Are all inclusive ski holidays worth it for families?

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Are all inclusive ski holidays worth it for families? Ski holidays might be great fun but the costs can add up quickly for families once you factor in lift passes, lessons, equipment, meals and transfers. This is why many parents look at all inclusive ski packages and wonder if it’ll actually save them money or if it’s just clever marketing. The good news is that for many families, all inclusive ski holidays can be brilliant value and a lot less stressful. Here’s a full guide to help you decide whether an all inclusive ski holiday is worth it for your next winter trip – as well as where to find the best deals.

What do all inclusive ski holidays normally include?

All inclusive ski holidays bundle the main costs into one package which keeps planning simple – it can be a great time saver for busy families and a good way to avoid surprise spending. Not every package includes everything but the big advantage is knowing your total cost before you go which makes budgeting a lot easier, especially when travelling with children. It’ll likely make organising the trip a lot less stressful, so that’s something to factor in too. Depending on the company, you may get:

• Return flights
• Airport transfers
• Hotel or apartment accommodation
• Lift passes for the week
• Ski or snowboard hire
• Lessons or ski school
• Breakfast, dinner or full board dining
• Childcare options in some hotels
• Resort reps and support
• Extras like snacks or drinks

Why can all inclusive ski holidays be great for families?

Skiing holidays can be expensive so having lift passes, lessons and equipment already paid for can help to keep the trip within budget. On top of this, families trying skiing for the first time often need supportive instructors and gentle beginner slopes – package holidays aimed at families with children are likely to promote resorts that work well for first time skiers. It’s also a great way to avoid juggling a dozen bookings – instead of sorting flights, transfers, hotels, lift passes and ski hire separately, everything is done in one go. This saves parents a lot of time and if you’ve not been before (and aren’t quite sure what you’ll need to organise) it’ll ensure you don’t overlook anything. With pre-booked ski hire and lessons, you can focus on getting the kids ready rather than running around sorting admin. It might actually be more budget-friendly too – all inclusive ski holidays are particularly worth considering for families travelling outside of the school holidays. January and mid March can be excellent times to find a great deal.

When is it not worth booking an all inclusive ski trip?

You’ll need to consider whether an all inclusive ski getaway is worth it – for some families these types of holidays might not be good value. For instance, if your family already owns ski equipment then packages that include ski hire won’t offer the best value for money. You’ll also want to consider the ages and eating habits of your kids – all inclusive hotels usually have set meal times (which might not work for young children) and if the kids are picky eaters you may find that it’s not worth the additional cost. Families who prefer flexible dining might find self-catering accommodation a better option than an all inclusive package – there are lots of ski resorts that offer apartments with kitchens and it might be cheaper to cook your own meals.

It’s also worth thinking about whether the package on offer might be a bit restrictive. For instance, if you want to choose your own ski school it could be worth booking everything individually yourself. Some parents might prefer booking specific ski instructors or private lessons but packages will usually assign you to partnered schools. Finally, one of the most important things to consider is whether all inclusive ski holidays will actually cost you more if you’re travelling at peak times – lots of families will want to travel in the school holidays. For ski trips in Europe over the Christmas period, or other peak times like February half-term, prices can be extortionate. In this case, you’ll need to weigh up whether booking everything separately offers better value for money. Without cheap term-time package deals, shopping around might be the best way to ensure your ski trip is as budget-friendly as possible.

Which companies offer the best all inclusive ski holidays for families?

1. Crystal Ski

Crystal Ski is one of the biggest and most family focused ski operators. They offer packages across loads of destinations in Europe including: France, Austria, Italy, Andorra, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Finland (Lapland) and Switzerland. Their holidays usually include flights, transfers and accommodation, and you can add lift passes, equipment and lessons to make your ski trip fully all inclusive. Families love their childcare options, beginner-friendly resort picks and the ease of having everything booked in one place.

Why families love Crystal Ski:
• Huge selection of family focused hotels
• Beginner friendly resorts
• Free child places and lift pass discounts
• Easy booking process

2. Sunweb

Sunweb is one of the best value ski companies in Europe. Many of their holidays include lift passes as standard which instantly saves families a lot of money. You can add equipment hire and lessons to create a simple all inclusive package. They cover a wide range of European resorts and often come out cheaper than UK based operators.

Why families love Sunweb:
• Lift passes included with most trips
• Excellent pricing for budget conscious families
• Big range of hotels and apartments
• Great deals outside peak holiday weeks

3. Heidi

A newer company that has quickly become a favourite for families looking for all inclusive ski holidays, Heidi lets you build your own package by choosing flights, transfers, accommodation, lift passes and ski hire. This flexible approach means you only pay for what you need which is brilliant for families on a budget. The pricing is very clear and you can compare options easily without hidden extras. It works especially well for families who want to book it all easily in one place whilst still being able to make choices that suit your needs.

Why families love Heidi:
• Fully flexible build your own holiday
• Clear pricing and lots of choice
• Great for mixing deals, accommodation and ski extras
• Perfect if you want control over cost and inclusions

4. Iglu Ski

Iglu Ski is the UK’s biggest ski travel agency and a great option for families who want plenty of choice. Instead of booking with one operator, you can compare packages from lots of different companies in one place which makes it easier to find something that suits your budget and dates. Iglu offers deals across hundreds of resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Andorra, and you can filter for family friendly hotels, catered chalets and beginner areas. It’s ideal if you want flexibility or you’re not sure which resort will work best for your children.

Why families love Iglu Ski:
• The widest choice of ski holidays in the UK
• Easy to compare prices, resorts and packages
• Lots of family friendly options and catered chalets
• Great for finding deals during peak school holiday weeks

How do I get the best value from an all inclusive ski holiday?

If you’ve decided that hassle-free all inclusive ski holidays are for you, here are a few tips to help families to get the best value money:

• Book early for half term or Christmas
• Travel in January or mid March for lower prices
• Choose smaller or quieter resorts for cheaper accommodation
• Compare packages carefully to see what is truly included
• Look out for free lift pass deals and child discounts
• Consider self-catering options even within a package if you need flexibility

So, are all inclusive ski holidays worth it for families?

All inclusive ski holidays can be excellent value for families, especially if you’re new to skiing or want a simple, stress free experience. By combining flights, transfers, lift passes, equipment and lessons, you avoid surprise spending and make the trip easier to manage. If you prefer everything planned and ready when you arrive, all inclusive is well worth considering. However, if you’re travelling at peak times, looking to self-cater, or want to work to a particularly tight budget then don’t blindly book a package before checking out alternative options. Similarly, if you’re driving and don’t need flights then you’ll want to see how much can be saved by booking things individually. And, if you’ve decided that an all-inclusive package is not for you, check out this article for some fabulous resort options with extras on your doorstep like sleigh rides, toboggan runs and ice-rinks: The 5 best Landal resorts for family ski holidays in Europe.