Learn to Ski as a family in Scandinavia, with Ski Safari

Ski Safari understand all the intricacies of planning a Learn to Ski family holiday and what’s required to make it truly successful. Five members of the team are parents who regularly take their children skiing and they remember well what it’s like to take those first turns.

The team recommends five ski resorts across Sweden and Norway. Each has been hand-picked for its guaranteed snow cover, uncrowded slopes, dedicated kids’ areas, high-quality child care and free lift passes for all children under the age of seven. Scandinavia is an ideal destination for families wanting to give skiing or snowboarding a go for the first time.

Ski Safari’s ‘Learn to Ski’ packages include lift passes, equipment hire, ski lessons and slope-side accommodation; everything a family needs to make that first foray into the mountains as easy as possible.

NEW: Vemdalen (best for mixed ability levels)
Situated in west Sweden near the border with Norway, Vemdalen’s reliable snow record and quiet slopes are ideal for young families and nervous skiers, while its black runs and mellow powder offer excitement for the more advanced. The three different ski areas of Vemdalen: Björnrike, Vemdalsskalet and Klövsjö/Storhogna, are covered on the same lift pass and are all linked by ski bus. For those wanting to try a different activity, dog sledding and snowmobiling are available too.
New for the 2016/17 season, check out Sameland, a brand-new experience in Björnrike. Aiming to highlight the role played by the Sami people (an indigenous Finno-Ugric people inhabiting Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia), guests can meet and feed reindeer, learn about the Sami people and, enjoy a traditional meal cooked over a fire in one of the Sami houses.
A week’s Learn to Ski holiday staying at 4* Fallmoran Apartments on self-catering basis over Christmas includes return flights (from London), transfers or car hire, six-day lift pass with ski rental and five days of ski school. For more information, visit: www.skisafari.com/offers/sweden/exclusive-learn-to-ski-in-vemdalen. Trip departs on 22 December. (Book by 4 November 2016.)

Trysil (best for kids of all ages)
With its high proportion of confidence-boosting green and blue runs, varied family facilities, guaranteed snow promise and numerous activities, Norway’s largest ski area, Trysil, is ideal for toddlers to teens. More than 80 per cent of the accommodation is ski-in, ski-out, which makes it even easier for families to access the slopes. Children can enjoy the kids’ ski area, which features magic carpets, forest trails and even a talking tree. Families can leave the slopes and enjoy the water park at Turistsenter’s Radisson Blu, which showcases an indoor surf wave.
A week’s Learn to Ski holiday staying at 4* Radisson Blu Resort Trysil on Half Board basis over Easter includes return flights (from London), transfers, half-board accommodation, six-day lift pass with ski rental and five days of ski school. For more information, visit: www.skisafari.com/offers/norway/trysil/learn-to-ski-in-trysil.Trip departs on 2 April 2017. (Book by 4 November 2016.)

Geilo (best for young children)
Start the family holiday with a scenic train journey to one of Norway’s oldest resorts, Geilo. The resort fringes the country’s largest national park and families can try dog sledding, fat biking, ice fishing, tree-top rope courses and cross-country skiing and visit the Langedrag Nature Park & Mountain Farm too. The two ski areas, Geilo and Geilolia are linked by shuttle bus, and offer novices unintimidating slopes, helpful lift attendants and award-winning ski school. After skiing, choose from a selection of restaurants serving pizza, local game and seafood.
A week’s Learn to Ski holiday staying at 4*+ Vestlia Resort on Half Board basis over Easter includes return flights (from London), transfers, half-board accommodation, six-day lift pass with ski rental and five days of ski school. For more information, visit: www.skisafari.com/offers/norway/geilo/learn-to-ski-in-geilo. Trip departs on 9 April 2017. (Book by 4 November 2016.)

Myrkdalen (best for a relaxing holiday)
Set in a serene region of fjords and frozen lakes, the still fairly unknown Norwegian resort of Myrkdalen is blissfully quiet. Open from December through to May, the resort is less than a two-hour drive from the airport at Bergen and has copious pistes for beginners. Based below the ski area, the small village of Myrkdalen features a selection of local restaurants and bars. Families looking for après-ski activities can make the most of the sledging, sleigh rides and indoor skydiving at the local wind tunnel.
A week’s Learn to Ski holiday staying at 4* Myrkdalen Hotel on Half Board basis over Easter includes return flights (from London), transfers, half-board accommodation, six-day lift pass with ski rental and five days of ski school. For more information, visit: www.skisafari.com/offers/norway/myrkdalen/learn-to-ski-in-myrkdalen. Trip departs on 2 April 2017. (Book by 4 November 2016.)

Beitostølen (best for extra activities)
Featuring dedicated beginner slopes, an English-speaking ski school and wide pistes ideal for cruising, the family-run resort of Beitostølen should not be missed. The traditional village has been designed for convenience, with all amenities within walking distance. Families who fancy a break from skiing can try dog sledding, swimming and rafting down the slopes on an inflatable raft. Alternatively, there are many cross-country trails available. In the evening, listen to live music at the low-key après-ski bars.
A week’s Learn to Ski holiday staying at 3* Bergo Cabins on self-catering basis over Easter includes return flights (from London), transfers, six-day lift pass with ski rental and five days of ski school. For more information, visit: www.skisafari.com/offers/norway/beitostolen/learn-to-ski-in-beitostolen. Trip departs on 2 April 2017. (Book by 4 November 2016.)

For more information, visit Ski Safari’s ‘Learn to Ski’ page, or contact Ski Safari (01273 224068, www.skisafari.com).