or hotel room, they will normally be eligible for a discount of up to 50% off the adult price. (Child discount not applicable with group discount)

Our guide to packing for your first ski holiday contains good advice on layering and the essential items of clothing you’ll need. With kids, remember to double-up on things like gloves and socks. They’re indispensable, but often the things that go missing or get soaking wet first. You might also want to think about attaching gloves to ski jackets with elastic for very young children so they don’t lose them halfway through lessons.

We recommend arriving at the resort the day before you start skiing. That gives you time to sort out your lift passes and equipment with no need to rush around. Ski hire shops are usually less busy during the afternoons, and if you go at a quieter time the staff will have more time to make sure your child gets a good fit. There is little point buying expensive skis, boots or jackets for children as they grow so quickly.

Renting ski equipment from a company such as EcoSki or borrowing from friends is a much wiser approach and there is lots of pre-loved children’s ski kit for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and Vinted.

Top tip: Allow yourselves plenty of time to get ready every morning. You may find that you get to the lifts a little later yourself but it’s a sacrifice worth making.

In almost every case, it’s best for children to join ski school. You may feel capable of teaching them yourself, but by doing so you risk passing on your own bad habits and, let’s face it, you probably want to want to enjoy some time away from the nursery slopes during your holiday too! You can help to prepare them by arranging a couple of lessons on an artificial slope before you go on holiday.

With ski lessons for kids, it’s important to allow them to learn at their own pace, and not to rush them or compare them to others. Patience and flexibility are key. At this stage it’s more about them enjoying themselves and gaining confidence on the slopes, rather than perfecting their technique.

Don’t overdo it with the lessons - exhaustion can quickly lead to frustration. Give the instructor your phone number and put a copy of it in your child’s pocket as well. A couple of hours in ski school every day is more than enough, perhaps followed by a bit of practice with parents if they are up for it. In the afternoons, be sure to schedule in some rest time, whether it’s in front of the TV, napping or playing board games.

If this is your kids’ second or third time skiing, you might want to look for a resort with plenty of blues and a few easy reds, to give them a bit more of a challenge. For first-timers however, you can pretty much go anywhere as they are unlikely to progress beyond a few gentle slopes in the first week.

Top tip: Beginner skiers shouldn’t need a lift pass as most nursery slope ski lifts are free.

When skiing with kids, opt for a resort where there are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer. You might take them to the top of the mountain in a gondola, so they can enjoy the view with a hot chocolate, go sledging, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Some resorts have kids’ clubs too where your children can make friends of their own age. And always leave one afternoon free to build a snowman!

Top tip: Either bring a bag of high-energy snacks with you or buy some from the resort supermarket on arrival. Your kids will race through them.

A few things to remember before you depart on your family ski holiday:

●       Ensure that all clothes you’ve bought or borrowed for your children fit beforehand. It will be a lot more expensive to sort out in resort.

●       Check that your travel insurance policy covers skiing. It’s one less thing to worry about.

●       Pack plenty of suncream, even if you are expecting cloudy conditions. Keep one tube in your backpack so that even if you forget to apply it in the mornings, you can do it on arrival at ski school.

●       Show your children a few skiing videos on a site such as YouTube. It’s important for them to know that falling over a lot is part of learning to ski, and that they will be tired, cold and maybe even scared at times.

●       They will be fully briefed by their instructor, but drum into your kids that while skiing is an opportunity to have fun and mess around in the snow, it’s vital to be sensible and careful when using ski lifts.

If you're thinking about booking your next family ski holiday but still have some questions, our friendly and knowledgeable sales team are on hand to help you find the perfect catered ski chalet or hotel.

We can also help you pre-book ski passes, ski equipment and ski lessons to make your holiday with children as stress-free as possible. 

This free-flowing red piste is often overlooked. Tucked at the top of the Manchet Valley, it's a run to nowhere, so ignored by anyone wanting to "travel" across the Espace Killy.

The first third is the perfect place to pick up the speed and practise carving. Split into three steeper pitches followed by gentle sections. You'll be able to push yourself safely, knowing there is a section to regroup and, if needed, regain control.

The middle third is nice and wide with a consistent gradient. This is another excellent place for advanced skiers to practise long carved turns, but the pitch doesn't change, so work on controlling your speed with your turn shape. If you want to take it easier, this is a great place to practise short turns.

With a little dog leg, the final third is the steepest pitch of the run. It's worth scrubbing a little speed as a sharpish right-hand turn can be crowded with people regrouping.

There is nothing not to love about this run. It's quiet, has a great rhythm and can be enjoyed by intermediate and advanced skiers, so it is perfect if you're skiing as a mixed group.

Despite not going anywhere, the lift back out of the Manchet Valley is the modern Manchet Express, so you'll be back at the top in no time. We regularly lap this run with our Advanced Ski Courses.

It is one of several red runs above La Daille, perfect for advanced skiers seeking a challenge. The OK is a famous downhill course that lets you test your skills on a world-class racing slope.

The piste descends more than 1000m in altitude from the top of the Bellevarde at 2800m to La Daille at 1785m. World Cup skiers make it top to bottom in about 1 minute 45 seconds.

Don't just ski this run once. You'll find incredible rollers, open sections and exciting turns as you ski the run. Learn these and build a picture in your mind. Work out which rollers you can jump off, where you can let your skis run and crank some incredible carved turns and where you need to scrub the speed and get back on top of things.

Then, put it all together. Have a go at skiing from top to bottom. You won't regret it.

An ungroomed black run feared by students on their BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructors) exams, Piste S is a complete change of pace from the previous fast and flowing runs. The moguls here only get bigger as the season goes on. If you want a challenge, look no further.

We suggest skiing this run later in the day once the sun has had a chance to soften the snow. If you find yourself at the top of Piste S after heavy snow, beware. It might look lovely and smooth, but the bumps are right there, lurking beneath the surface.

We have a whole article on skiing moguls if you want some tips. 

Yes - it's technically three pistes, but they link together perfectly to form a continuous run from the top of Solaise to the snow front. Plan is a steep red run perfect for short turns. Please keep your eyes peeled for other skiers, as it can be busy.

We love skiing on the right-hand side of the piste as this is often a little quieter with better snow. It also makes it easier to find the junction to Rhone Alpes.

Rhone Alpes is an excellent black run for those jumping from red to black. It has steep sections followed by flatter runouts, is nice and quiet and is regularly groomed by the piste bashers. Confident black run skiers won't be bored as they can test themselves on the steep sections with a great safety net if it doesn't go to plan.

Combe Martin is steep, often bumpy and right under the lift, so you always have an audience. We love this run, as you can see from the top right to the bottom. Stop at the top and practise picking and visualising your line. Then ski it with intent, turn where you planned, and fight to keep that rhythm rather than react to each turn individually. Building that rhythm and skiing with intent is a significant part of improving your skills.

It's an obvious run to include on the list, and you've probably already decided to ski it. So here are our top tips.

This iconic black run was designed for the men's Olympic downhill at the 1992 Winter Olympics. La Face plunges down the mountain from the top of the Bellevarde cable car, offering steep, challenging terrain with a vertical drop of over 900 metres. When skiing this run with clients, we often break it into three main sections.

The Cable Car to the Road: This top section starts super cruisy. It's not steep compared to the rest of the run and has some brilliant sweeping corners and fun rollers. As you exit the second sweeping left-hand turn, start to kill some speed. As you approach the sharp right-hand turn onto the road, the run gets steeper and narrower. If you're with a group and know you have a couple of nervous skiers, you can take some time and regroup on the far right-hand side of the piste in the middle of the second sweeping left. The piste is wide here, and you'll spot an obvious place to stop. The right-hand turn onto the road is sharp. Make sure you're ready. The Road is a short, narrow section that takes you to the top of the Wall.

The Wall to the Pylon: The Wall is the steepest section of the run, dropping away sharply to the left from the road. It's nice and wide but best skied early in the day before it gets bumped up. A word of warning: at the bottom of the Wall, there is a prominent roller. Make sure you're in control of your speed. We have seen people so focused on surviving the steep section that they don't even realise it's there. They hit it at speed and go flying. Between this roller and the pylon, you have another two steep sections followed by incredibly fun rollers.

The Pylon to the Snowfront: The Home Straight. Consistently steep, nice and wide, with just one roller to worry about. It's the perfect place to nail those short slalom turns. This section is used for the men's World Cup Slalom at the start of the season. The piste is often injected with water to make the snow firmer (icier). It takes a good few snowfalls for the fresh snow to cover this, so be cautious early in the season.

The team of Ski and Snowboard Instructors at New Generation are available for Private Ski and Snowboard Lessons, Group Coaching or Off-piste Guiding. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to relax and unwind after a day conquering the infamous red and black runs in Val d’Isere, we have 18 luxury catered ski chalets to tempt you...

Which ski run will you tackle first?

This auction is running exclusively to help raise funds for Max with all monies going to Max’s Winter Sports Foundation. Money raised will help towards to the considerable medical, kit, training, transport and accommodation costs as Max gets off the operating table, back onto the hill and focuses once again on races at events across Europe with the goal of qualifying once again for the 2025 World Junior Championships.

Bear Lodge is the heart and soul of our piste-side resort in the centre of Arc 1950. Just 30 bedrooms right on the edge of the piste and opposite the chairlifts. There is a spacious lounge, bar and dining room plus pool complex with sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, massage suites, exercise room, cinema, kids playroom and ski room with lockers and boot warmers.

Just a short walk across the piste is the completely charming and rather magical traffic free village of Arc 1950 with its charismatic shops, cafés, bars and restaurants.

When?

Those placing the two highest offers can choose to travel week commencing 10 March, 17 March or 7 April 2024.

• 7-night stay in Bear Lodge for 2 people (week commencing 10 March, 17 March or 7 April 2024) 
• Choice of complimentary coach transfer from/to Geneva 
• Daily breakfast, afternoon tea and 3 course evening meal followed by cheese & coffee 
• Wine included with dinner 
• Canapés on first and last evenings 

The value of each stay is £3000-£3500, depending on when you chose to travel but there is no reserve and the two 7-night stays will be sold to the highest bidders.

The following items are not included in the bid price but can be pre-booked at a supplement: Lift passes; Ski equipment hire; Ski lessons; Childcare; Private taxi transfers.

Flights and insurance are not included.

Simply fill out the form before midnight on Saturday 11 February 2024 clearly stating your full name, bid value and contact phone number. The winners will be contacted on Monday 12 February.

Remember all money will be going directly into Max’s Trust. Support GB Skiing and experience the 2023 Best New Ski Hotel in the world. What’s not to like?

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.