Ski season as a family. Crazy idea or not?!

A snowHead

Not sure where to post this so putting it here!

Just an idea but wondering if it could be done…
Has anyone done a ski season ( or even a month) as a family?
I’d love to take my kids out of school and try this. They are all primary age. I could do an hour a day homeschooling, then as much skiing as possible with them.

My husband and I both work remotely so that’s not an issue. Airbnb have monthly apartments at reasonable prices (much less than if I booked 4 weekly ski holidays).

Has anybody done this? Am I mad or is it doable? I’ve googled and can’t find any blogs or info.
Thanks. X

A snowHead

You know your family best and how the kids would adapt, but working remotely isn't a legal option in most ski countries/ resorts without a visa. Would anyone catch you - probably not, would an employer allow it, you’d need to check or take the time off as a sabbatical?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

I don't have kids, so can't comment on that part, but have regularly done 3 to 6 week long trips. One major consideration re working remotely is that, if you are employed by a company, then the HR department may be very wary (which may be an understatement) about any employees working from abroad, as there is a risk that the company could be considered to be active in that country, and hence subject to a whole load of employment law. If you work for a multinational, which already has employees in the country, then that should be fine. However, many companies have a blanket ban on people working from a foreign country for the above reason

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Family-wise I think it's doable, but so much better for your kids if they could spend a few months in a French environment rather than inevitably limited home schooling. And your working hours could be impacted by the home schooling AND the skiing! My daughter in law, who has spent years working for a British think tank (and was schooled in France and bilingual) has had lots of of complications with working for them whilst the family has moved to France (to put kids into French schools - in Lyon, not a ski resort). The company want her, but the contractual complications are considerable. Even though she's an EU (German) passport holder and now properly resident in France.

To make it affordable, and find a big enough place for family to live and work (rather than just a week's holiday) you'd probably be some distance from "ski in/out".

But it's an exciting idea!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I think the fantasy bit is that you'd both be able to continue working from home fully while kid wrangling and doing a lot of skiing in what would likely unless you've got a big budget be a smaller apartment.

Fine if one or both of you are willing to take a sabbatical from work or you've a fairly passive business that doesn't take many hours.

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We did it as a family, but I took 5 months off work (between jobs) and Britain was part of EU which made it a whole lot easier.

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@lucyskilucy,
Which ski resort(s) would you be considering?
What is your passport situation?
If doing a season rental get out to resort(s) this season and check out what is available - not Airbnb.
Choose a resort with plenty of other English speaking families.
If doing a month consider Easter - only have to take kids out of school for two weeks as schools shut for two weeks anyway.

After all it is free

You would need to negotiate with your local primary school in the UK if you wanted them to go back there - you can't take that for granted.

Thanks for all the replies.

I should have explained - work is fine as we both can chose what to take on and have worked from abroad many times before for up to 6 weeks.

School - ours are able to take time out without any problem as long as we keep up with their studies. Easter is a good call though if it was for a short time rather than a season.

I haven’t thought about a specific resort yet. I was hoping someone may have experience of doing this to give me some ideas! I’m fluent in French so France would be first choice.

I hasten to add that I’ve literally only started looking into this!

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Have all the kids skied before and enjoy it? Or is it force feed them it and they will all love it?

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Oh and I’m sure someone in France or Europe will probably do this as well but unlimited lessons at Whistler still exists. I did it back in 2003 and while it’s more expensive now it’s still offered as an option. It’s about 3749CAD (2100GBP) a person but you could have a lesson from opening day to closing day every day. And you need the season epic pass as well but if you’re going to do the season, then do the season.

Back in 2003 you bought your season pass and then the season lesson pass was the same price. I learnt snowboard for a month, then skiing for a month, then dipped in and out over the next 8 weeks - I think I did about 50-60 days of lessons. You get to know the staff quite well, which is nice on the mountain as you’re moving round.

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Are you able to stay in the Schengen area for a whole season ? Post-brexit, UK citizens are only entitled to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period

@lucyskilucy,
The length of a season in France depends heavily on which resort you choose. Would you be going 'short' or 'long'?

You know it makes sense.

I'm probably more critical of teachers than most. But it amazes me people (with presumably no experience or qualifications), think they can provide a similar level of education to a professional with their training, experience, and resources. Let alone with only 1 hour of "teaching" per day, and trying to teach more than one child at different age levels.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@boarder2020 not sure OP was claiming it would be equivalent? Just keep the kids ticking over while enjoying a family experience? When they are in primary school it’s far less of an issue, particularly if the kids aren’t struggling with schoolwork.

A snowHead

A snowHead

Thanks all for the advice.

Teaching - yes it would be to keep them ticking over. My eldest 2 work very fast and find school isn’t challenging enough for them so I think they would actually benefit from more intense study for a much shorter time.

Plus it would only be for a month or two.

We have friends who spent a year in Italy. They had 2 teenagers and asked the school for the curriculum. In 3 months they had finished their schoolwork for the year doing 2 hours a day! They are at uni now so it didn’t do them any harm!

I think the limitations for this idea (as work and schooling would be sorted) are costs. Namely accomm, ski school and lift passes which all add up.
Now I need to narrow it down to resort/area that has a bit of a community feel.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@T Bar,
Do you mind me asking where you went?

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@lucyskilucy, I've come across a couple of families who have done this, here in Briancon, Serre Chevalier, their kids were actually enrolled in the local school.

Currently I know of one Swedish family doing this for a tear, although I don't know her well, I know her best mate well and could ask her for her contact details etc

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@lucyskilucy,
If doing a full season, things to take into account (apart from how long the season would be) in considering resorts:-
How many other English speakers (adult and children) would be there for the season.
English speaking ski schools.
What other activities are available eg swimming pool, ice skating, sports center.
Would your kids be eligible for the resort Club des Sports.
Would the resort expect your kids to attend the local school.
Ease of access to the slopes.
Quality of internet connection for home working.
I'd recommend looking at Tignes, especially le Lac, Lavachet & Val Claret. tignes.co.uk do season let's.

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Thanks. A lot to think about. Will check out Tignes.
Also La Tania looks good.

I’m trying to find out about discounts on longer term boot and ski hire too.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Usually cheaper to buy if you’re there for a month or so. Although the kids will undoubtedly have a growth spurt from exercise, mountain air and food. Some places do a seasons rental - where you can swap kit for kids.

I’m sorry it’s Canada based again but Big White have a youth skis and snowboard program to do exactly that. It was cheaper to join the season rental for him than hire for the 10 days we did.

As it’s France you’d probably have some Brits out there who might let the kids stuff go for a cheap deal.

After all it is free

Do it! You only live once.

I did 10 weeks on a skiing in Switzerland pre Brexit with my family. Overall trip didn't go to plan because my son was too young to ski properly and my wife decided skiing wasn't for her.

Don't let that put you off though because if your whole family are able to enjoy the skiing then I think it would work out.

If my wife was remotely interested in skiing we would be currently be on a ski season with my 11 year old to avoid the SATS.

I personally would not work remotely. Instead I recommend you save up so you can spend the whole time as a family.

When we went to Switzerland we rented a chalet with a couple of spare bedrooms and had family and friends visiting most of the time which really helped us not feel isolated (cost may be a factor though).

Perhaps look at one of the season long multi resort passes like the Tyrol snow card or the Magic pass?

Other ways to get the most out of it is to vacate your accommodation for Christmas/New Year/Feb HT. That way you could save on accommodation and get something better for your money, plus you can squeeze a bit more out of your 90 days in the ED (if you don't have EU passports)

Go for it!
I'm currently doing this with my wife and three kids in Morzine. We're doing as a 'sabattical' between positions, with a small amount of remote work to keep us ticking over.
The kids are enrolled in the local private school, which has some local french kids and quite a few visiting children whose parents are either seasonal workers or remote workers here for the season. If you do a 'season' starting at the Christmas holidays and finish at Easter, the school holidays are close to lining up so your kids aren't off for long periods of time.
Bring at the local school gives access to very cheap group lessons on the days off school, and they also have ski weeks at school where they ditch school for half a day every day and get extra lessons.
For cost - advance purchase season passes are very reasonable, and at least some of the rental places do a season long hire for half the cost of buying, and you can then return it for service or to swap for more advanced kit as your kids progress.
The 90 days Schengen limit can be bypassed with an easily obtainable 6 month tourist visa (of you can show savings to support yourself).
Season long apartment/chalet rentals can be pretty reasonable. As suggested above, if you can get a slightly larger place than required (multiple bunk rooms are great, independent rooms most of the time, but can be shared when visitors come), you can have visitors, "come and spend a week at our place in France" should get you a few takers (and maybe a contribution to rent). We've got grandparents coming out and maybe some other friends.
We've met a few other families here that are doing similar things. You aren't being mad to consider it if you can make it happen with work and finances.

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@C_mackenzie, this is super info thank you. I was hoping to hear from someone who is actually doing it!
Glad to hear there are options for lowering ski rental cost.
I’m going to try to work some figures out. Can I ask where you looked for accommodation? Air bnb or a website? Thanks.

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Go for it! We did it last season and this season. Accommodation we use our motorhome but accommodation in France is quite cheap from the week after new year until French school
Holidays and then again until Easter hols. You might be able to get a good rate if you book 12-13 weeks in one go. AirBNB, booking.com, resort sites and local agencies are all good places to look.

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With regards the cost issue - could you AirBnB your own home out while away, potentially making your accommodation cost neutral?

You know it makes sense.

Have you got any further in your research? Or are you already in France? I am thinking of doing something similar with my family (2 kids, also still in primary school in the UK).

Did you look into Morzine as an option, like C_mackenzie did?

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@C_mackenzie, are you or anyone in your family fluent French speakers? I am worried that not speaking the language will make it very isolating.

Very intrigued by the idea of putting kids into the local school. Was that relatively easy?

A snowHead

That is one of the reasons we went with Morzine, the private school worked with us in advance to confirm there was places available for our kids. We found that there was a lot of English speaking parents and kids that made school OK and easy to communicate with some of the families.
It did help to have high-school level french for basic conversations with the few people that didn't speak English at all. For written communication and forms, translation apps are pretty good now to help with more detailed information.

A snowHead

Amazing, which was the private school?@C_mackenzie

Are you now back in the UK? Was it easy enough coming back into school. Either private or state?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

@lucyskilucy,

Have you got any further in your research? Or are you already in France? I am thinking of doing something similar with my family (2 kids, also still in primary school in the UK).

Did you look into Morzine as an option, like C_mackenzie did?

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@Jlowrycorry,
There's Apex2100 in Tignes, but don't know what ages they take. Loads of English speaking permanent residents (plus seasonnaires) in Tignes.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@@lucyskilucy, I reckon go for it. Life is short and it is all doable. Kids will adapt and it will be a great memory. We are all often too stuck in the same, traditional lane.

@C_mackenzie, I spend 3 months in the snow each year in Italy but have to leave due to Brexit. I can prove I can support myself but how do I obtain a 6 month visa instead of the normal 90 days in 180?

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

Skiing is more important than a child's education.

Do it.

@Kenzie, I have had quite a bit advise and spoken to the local commune, police and embassy. As far as I understand, simply staying 6 month is not possible. Which is why I was interested in @C_mackenzie comment. There are of course various visas you can apply for which takes time and commitment. Regardless of the way an individual vote, we have made our Brexit bed unfortunately (screwed our ability to easily work, travel and long-term snowboard in the Alps!).

But back to the original point, doing a family snow season is always a good idea I reckon. Make memories, enjoy life!

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Ski season as a family. Crazy idea or not?!

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