If you’re hitting the slopes with little ones, or any holiday for that matter- you know it’s all about balance: making sure children are having fun and get enough downtime - and that goes for parents too! It should feel like a holiday for everyone.
That’s exactly why ES Penguins and Petit Verbier’s After Ski Kids Club teamed up in 2012 and have been making holidays magical for hundreds of families over the past 12 years. At Petit Verbier, we provide nannies to children of all ages, rent out equipment and run our After Ski Kids club in partnership with European Snowsports. Here’s why this approach not only works but actually enhances the ski experience for young kids (and makes it easier for parents too!).
1. Keeping Skiing Fun with Outdoor Play
At Petit Verbier, we create a setting where kids can still be outdoors in the afternoon and continue the mountain fun, but add in other activities, creativity and play. Learning to ski should always be exciting and enjoyable—especially for young skiers. By following skiing in the morning with other outdoor activities in the afternoon, kids remain engaged and experience being in the mountains and snow, without becoming overly tired, and skiing is something to look forward to the next morning.
We pick up children from Ski School, head to our base for lunch indoors and then our afternoon activities are primarily outdoors, followed by a snack and creative activity or storytime at our base to finish the day. We strongly believe that being in nature is wonderful for children and love to get outdoors as much as possible.
2. The Right Balance of Activity and Downtime
The ES Penguins team are brilliant at teaching young children. Their instructors know all about teaching little ones to ski, how they learn and making sure they have the right combination of ski time and breaks. We also know that for young kids, skiing is thrilling but can be a lot to take on! Which is why the penguins groups run from 9.30am-12.30pm, as it’s really hard for under 6s to concentrate on learning a new skill for the full day.
Our After Ski Kids Club is designed to fit perfectly with ski school, no need to race down the mountain for pick up time- we’ve got it covered! So by the time you come to pick up your little one at 4pm they have had a full morning of skiing and an afternoon of activities and the downtime they need. We understand energy levels vary at this age. With skiing lessons in the morning, children can then wind down with us in the afternoon, enjoying a mix of gentle activities that let them recharge without being overstimulated.
3. Encouraging Love for the Outdoors Beyond Skiing
Spending time outside, in nature, and away from screens is a big part of our philosophy at Petit Verbier. After ski lessons, kids join our team for activities that allow them to keep exploring the mountain environment in different ways—from sledging and snow play to treasure hunts in the forest.
It’s an approach that lets them form a lasting connection with the mountains and leaves them excited to return each day.
We tailor our plans according to the weather and have a whole host of activities up our sleeve that incorporate play, movement, creativity and exploring the resort. Your little one will probably end up seeing more of the town than you and letting you know which bus to take to get to Medran!
4. A Typical Day in the Life of Our Mini Skiers
Mornings kick off with ES Penguins instructors, where kids get their fill of skiing basics and snow fun. After their lessons, our club leader will pick the children up and head back to our base for a hot two course lunch. We have an afternoon snack time and offer a variety of food including fruit and veggies.
While we love for kids to continue exploring the outdoors, we also integrate rest and quieter activities so they have time to relax. Some typical activities might include:
Snow Play: Building snowmen, tobogganing, and snow painting to keep the winter fun going.
Creative Crafts: Indoor crafts or simple group games for those needing a break from the cold.
Story Time and Quiet Play: A cozy corner where kids can listen to stories or play calmly, allowing them to recharge after an active morning.
Themed days and Dance Parties: We love to incorporate themes, as well as movement and dancing so don’t be alarmed if you come to pick up your little ones and we are busy singing and dancing our hearts out and playing musical statues.
We create a flexible structure that adapts to the needs of each group. Whether they need more time to burn energy or a few more quiet moments, we are ready to make the afternoon exactly what each child needs.
5. Personalised Care and Dedicated Club Leader
We know that building trust is crucial, especially for this age group.
Our After Ski Kids Club is led by experienced, child-centered team members who get to know each child individually. Families have the chance to meet the club leader at the beginning of the week, giving parents peace of mind and letting the kids know who will be picking them up after ski school.
Plus, our team are available for babysitting if parents want a little extra time on the slopes or a night out. Just get in touch with us at Petit Verbier to book, we always aim for as much consistency as possible so if our kids club leaders are available then we’ll allocate someone your child knows to your booking. We also have nannies available for mornings for younger children if you need the full day covered!
Join Us for a Winter of Fun!
Our partnership with ES Penguins promises an engaging ski holiday which we know the children love- we’ve witnessed the smiles on their faces year after year.
The ES Penguins & Petit Verbier After-Ski Kids Club creates a seamless experience for families looking for that perfect mix of activity, fun, and rest for their children, all under the care of experienced professionals. Our team are fully insured, first aid trained, reference checked, police checked, highly experienced and of course love caring for children.
Feel free to reach out to book or to ask any questions about how we can make your family ski holiday the best it can be!
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