Family skiing holidays with an au pair

Taking an au pair on your family skiing holiday can enhance your experience by providing dedicated childcare support and flexibility. Whether you're staying at a family ski chalet, a chalet hotel, or a family ski hotel, having an au pair ensures peace of mind while enjoying your family ski trip. However, this arrangement also requires careful planning. Here are some things to consider before your holiday.

Key considerations before you go

Legal and visa requirements

• Confirm any visa requirements for the country you are entering and where applicable ensure your au pair’s exchange programme permits international travel. Ensure any documentation for the destination country is in order.
• Ensure their contract clearly outlines travel expectations, duties, working hours, time off, and expenses during the holiday.

Financial and practical logistics

• Decide who covers their travel costs during the holiday including lift passes, equipment hire, ski lessons or ski school fees.
• Provide suitable accommodation which offers privacy, consistent with their living arrangements at home. Many family friendly ski resorts offer easy access to nursery slopes. Many also offer off slope activities such as ice skating and other fun activities for the whole family.
• Prepare an emergency plan covering medical facilities, communication, and alternative childcare options if the au pair is unavailable. Some resorts provide their own Crystal childcare or a dedicated childcare team to support parents and children aged from toddlers to older kids.

Au pair well-being

• Ensure the au pair receives their agreed days off, even during the holiday. You may consider including them in your ski lessons to become familiar with the environment.
• Maintain clear communication about expectations well in advance to ensure a hassle free holiday experience.
• Look at booking at resorts with reliable snow conditions in high altitude, such as La Plagne, Val d'Isère, or the Three Valleys ski area. These are known for their great value and family holiday appeal whilst also offering alternative entertainment for anyone you doesn't ski.

Insurance considerations

Family skiing holidays and au pair arrangements each carry unique insurance needs. These are some things to look out for when choosing your cover:

1. Travel insurance

• Policy restrictions: Some policies exclude winter sports cover so it’s important to check your planned activities, such as skiing or snowboarding, are included. Depending on where you're travelling to, especially if you're visiting the France part of the Alps, you may require worldwide cover. This is another common restriction. It can help to work with a broker to ensure you have the right cover you need.
• Cancellation cover: Look for policies with compensation for skiing interruptions due to weather or emergencies, and protection against trip cancellations. Cancellation cover is typically offered per-person so it’s important to ensure the total cost of your trip is covered. This includes any all inclusive package deals or half board options you may have booked.
• Medical cover: Essential for injuries, mountain rescue (including helicopter evacuation), and repatriation. Be sure to check the limits of any cover, you may require emergency medical expenses coverage up to £10 million. This is especially important when travelling with younger children who may be participating in ski lessons or older children who may be doing other activities.
• Equipment protection: Covers loss, theft, or damage to ski equipment, including rented gear. If hiring equipment, look for a policy which will reimburse replacement hire costs if equipment is delayed. Don’t forget essentials like ski socks and sun cream which are vital for comfort and protection on the slopes.
• Pre-existing conditions: Disclose any medical conditions to ensure coverage.

2. Insurance for your au pair

• Travel insurance: As with your own cover ensure winter sports are covered as well as any medical conditions and equipment. If your au pair is a permanent resident of your home they may be covered by your policy, depending on the cover you have in place.
• Employers liability insurance: When you hire an au pair they are your employee. One crucial cover to consider is employers liability insurance. This protects you against claims made following an injury or illness as a result of their work.
• Health insurance:
  • EU au pairs may use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), however cover can be limited.
  • Non-EU au pairs or those in non-EU countries generally require private health insurance. Depending on your contract this may need to be arranged and paid for by yourself as the host family.
  • Pay attention to exclusions and look for cover which includes consultations, hospitalisation, emergency dental care, medication, and medical repatriation.

Having the right insurance in place allows you to enjoy your family skiing holidays with peace of mind. You'll have the comfort of knowing your friendly team of ski experts and private nanny services can support you and your family. All while your au pair helps with teaching kids and supervising kids clubs. This way, everyone can make new friends and have a safe, enjoyable holiday.

Travel insurance can be complex and cover can vary greatly from policy to policy. If you would like to discuss your specific requirements, complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will contact you.