Ever since I was little I have been dreaming of a white Christmas.
The words of the song going around my head and for close to 40 years I spent Christmas in the UK and I'm still dreaming despite predictions of snow at Christmas living in the South East it's never happened.
This year though it's possible to bring those dreams of a white Christmas to life for the little ones with winter travel and Crystal.
We participated on a press day with Crystal Ski -but the words and opinons expressed are our own please see our disclosure policy for more information.
Last week we were invited to join Crystal ski for a family snow day at the Indoor Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead and get myself and my husband back on the snow and give the kids a little taste of a ski lesson for the first time. It's been 11 years since I last put my snow boots on and 10 since my husband clipped himself onto a snow board but much like they say about riding a bike it's something that comes straight back and the thrill of heading down the slope is something that there is no other experience like it.
As a child we skied most winters in Europe, and yes the picture above is me aged just under 2 on my first family ski holiday, going with the same ski company year after year Crystal Ski - they were a fabulous we visited Yugoslavia, Italy, Switzerland, Austrai, Spain and for the last 10 years France and despite the image it really doesn't have to be expensive. In fact a quick tour of the Crystal Ski site brings up little gems like 7 nights beginners skiing in Slovenia half board for a family of 4 leaving Luton on 19th December so making those dreams of a white Christmas come true staying at Hotel Alpina in Kranjska Gora a ski in ski out half board hotel for £1577 - that's cheaper than we paid out of season 4 years ago to go all inclusive for a week in Lanzarote for some late summer sunshine and not half as much fun!
Skiing as a family has always been my experience - I've only skiied with friends once the rest of the time it's been with my parents and brother even as a teen and in my twenties because it's a real family sport. With a week's worth of lessons even if you've never strapped on a ski before you'll be able to try the Green and Blue runs working up over time to progress to red and if you are a bit of a daredevil the black or diamond runs.
If spending all the time with the kids as a family isn't for you then Crystal ski in some of the resorts have childcare available from 6 months which from 3/4 years old includes ski lessons for the kids and fun - the kids got a little taste of the activities including playing in the snow garden and the staff that run the childcare have so much energy running up and down sledge runs in the cold and then bringing them inside for arts and crafts and other activities.
We will be sharing more snow sports with you this year so watch out as FINALLY we're hoping to make a White Christmas a possibility and one of my 40 before 40 will be achieved.
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