To be fair this isn’t just about getting your child ready for their first school skiing trip. You need to get yourself mentally prepared to let your child to go on their first adventure abroad alone! And that can be extremely difficult!

So it is important that we focus on what it is you can do to make it easier:

Clothing

There is a huge list of clothes that you want to ensure you have packed for their adventure.

• Ski Goggles
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Thermal top and bottoms
• Tracksuit
• Salopettes
• Snow Boots

To name but a few! It is really important that you send them packing with enough to last the duration of the trip! On top of the specialised clothing you need to remember to pack some normal day to day wear too, after all they aren’t on the slopes 24/7! Getting them a new suitcase can be a good idea searching for the best cheap luggage is a must! They have loads of activities to do during the evenings.

Ski Lessons

They get full skiing instruction when they are out there. However you cannot help but worry that they need to know some of the basics before venturing out on the slopes. We decided to book in for a 3-hour basics lesson on a real snow slope. It ended up giving us and him a massive confidence boost. Not only is he able to put all the ski equipment on easily. But he can now navigate his way up and down the slopes.

Watching them all at the start of their first lessons you really wonder how they are going to get on. But by the end they are all merrily going up the ski lift and setting off down the slope. Even if they fall, they now have the knowledge and confidence to right themselves again!

Basic Travel Information

Eldest has been abroad several times, however he hasn’t had to manage his own things before. Even the basics of looking after your case and having your passport ready. So for us we have planned to have a good chat about the  do’s and don’ts of travelling. Along with the importance of keeping his paperwork and money safe. Even when they get to the accommodation.

Along with that he has to remember about budgeting, something that historically the boys haven’t been that good at. Although I believe this experience will be a great opportunity to develop these type of life skills.

While they are away

I have upgraded his mobile phone to a contract so there are no limitations for communications while on their school skiing trip. But I think it is important not to bombard eldest with contact! With that in mind it is probably worth while making sure you have plenty to occupy yourself with at home. Beyond the normal work and daily housekeeping! So think of a project you can get your teeth into!

I still cannot believe how quickly this trip has come around. It seems like only yesterday we navigated starting high school, getting to grips with the new norm. I guess all these little steps are what braces us for the future. When we are left with an empty nest and the boys are off enjoying life!