A family winter holiday overseas can be an unforgettable adventure. For Australian families, experiencing real winter weather, playing in the snow or taking the children skiing can feel very different from a typical beach holiday at home.
But travelling somewhere genuinely cold with children requires a little more preparation.
Whether you are planning a ski holiday in Japan, a European Christmas break, a snow trip to New Zealand, or simply visiting a cold-weather destination, temperatures can be dramatically lower than anything your family is used to. Add snow, unfamiliar roads, specialist equipment and different accommodation, and there are plenty of things worth considering before you leave Australia.
Good preparation can make the difference between children happily building snowmen and everyone retreating indoors after 20 minutes because somebody’s socks are soaked.
Here is what you should think about when planning a winter holiday overseas.
Choose your destination with the whole family in mind
A destination can look spectacular in photographs and still not be the easiest choice for a family with young children.
If you are planning to ski or snowboard, consider the size and layout of the resort as well as the quality of its slopes. Look for beginner areas, children’s ski schools, childcare facilities and accommodation that is close to the lifts or other activities.
A huge ski area may sound appealing to an experienced adult skier, but it may not be particularly convenient if you are travelling with toddlers or children who are still learning.
If your family is not particularly interested in skiing, look for destinations where there are plenty of non-skiing activities. Snow play, sledding, ice skating, scenic mountain railways, indoor swimming pools and local attractions can give children something to look forward to on days when nobody wants to spend hours on the slopes.
It is also worth checking how easy the destination is to reach from the airport. A cheaper resort that requires several hours of complicated transfers with tired children and heavy luggage may not actually represent better value.
Pack for layers, not just one enormous coat
One of the biggest mistakes Australian families can make is thinking that staying warm simply means buying the thickest jacket possible.
In genuinely cold conditions, layers are much more useful.
Several thinner insulating layers can trap warm air while allowing you to adjust clothing as temperatures and activity levels change. Snowsafe’s advice on clothing recommends several insulating layers and explains why materials such as wool and synthetic fibres can be more suitable for cold and wet conditions than cotton.
A practical children’s winter clothing system could include:
- A thermal or moisture-wicking base layer
- A warm insulating layer such as fleece or wool
- A waterproof and windproof outer jacket
- Waterproof snow pants or overpants
- Warm socks
- Waterproof gloves or mittens
- A warm hat where appropriate
- A properly fitted snow-sports helmet for skiing or snowboarding
- Waterproof boots with good grip
- Neck protection such as a snood or neck warmer
Try not to rely on jeans or ordinary cotton clothing for snow activities. Once wet, cotton can become cold and uncomfortable, and children playing in snow have a remarkable talent for finding every available puddle.
For younger children, pack spare gloves, socks and even an extra base layer in your day bag. Wet gloves can turn a happy afternoon into a very chilly one surprisingly quickly.
What should you buy and what should you hire?
Families travelling all the way from Australia may wonder whether it is worth purchasing all the specialist equipment needed for a snow holiday, especially with excess baggage costs.
For a once-off trip, hiring can make considerably more sense.
Skis, snowboards, boots, poles and some specialist clothing can generally be hired at ski destinations, including in children’s sizes.
Children also grow quickly, so buying expensive ski equipment that may be outgrown before the next winter holiday can be difficult to justify.
For most families, it can make sense to purchase the personal items that are useful throughout the holiday, such as thermal clothing, socks, gloves, waterproof boots and perhaps a good-quality jacket, while hiring skis, snowboards and boots.
If your family skis regularly, buying equipment may eventually become worthwhile. For a first or occasional snow holiday, however, hiring can reduce both the luggage you need to transport and the amount of money tied up in equipment.
Book children’s equipment in advance where possible, particularly during school holidays, when popular sizes can become limited.
Keep children safe on the slopes
If your children are skiing or snowboarding, make sure their helmets are designed specifically for snow sports and fit properly.
A cycling helmet is not a substitute for a snow-sports helmet. Snowsafe’s guidance on helmets and snow-sports protection explains the importance of appropriate protective equipment and notes that helmets reduce the risk of injury but cannot eliminate it.
Children should also be supervised appropriately for their age and ability. Young children should remain under suitable adult supervision rather than simply following an older sibling around the mountain.
If your children have never skied before, professional lessons can be one of the best investments you make. Trying to teach a child yourself while simultaneously learning or improving your own skiing skills can quickly become frustrating for everyone.
Most ski resorts offer lessons for different ages and abilities. Snowsafe’s skiing guidance recommends choosing slopes appropriate to ability and notes that ski schools cater for different age groups and skill levels.
For nervous beginners, look for children’s programs with dedicated beginner areas where instructors are accustomed to working with young skiers.
Don’t underestimate the cold
Children can become cold faster than adults, particularly when they are sitting still.
This is easy to forget when you are skiing, because adults may feel warm from physical activity while a child waiting at the bottom of a slope or sitting on a chairlift is experiencing something very different.
Check your children’s hands, feet and general comfort regularly. Encourage them to come inside and warm up before they become uncomfortably cold.
Warm drinks and regular indoor breaks can make a big difference, particularly with younger children.
And remember that sunshine does not necessarily mean warmth. Alpine conditions can change quickly, with sunshine giving way to wind, snow or very low temperatures. A family leaving the accommodation in beautiful weather should still have enough protective clothing for conditions to deteriorate.
Protect children from the sun too
Snow can create a slightly confusing combination of cold air and strong sun.
UV exposure can still be significant in snowy environments, particularly at altitude. Children should have appropriate sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses or goggles and suitable face protection.
Ski goggles are useful for more than seeing clearly. They help protect the eyes from wind, snow and bright reflected light.
Apply sunscreen before heading outside and reapply according to the product instructions, particularly after sweating or spending significant time outdoors.
Plan for children who aren’t skiing
A family ski holiday does not have to mean every family member skis every day.
Young children may not have the stamina for a full day outdoors, while parents may want to alternate childcare and skiing.
Before booking, check what the resort offers away from the main ski slopes. Depending on the destination, families might find snow play areas, tobogganing, ice skating, indoor swimming pools, children’s clubs, winter walking trails, mountain railway trips and other local attractions.
This can also make the trip more enjoyable for children who simply do not like skiing.
Driving in snow requires extra planning
Hiring a car can give a family much more freedom, especially when travelling with children and luggage. But driving in winter conditions is very different from driving on a dry Australian road.
Depending on the country, season and road conditions, you may need winter tyres or snow chains. Requirements can also vary between regions and mountain roads.
Before booking a hire car, check what equipment is provided and what you are legally required to carry. Do not assume that a standard hire car will automatically be ready for serious snow conditions.
Australian Government travel advice recommends checking local driving conditions and requirements before travelling. Smartraveller’s travel safety advice is a useful starting point for checking destination-specific information before you leave.
If you are driving into a ski resort, also check whether the road has restrictions during heavy snow. A mountain road can look perfectly manageable in good weather and become considerably more difficult after a storm.
Prepare before leaving Australia
A little preparation before the flight can prevent a lot of stress once you arrive.
Check your destination’s weather forecast in the days before departure and make sure everyone has appropriate clothing.
It is also worth checking:
- Passport and visa requirements
- Travel insurance
- Destination-specific travel advice
- Medical requirements and prescription medications
- Accommodation and airport transfers
- Car hire requirements
- Winter driving rules
- Ski school and equipment hire bookings
- Lift passes
- Children’s activities
- Emergency contact numbers
Australian travellers should also consider which insurance works best for their trip. You will need to consider your destination, planned activities, belongings and individual circumstances when choosing a policy.
Do not leave travel insurance until the last minute. Buying it soon after booking your trip can be important because some cancellation benefits may apply to eligible events that happen before departure.
Make sure your insurance matches your holiday
Travel insurance is particularly important for families travelling overseas because a problem affecting one person can quickly affect everyone.
A sick or injured child can mean cancelling activities, changing accommodation or arranging additional transport. Lost luggage can be more complicated when that luggage contains children’s winter clothing and specialist equipment. A delayed flight can also cause problems when you have pre-booked transfers, accommodation, ski lessons or lift passes.
If you are skiing or snowboarding, do not assume your standard travel insurance automatically covers those activities.
With Go Insurance Australia, Snow Sports Cover is an optional extension that needs to be selected when purchasing the policy and shown on your Certificate of Insurance for the cover to apply.
Go Insurance’s Snow Sports Travel Insurance page explains the additional cover and what families should check before heading to the slopes.
Depending on the circumstances and the terms of the policy, Snow Sports Cover may provide benefits relating to covered snow-sports injuries, emergency assistance, equipment, unused ski passes, lessons or hire costs, and certain piste closure or avalanche-related disruption.
If one family member plans to ski while another plans to snowboard, check that everyone’s planned activities meet the policy requirements.
Keep your insurance documents accessible
Once you have purchased your policy, don’t simply save the confirmation email somewhere in your inbox and forget about it.
Keep your policy details accessible on your phone and consider having an offline copy available as well.
Make sure you know:
- Your policy number
- The emergency assistance contact details
- What optional covers you purchased
- Your excess
- Relevant benefit limits
- What to do if you need medical assistance
- What documentation you may need if you make a claim
If you have booked expensive ski lessons, lift passes or equipment hire, keep your receipts and booking confirmations.
A warm winter family holiday starts before you leave home
A winter holiday overseas can be one of the most memorable trips a family takes. Children get to experience snow, mountains and winter activities that are very different from everyday Australian life.
The key is preparation.
Choose accommodation and activities that suit your children’s ages, pack layers rather than relying on one thick coat, hire specialist ski equipment where practical, book lessons for beginners and make sure everyone has suitable footwear and waterproof outer clothing.
If you are driving, investigate winter tyres and snow-chain requirements before collecting your vehicle. If you are considering a campervan, make sure it is genuinely equipped for the temperatures you expect rather than simply being marketed as a winter option.
And before leaving Australia, make sure your travel insurance matches the holiday you are actually taking. If skiing or snowboarding is on the itinerary, check whether you need Snow Sports Cover and make sure it appears on your Certificate of Insurance.
With the right preparation, the focus can stay where it belongs: keeping the kids warm, enjoying the snow and making memories that last considerably longer than the flight home.