Start with NOT schlepping all the gear
By Sally Spaulding
Family ski trips can be daunting and exhausting. Low temperatures, high expenses, and loads of necessary gear can turn any big ideas of an alpine getaway into a mountain of reasons to just stay home. But with a bit of planning and gear groundwork, a family ski trip can be truly one for the books making memories for a lifetime.
So how do you make it easier; dare we say, stress free?
Let’s start with the biggest ski trip stressor: the gear. The best way to handle flying with your families’ skis, boots, jackets, helmets, and ski pants is to NOT do it.
This doesn’t mean leaving your equipment at home or having to deal with a limited selection of overpriced and sub-par rental gear.
Thanks to specialty shipping services like ShipSkis you can send your winter gear and luggage directly to your hotel, condo, rental home, etc. ShipSkis will pick up your gear right from your doorstep, and an on-time delivery guarantee ensures your skis, snowboard, snow boots, and luggage will be waiting for you at your destination.
So rather than standing in a long line to check your skis and oversized bags (frantically pulling out items to reach the appropriate weight limit while your toddler informs you they need to potty NOW), you’ll have your hands free to focus on your family and maybe even get a coffee with all that extra time as you meander to the gate. And you won’t have to waste an ounce of mental energy wondering if your gear made it on your tight connecting flight – it’s already at the resort.
Once at your destination, you don’t need to wait around in baggage claim with a cranky and tired family. No worries about tweaking your back as you wrangle your huge bags, skis, and boards into the rental car or shuttle. You’ll be blissfully unbound by stuff – knowing your gear is ready and waiting for you when you need it.
ShipSkis, which is a part of larger company Ship&Play, has been in the luggage shipping business for years and has rates starting at $34.99. Complimentary insurance is included on all orders, with the option to add-on coverage for a nominal cost. ShipSkis also services 180 countries across the globe, making international family ski vacations a breeze as well. With a team of international specialists, ShipSkis will handle all customs paperwork on your behalf.
While there are several companies who ship your luggage and ski gear, ShipSkis has additional customer service and support than their competitors, with real people to offer you real help. They also offer a one-time 20% off and ongoing 10% off discount for Ikon season passholders.
Carry Snacks. Families with young children know this, but it always bears repeating. Don’t let hunger or low blood sugar derail your ski trip. Also known as hypoglycemia, low blood sugar can cause stress in the body and make you feel cranky and anxious. Always be prepared by bringing nutritious and satisfying snacks to cover your family for unexpected delays OR if your plane runs out of meals OR to avoid high prices at the ski lodge/long checkout lines. No point in enduring a flight while feeling hangry (or a gondola lap).
Layers are Your Friend. When one child is hot, the other will be cold. Make sure you have the appropriate outer layer (waterproof is best) but also various underlayers for each member of your family. Try and avoid cotton, as it absorbs moisture and can make you cold and wet – a miserable combination on the slopes.
Be Flexible. Travel is filled with unforeseen changes and disruptions, especially during the snowy winter season. You can reduce stress and anxiety by practicing flexibility to cope with them. Such adaptability can help you quickly problem-solve and turn unexpected twists into easy fixes. Accept what you can’t control, focus on what you can, and ask for help when needed. By cultivating a mindset of flexibility and openness, you handle obstacles with greater ease.
Have a Backup Plan. Your flight is delayed. Your hotel is overbooked. Sub-zero temperatures and high winds mean you’ll be skipping a day on the mountain. Even the best-laid plans can go astray, especially when you travel. Think ahead and be prepared with a Plan B to handle any challenge that may arise. Small forethoughts, like downloading your airline app before you leave or finding a bowling alley or kid-friendly arcade at or near your ski resort, can go a long way toward easing the pain and keeping trip spirits high.
Author Sally Spaulding, an avid skier with kids based in Idaho, contributed this post about making snow sports’ vacations easier than ever with ShipSkis, a service from sponsor Ship&Play.