A family ski holiday largely comes down to logistics. Children who are well equipped, in gear that fits them, learn faster and complain less. Here is how to approach kitting out young skiers without the stress.
Children change shoe size and height every year, sometimes twice in the same season. Buying skis and boots means buying again every year. Hiring solves the problem: every winter, your child leaves with equipment that fits them exactly at that moment. And if their feet grow during the stay or a boot is uncomfortable, drop into the shop: we will adjust or swap it.
For skis, the general rule for a child starting out is a length between chest and chin: a short ski is easy to control and reassuring. For boots, beware of the "let's go a size up, it'll last" reflex: a boot that is too big stops the child from steering their skis and makes learning hard work. The boot must hold the foot, with a thin ski sock on.
A helmet is part of a child's basic equipment, both in ski school and outside it. It must be the right size, properly adjusted, with no thick hat underneath. We check the fit when we kit your child out in the shop.
The first morning of the holiday is traditionally the critical moment: everyone wants their equipment at the same time. Two tips from experience. First, book online before you leave: your equipment is prepared and the fitting goes much faster. Second, if you arrive the evening before, come and get kitted out that same evening rather than the next morning: our shops are open every day from 8.30am to 7.30pm and the end of the day is quieter.
With children, every metre of carrying counts. Our 10 shops and boutiques are spread across Val Thorens precisely so you can collect the whole family's equipment as close as possible to where you are staying. Choose yours on our shops page and finish your packing with our holiday checklist.
