Mom’s last-minute guide to selecting the perfect ski retreat

Planning a ski vacation for your family can be stressful enough, but having to find a last minute ski retreat can be downright scary. Fortunately, there are some great tips and advice for mothers who need to book accommodation within a certain time frame. One of the most important decisions you must make when planning a ski trip is choosing the lodge. Take a look at the following helpful tips when selecting a place to stay:

Location matters!

When booking a hotel with children, the location of the hotel should be ideal for families. In other words, choosing a luxurious, top-of-the-line resort town can be great for a romantic getaway, but it can be quite limiting when it comes to offering daytime activities for kids. Take a look at the surrounding city and do a quick search online for family-friendly tourist opportunities. You will be surprised what some places offer.

Ski shelters that are close to the ski slopes can be of great help to families with children. Look for transportation options if the mountains are further from the hotel. Also consider possible day trips, as it never hurts to have backup options if your kids get tired of skiing.

Call the concierge or manager.

Planning a trip for your family can be tricky, but travelers often forget what a great asset hotel staff can be. Call when in doubt and ask to speak to the manager about children’s activities. The concierge can inform you of the hotel’s location to the ski slopes and whether there will be ski lessons for children. Ask if there is a pool or if there are other activities available for families.

If you don’t like how the interaction takes place over the phone, chances are good that you will feel stressed about the accommodation if you decide to book. If you really are in a hurry, please call back, as you may have had an isolated bad experience. If you experience negative customer service twice, move on to the next option.

Consider choosing a condo-style hotel.

Ski cabins may be just another name for a hotel that is close to a ski slope. And some of these hotels use a business model in which different rooms are maintained and owned by different people and companies. This can be a great option for those who book last minute as they offer different budget options. As a bonus for procrastination, you can get some real deals from those desperately looking to rent their rooms. You can usually find lofts, condos, suites, and regular rooms. Suites and lofts generally offer sleeping arrangements for groups, so this can be ideal for a family.

Remember to look online for reviews of individual rooms, as well as the ski lodge in general. Travel companions will leave comments on certain rooms, as not all owners cope equally. But condo-style hotels generally have something for everyone, which is great for families.