Category Archives: Family ski vacations

Getting fit to ski. The 30 Day Shred

May 6, 2013

Confession- my fitness levels vary hugely depending on 1) Day to Day work/life and 2) What holidays are coming up. Usually alarm bells ring when my jeans are getting tight. In an ideal world, I’m active every day- walking, yoga, pilates or a fitness class of some description- usually outdoors, but sometimes life gets in the way and my fitness takes a back seat. As most of our holidays are fairly active and often at altitude, staying relatively fit is a big deal and a huge part of actually really enjoying a holiday- especially a skiing one.

With the Australian and New Zealand ski season fast approaching (Whoo-hoo!) I’ve decided to kick up my fitness to get fit to ski and do Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. I’ve done this program before and really like it for several reasons:

It is fast (takes less than 30 minutes to complete)
It involves simple exercises (lunges, ab work, basic weight moves) so you can concentrate on correct form
I can do it at home
It WORKS- I never thought an at home video would really make me sweat.. and it does

I usually try to mix in a yoga class and walks too while I’m doing the program just to make sure I’m really pushing myself. I also feel more motivated when I’m doing the program to eat extra well. I tend to eat well generally but DO indulge my shocking sweet tooth and fondness for vino and a G’n'T and doing the “shred” makes me think more carefully about food choices.

So, I am tweeting my workouts everyday- it is one way to keep accountable! And I shall share some healthy recipes, and pre-ski fitness tips from experts (like these from our friends at Athleta) while we countdown to the start of the season.

Have you done the 30 Day Shred before?? How do you get fit to ski or board?? I’d love to hear!

Posted by theskimama in Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, Get fit to ski, Ski travel tips Tags: 30 Day Shred, Get fit to ski, Ski fitness

Children’s ski fashion 2013- Girls only!

December 30, 2012

We have a ski trip approaching and I realised that the Ski Bunny (age 2) needs new ski gear- she has always had a mix of borrowed, hand me downs and a few gorgeous pieces of her own… but as she is wearing size 4 clothing in some things (tall girl) I will get her a new outfit all of her very own. I thought that I would do a wrap up of some of the latest and cutest gear for stylish girls on the slopes.

i’m tossing up between a one piece and a jacket/ combo for her…one pieces are better for important things like making snow angels and keeping snow out when you tip over on skis.. but a jacket can give you more options for day to day wear too if you live in a cold climate. I’ve got lots of tips on choosing ski gear for kids here if you need some ideas

One thing that I recommend you look for in any kids skiwear is the “”Grow-it” feature on most pieces- this allows you to get an extra season or 2 out of jackets and pants by lengthening the sleeves and pants- usually you just need to clip some threads and you gain an extra few inches in length- whoever came up with this feature is a genius! Today I’m looking at girls fashion- and if you are afraid of pink… look away… everything here has been selected with the Ski Bunny in mind and as in her words, “I like pink and princesses and ballerina’s”.

I’ve pulled pieces from lots of the major ski brands to share the best of 2013 girls ski fashion and had fun reviewing the looks. I’ve been super imressed with girls ski fashion this year- it borrows from the “big girls” and takes trends straight from the runways- lots of floral prints, some graphic digital print elements and bright pops of retro colours and designs.

My picks for ski season 2012-2013

Spyder Girls Bitsy Sassy Snowsuit in Sorbet/ Diva pink Size 2-7 RRP $ This also comes in 3 other colourways

Obermeyer Snoverall Bib in Bubble Pink Size 2-7 RRP $89.50

I would pair this with the Obermeyer Balance Jacket in Dippy Dots Size 2-7 RRP $119

I love this Spyder Bitsy Lola Jacket Size 2-7 RRP – the same print as before but in a jacket with a fur trim hood- the fur is removal too!

The Boarder is huge fan of The North Face.. and I’ve been really into their women’s range this season.. but THIS is a jacket my daughter has loved since I showed it to her… it is VERY pink.. but with enough chic features to keep the levels of sophistication.. I’d like this in black for myself!!

The North Face Toddler Girls Greenland Jacket in Razzle Pink (also available in Black ) Size 1-4 RRP $119

The North Face Girls Mountain View Triclimate Jacket is a terrific 3 in 1 jacket that provides multiple levels of warmth and 2 jackets in 1- Size 2-4 RRP $130.. again in Razzle Pink. A ski jacket shell and…. fleece jacket inner.

Columbia Girls Buga Set- a jacket and bib set in Raspberry with aqua blue lining. Size 2-4 RRP$130

The Ski Bunny has also outgrown her snow boots so I’ve narrowed down the choices to the following…

The North Face Nuptse II Snowboots. Great tread, easy to get on and off and a little bit of fur for fun Various sizes (they also come in big girls sizes too) RRP $65

Columbia Kids Powderbug II- These are currently on special at Zappos for $39.99 with free shipping

Sorel’s Toddler Snow Commander Boots in Diva Pink… but of course!! From $36.95

AND to top it all off.. the sweetest Obermeyer Pink Moose Hat!

Now if all that pink has been too much for you ( tomorrow I will be taking a look through the best looks for the season for boys!

See you on the slopes! Skimama

Posted by theskimama in Apres Ski, Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, Kids Ski Clothes, Ski fashion, Ski Holiday Packing Tags: Children's ski Gear, Girls Ski Clothes, Girls Ski Fashion

Queenstown- Family Snow Holiday Heaven!

August 24, 2012

Queenstown… oh how I resisted you… I thought you were all bungy-jumping backpackers and campervans.. but no- you are SO MUCH MORE. I almost don’t want to write this post and send all you skiing families there.. but I have to share how fantastic Queenstown is for a family ski holiday- or any ski holiday really, or even a trip where…. shhh… there is no snow.

So Queenstown and the Skimama- a love affair. I do think it will always be a special place, as it is where we spent our first ski vacation as a family. The Snow Bunny was 4 months old and the Powder Hound was 3. We went with two other skiing families with children of similar ages so there was great fun having lots of friends and kids to enjoy all the joys of Q’town… skiing, boarding, dining, wining, heliskiing… We chose to ski mainly at Coronet Peak, it has a terrific ski school and child care facility on the mountain, making it easy to do a half day of skiing – particularly as our children were young and we were OK only packing in a few runs in each day. As an anxious skimama, leaving her new baby for the first time, we were so pleased we had the terrific staff at Skiwiland to make sure we were OK too- as the creche is at the bottom of a run, it was super easy to pop in and make sure all was OK (and it always was!). The ski instructors at Skiwiland were terrific with our little Powder Hound- and managed to instill a love of skiing that has blossomed over the last 2 years (also, having skiing and boarding mad parents helps… I think that had they not loved the snow, we would have been VERY WORRIED). We hit The Remarkables for a day and had great fun there too- on our next trip, we are headed to Wanaka.

I’ve got lots to write about Queenstown but it is very early in the morning and I just want to give you some highlights- I will write more about “the details” but here are my must do’s.

1) Book a holiday to Queenstown- you will love it!

2) Book the kids into lessons at the Snowsports School – great instructors and genuinely lovely caring staff to take care of little ones (and anxious parents).. mascots are Shred the Kea and Spike the Kiwi… you will spot them around the mountains during the kids lessons.

3) Fergburgers- a Queenstown instituion and I think there may be something in the fine print when you arrive in NZ that you have an obligation to go and enjoy one of their burgers- the hype is justified

4) Harris Mountain Heliskiing- these guys know the mountains of the Otago region- you will have the best day skiing and boarding ever!! The Boarder still talks about the incredible runs from our last trip. Here are those said runs!

5) Arrowtown: gorgeous, beautifully restored and maintained 1850′s goldmining town about 20 mins drive from downtown Queenstown. A day trip for sure- lots to see and do and a cracker of a kids playground behind the main street. The bakery serves old school classics and a selection of excellent meat pies- lamb and mint was my pick and excellent!!.

6) Louis Vuitton: The Mall, Queenstown… confessions…I did not expect to find LV here before I arrived and was so happy to do a little apres-ski shopping here…

7) Bardeaux: cozy little wine bar which has an extensive collection of local wines and mix excellent cocktails… roaring fireplace, oversized leather club chairs make this a fave apres ski spot- this is a grown up bar, away from some of the party crowd of Queenstown

8) Snow Park… 60 mins from Queenstown- the drive is magnificent as you wind through the mountains . This was one of our fun days out- sledding, tubing and watching the big kids show some impressive moves on snowboards. This is a boutique resort so has less facilities than some Coronet Peak and Wanaka but is a really fun day out for a change of scenery.
9) Winnies Pizza. another Queenstown institution- Winnies is great for an early “kid’s dinner” fast service, yummy pizza’s and colouring books to keep children entertained. The staff are lovely- which makes dining with small children MUCH easier!!

10) Amisfield Winery and Restaurant- consistently rated one of Queenstown’s best restaurants. Their Pinot is divine and dining is exceptional- HIGHLY recommend taking the “Trust the Chef” for a degustation. And do make sure you book ahead- it is frequently booked out!!

The boarder is shouting out lots more recommendations… the Onsen, jet boats.. but I’ve got to get children to school so will have to save these for the next post!!

Posted by theskimama in Apres Ski, Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, Queenstown, School Holiday Ideas, Ski Tips, Ski travel tips, Tips for Travel with Kids Tags: Harris Mountain Skiing, Heli skiing Queenstown, Kids ski lessons, Louis Vuitton, Queenstown, Skiwiland, Winnies Queenstown

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Ski House Style

August 17, 2012

Given it is being called “the wekend of the season” with fantastic snow falls at every resort in Oz….I’m dreaming of skiing and of my future ski house. I have always loved traditional ski chalet’s with lots of timber, fireplaces and cozy style… but lately I have been inspired by a more modern interpretation of “ski house chic” with more light in the interiors and a furnishings, but still with reference to classic ski style. Here are some of my favourite rooms.

Aerin Lauder’s Aspen Ski House… light, luxe and modern

Double height windows…. and a view… oh the view!!!

Hermes blanket + Ski house= cannot go wrong

Stone fireplace and gorgeous beams.

A bunk room for the children

Or a dorm style bunk room

Lots of idea…. now just need that ski house…..

Posted by theskimama in Apres Ski, Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, Ski Houses Tags: Aerin Lauder, Bunk Rooms, Chic ski chalet, Dorm style bunk room, Hermes Blanket, Modern Ski House, Ski Chalet Interiors, Ski House decor, Ski House Design, Ski house fireplace, Ski House style

Perisher’s Playstation Night Series Starts Saturday July 21st

July 20, 2012

Do you have a budding Torah Bright, Anna Segal or Shaun White in your family??? Then head to Perisher tomorrow for some action on Playstation’s Slopestyle Park.. it will be under lights and This is the first in a three night series to be held on 21 July; 18 August and 8 September.

Skiers and boarders, pros, elites and rising grommet stars will be competing for top honours. There will be giveaways, awards, and

There’s $40,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs across three event nights, with plenty of encouragement awards and giveaways on the nights:

Enter HERE

Event Dates

Saturday 21 July 2012
Saturday 18 August 2012.
Saturday 8 September 2012. Overall Champions awarded.

Event Information (TBC)

Bib Collection and Registration: from 4:00pm – 5:00pm SHARP in the Perisher Ticket Office.

Practise: 5:00pm – 5:45pm

Competition: 6:00pm – 9:30pm or thereabouts. Competitors will get two runs each, best run wins.

Scoring: the event will be scored using the Overall Impression judging system based on the following criteria:

Difficulty – The technical nature of the tricks performed and the composition of the run as a whole.
Execution – The style of the tricks performed and the overall position of the trick (Deductions will be taken for falls and stops and missed landings).
Each section will be scored out of 10. Best run counts!

Prize Pool: up to $10,000 per event + Overall Champions + encouragement awards & giveaways.

Do I have to Enter all Events?
No, you can enter one, two or all three. Prizes will be awarded after each night. However, points will be accumulated and extra prizes will be awarded to the Overall Champions in each division.

Minimum Age for Entries
The minimum age for competitors is 14 years. Competitors must be aged 14 years or over as of 1/6/2012. No competitors under 14 years of age will be permitted to compete.

Event Entries
Entries will be taken up until 3:00pm of the Friday preceding the Saturday event. That is 20 July, 17 August and 7 September. No entries will be accepted on the day. This is to ensure start lists and bib allocations can be arranged.

Entry Fees

$40 per event Open; $15 per event Grommets; $95 for all 3 Open events; $35 for all 3 Grommets events

Note these entry fees do not include a Lift Ticket for event days. A discounted Lift Ticket for competitors is available and can be purchased after bib collection on the day of the event.

Competitor Lift Tickets
Discounted Lift Tickets are available to competitors on the day of the event at the Perisher Ticket Office after Bib collection for $62.00 (this allows access to Perisher’s lifts for the day of the event and also for the Night Finals.

Posted by theskimama in Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, Ski Tips Tags: Perisher, Perisher Night Series, Perisher Playstation Night Series

Preparing your children for their first ski trip

June 18, 2012

A first trip to the snow can be a little strange and sometimes overwhelming for children- especially young ones or those who are reluctant to try “new” things. Think about it; it is cold, you are wearing big bulky layers of weird clothes, you are wearing mittens, possibly a helmet, and then your parents leave you with some enthusiastic strangers who are obsessed with “pizza’s” (snow plough) and “french fries” (parrallels). Now there are some children who take to new experiences with great gusto and are easy going with everything, for others, a little preparation before your first trip to the snow, might make the difference between them hating the experience or establishing a lifelong love of the snow!!.

My children fall somewhere between the two above- my son, is cautious and needs to consider and process new activity, my daughter is gung-ho and throws herself into every new activity with great enthusiasm,

When we were getting our then three year old ready for his first ski experience we spent a little time preparing him for what the snow would be like-just a few activities to get him interested but not overwhelm him.

Here is what we did;

Read books about going to the snow- one of our favourites, Curious George in the Snow (apparently Curious George invented snowboarding, who knew??)

Watch youtube videos of kids skiing- this was a favorite, watching kids rip and shred the mountain- google “kids skiing”. There are loads of great videos and kids with impressive ski skills out there!

Make a snowman collage out of cotton balls- fun

Colour in a picture of a snowman/ snowy house. skiier/ boarder- again google “snowman colouring in”, there are lots of sites with fun images

image from http://www.thecolouringspt.com

Have a hot chocolate with marshmallows- “This is what we will have to drink at the snow!”

http://www.marthastewart.com

Get dressed up in all your snow gear- even Mama, try on helmets, mittens, stomp around the house in your snow boots- just to see try out how it feels in new kit.

Everything we did was simple, over a few weeks, and most of all we tried to make it fun and something to look forward too. When we did arrive at the snow for the first time, The Powder Hound was ready for action and even though the Snow Bunny was only threer months old, she has been a fan of the snow since her first trip. During the “off season” she is often asking us when we can go to the snow so she can “Ski fast, mama!!”

Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like to share how you get your kids ready for the snow!

Posted by theskimama in Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, School Holiday Ideas, Ski Tips, Ski travel tips, Tips for Travel with Kids, Uncategorized

Snowexcuse 2012 Gourmet treats in the High Country at Dinner Plain

June 3, 2012

The Dinner Plain Food and Wine festival is on this Opening Weekend, 9 – 11 June, 2012.

Food! Fireworks! Family Fun! Snow- seriously what more could you ask for to kick things off this season (oh did I mention there will be wine?!!)

Whet your appetite and enjoy celebrity Chefs serving gourmet dishes at a series of high-quality food and wine events.

The delicious line up includes:

v Cheese tastings provided by Richard Thomas at Mountain Kitchen, Dinner Plain – Saturday 9 and Sunday10 June, 3pm-5pm

v Frank Camorra and James Campbell from MoVida cook at Cilantro Restaurant, Dinner Plain – Saturday 9 June, 7pm

v Nick Gardener from Tetsuya’s and Sam Aisbett from Darley’s feature signature dishes at Alphutte Restaurant, Dinner Plain – Sunday 10 June, 7.15pm

v Matt Germanchis returns to Rundells, to showcase cuisine from Melbourne’s new Pei Modern Restaurant, Dinner Plain – Sunday 10 June, 7.15pm

v Owner of Provenance Restaurant, Michael Ryan and Tsubo’s Hamish Nugent pair up to showcase local ingredients and Japanese influences and techniques at Tsubo, Dinner Plain– Monday 11 June, 7.15pm

For more information go to visitdinnerplain.com.au

Posted by theskimama in Apres Ski, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, Recipes, Ski travel tips Tags: Dinner Plain, Food and Wine Mt Hotham, Gourmet Ski Holidays, Mt Hotham, Snowexcuse

Children’s Ski Gear- what to pack

May 29, 2012

You have booked your family trip to the snow (Hooray!), and now it is time to think about what to pack! If you have never skied before, you will probably not have all the “kit” you need to stay toasty on the slopes. Winter is my favourite season- give me a cosy coat, boots and a cashmere jumper and I am as happy as can be! However, I also suffer poor circulation so I get particularly cold so need to layer up when I ski. On a recent trip to Breckenridge (or Brecken”fridge”) I had six layers on.. no joke. However, most Australian and NZ resorts do not require you to dress anywhere near that warmly. And if your kids are anything like mine, they tend to be immune to the cold weather- I struggle to keep them in their ski jackets. So, what to take, whether it is your first ski trip or you are an experienced snow going family, I’ve put together some ideas for what to pack for children

Children: 3+

Thermals: These are a must have. My children spend much of their skiing and après ski time in their “Stripey’s” as they call them. I purchased ours from Kathmandu. They are often on sale, and are a must have. Now is a fantastic time to look for these on sale at ski and outdoor gear specialists.

Mid Layer: Depending on the weather, this can be a fleece or a long sleeve thermal t shirt. I am a big fan of the Columbia and North Face ones as they can be worn off the slopes as well.

Ski Jacket: One of the easiest items to rent or borrow if you are new to snow sports. Every ski rental shop will have a selection of jackets for children. If you are planning on taking regular ski holidays, I highly recommend looking at some of the “grow with you” options, if you decide to purchase a jacket.

Obermeyer have a fantastic range of jackets and trousers that you will get at least 2 seasons out of. Also look for some jackets that have detachable hoods or liners- this can extend the life of the jacket beyond the ski season. The Powder Hound (aged 5) is a big fan of Helly Hanson, Columbia and North Face Jackets… just like Dad

Ski pants: Some people like bib and brace overalls, but I, and your child’s ski instructor, will most likely prefer ski pants- these are much easier to get on and off, especially for toilet breaks on the mountain. Tuck in all the “layers” and your child will stay toasty. The Powder Hound wears Columbia pants, these have adjustable tabs at the waist, he is heading into his third season in them. Again, there are several brands that offer built in grow systems. One thing to consider- if your child has a slim build, look at ski pants with suspenders to help hold them up- these are easy to slip off shoulders in a hurry.

Mittens/ Gloves: Mittens are easy to get on small hands, gloves are great for kids aged 3 and over as they can wiggle their fingers in. I always pack at least two pairs as these are one item that seems to always disappear on ski holidays. One pair we take for general wear around the resort, one pair is a pair for skiing.

Helmet: Absolute essential- on many mountains, you cannot ski without one and they are essential for ski lessons. These can be rented from every ski rental shop or again, if you do plan to ski frequently, consider purchasing a helmet- Giro ones are terrific- with vents on the top for warmer days and POC have a cool range of new kids helmets POCito.

Goggles: Another essential, glare on the slopes can be harsh on little eyes. Don’t forget to pack goggles or rent with a helmet/ ski clothing package.

Ski socks: Toasty toes are happy toes, ski socks will keep your little ones happy on the snow for longer.

Snow Boots/ Apres Footwear: Stomping about in the snow is great fun… soggy cold feet are not. When you are out of ski boots and walking thorugh the snow, some good snow boots make a difference. I have these Sorel’s for The Powder Hound- they are easy to slip on and off and keep his feet toast warm. You can rent snow boots when you rent skis or at a pinch, some thick socks and gumboots will be OK- just bear in mind gumboots will be a bit more slippery on the snow as they don’t have trea that snowboots have.

Little snow bunnies:

Under three’s will unlikely to ski, so their snow bound adventures will not need the same technical gear as older children. I have some favourites, when we took the Ski Bunny on our first ski trip she was 3 months old, she was dressed in baby thermals and spent much of her “on snow time” in this all in one Bunting Suit from Baby Gap- I loved it so much.

As she got older, we found this toasty all in one suit from Kathmandu- we do think she looks a bit like a Teletubby, but it is super warm, not too bulky and easy to get on and off. The wrists and ankles fold over to keep hands and feet warm and mean no lost mittens and kicked off boots.

If you have any questions about what to rent or what to buy, please feel free to ask in the comment section below. I’m happy to answer any questions!

More ski gear reviews coming up soon!

Posted by theskimama in Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, School Holiday Ideas, Ski fashion, Ski gear reviews, Ski Holiday Packing, Ski Tips, Ski travel tips, Tips for Travel with Kids, Uncategorized Tags: Ski clothes children, Ski gear kids

Thredbo- Family Fun!

May 2, 2012

Where is it? Thredbo Alpine Resort is located in the Kosciuszko National Park in the NSW Snowy Mountains ..

How do I get there? Approximately 500km from both Melbourne and Sydney (about a 6-7 hour drive from both capital cities, depending on how many stops you take!) From Canberra, it is an easy 3 hour drive. Brindabella Airlines also fly from Sydney to Snowy Mountains Airport in Cooma and you can get transfers to the resorts. Their service for 2012 starts on June 9th.

The mountain: Thredbo is great for all levels of skiiers and boarders. Lots of easy beginner runs and the 5km long Supertrail. For those who like a challenge there is a reasonable amount of steep stuff!

Where to stay? Your first consideration is whether to stay on the mountain or in nearby Thredbo Valley or Jindabyne. On the mountain will be more expensive, but ensures you make the most of your ski experience- no travel time, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of Thredbo Village. Jindy, is the closest town (a 20 minute drive up the hill each day) and it has a number of options for accommodation. From youth hostels to super chic boutique hotels like The Denman, Thredbo covers all accommodation types. There are lots of self contained apartments on the mountain as well as member lodges. Check out http://thredbo.com.au/thredbo-accommodation/find-accommodation/ for more options

Getting around; A free shuttle operates around Thredbo Village everyday which makes it easy to get to and from accommodation

Children’s Lessons: Thredboland runs lessons for children aged for ages 3-6, Thredbo Freeriders for 7- 14s and Club Freeride for 15-18s. Check out our “A day at ski school” post coming soon.New 3 hour children’s group lessons are giving your ski bunnies and powder hounds more time on the slopes!. Lessons for children aged 7-14 years are changing in 2012. This year kids get an extra hour of learning, gone are the two hour sessions now all group lessons for the 7-14 year olds are three hours. So you can opt for the all day Freeriders program or a 3 hour lesson that meet at 1pm on Friday Flat. I would HIGHLY recommend booking ahead, you don’t want to arrive on your much anticipated family holiday to find that lessons are full!! Call (02) 6459 4044

It’s all about ME! Private Lesson

For the real little snow goers, aged 3 years and younger, who are not up to an all day program or just want to give it a try , there is an “It’s all about ME” private lesson (I know ONE little girl that this programme is tailor made for….). This is a one hour, one on one session, just your child and the specialised instructor so 100% attention. Meet on Friday Flat 11.30am – 12.30pm daily, Bookings essential Call (02) 6459 4044

Childcare: Thredbo child care (located in Thredboland) takes babies aged 6 weeks and over, so you can hit the slopes for a few hours or a day. Booking ahead is essential!! 1300 020 589

Equipment Hire: Thredbo have just bought $350,000 worth of new ski hire equipment, so there will be some great new gear available to hire in the 2012 season. Again look at package deals which combine ski hire, lift tickets , accommodation and hire as there are some great options.

Food: There are lots of options for family dining and also for preparing your own meals if required. There is a Supermarket in Thredbo Village as well as a range of cafes, bars and restaurants. Some restaurants offer discounted early dinners for families so check that out when you arrive.

What else to do? If you fancy a day or afternoon off, there is still lots to do at Thredbo
Thredbo Leisure Centre – waterslide, Mission Inflatable floating pool obstacle course and the red running rocket Torpedo Topple.

Every Tuesday the Thredboland Animals come to life with their very own storytelling afternoon, you may even get a chance to cuddle a koala or waddle with a wombat.

Thursday evenings is the fibre optic flare run for the kids who have participated in the weekly program – they get to ski down Friday Flat with their very own flare, there’s music, fireworks, food available and for skimama’s and papa’s a little après bevy on offer too. Bring your camera for this one…

Twilight riding every Thursday and Saturday evening in July and August. Friday Flat remains open until 7.30pm and it’s free, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Every Saturday night is like New Year’s eve with a fireworks display!

The Stats!

Skiable area: 480ha

Vertical drop: 672m

Base elevation: 1365m

Summit Elevation: 2037m

Terrain: Beginner/novice 16 per cent, intermediate 67 per cent, advanced/expert 17 per cent.

Longest run: 5.9km (Karels T-bar to Friday Flat).

Lifts: 13 lifts, including Kosciuszko Express bottom to top in seven minutes- so no time to get chilly on the way up!!

Latest Deals: Each week there are more deals popping up for families, including kids ski free in June—check here for the latest offers, and I will post updates as they become available. You can also download the Thredbo Winter Planner 2012

If you have questions about ski school or would like more info on travelling to Thredbo with your family this ski season, please ask away in the comments section below and I will be happy to help!

www.thredbo.com.au

Posted by theskimama in Cool Kids Stuff, Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, School Holiday Ideas, Ski Tips, Ski travel tips Tags: Family Skiing Thredbo, Thredbo, Thredbo 2012

First Family Ski Holiday… Part 1

April 30, 2012

Your first family trip to the snow is a milestone- no matter how old your kids are. You may or may not be a skiier or boarder yourself, or you may be a passionate snow afficianado. Throw kids into the mix and your on mountain experience will be different to your single days on the slopes. Ask anyone who travels “en famille” for ski holidays and they will, almost without exception, tell you what a fantastic experience it is (and then proceed to tell you where they are planning their next trip to). We have been travelling with our children since they were 6 weeks old, so we love to travel and love to ski- our youngest child (The Ski Bunny) was on the mountain at 3 months and our son The Powder Hound) took his first lesson just before he turned 3. We have taken ski holidays in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America, and as we gear up for the ski season in the Southern Hemisphere, I will be sharing some ideas and tips on making your first family ski trip a success!

Amanda Brown, the Director of Children’s Snowsports School at Hotham Alpine Resort, shares her take on family ski trips with us,

” This is the start of something wonderful even though it may not feel like it at the time. If it’s a new environment for all of you, it can be challenging but there are many helping hand on the mountain to make your trip easier including the snowsports instructors, friendly lift attendants and guest services team members. Talk to friends or check out sites like skimama.com.au for information about what clothes to bring, what layers to wear and how to make your trip fun. Borrow things from friends and remember to package up as many of your holiday elements together as possible such as accommodation, lift tickets, lessons, equipment hire, clothing hire as there are good discounts on packages, especially in value season where you can get up to 50% off holiday packages and Kids Ski Free Deals”.

This week we are going to look at the top ski resorts in Australia and New Zealand- an overview of each one and share some ideas so you can start booking your family ski holiday now!

Posted by theskimama in Family ski holidays, Family ski vacations, School Holiday Ideas, Ski Tips, Ski travel tips, Tips for Travel with Kids, Uncategorized Tags: Mt Hotham

Category Archives: Family ski vacations

Getting fit to ski. The 30 Day Shred

Children’s ski fashion 2013- Girls only!

Queenstown- Family Snow Holiday Heaven!

Ski House Style

Perisher’s Playstation Night Series Starts Saturday July 21st

Enter HERE

Event Dates

Event Information (TBC)

Entry Fees

Preparing your children for their first ski trip

Snowexcuse 2012 Gourmet treats in the High Country at Dinner Plain

Children’s Ski Gear- what to pack

Thredbo- Family Fun!

First Family Ski Holiday… Part 1

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