With winter vacation approaching, besides reuniting for the New Year, where else can you take your kids? alive recommends an all-in-one parent-child travel solution—a single destination that takes the hassle out of travel planning for parents. No more rushing between cities or switching hotels, allowing kids to learn through play and turning the winter break into a shared learning journey for the whole family.
Riding the cable car up to the mountaintop, 7-year-old Hong Zijun excitedly gazes at the snow-covered landscape. Before long, he stands atop the hill and glides down the vast snowy expanse, relishing the thrill of skiing through the trees. With steady steps, he smoothly comes to a stop at the designated point. The Australian instructor nods in approval, praising his perfect form. This is the Sahoro Ski Resort in Hokkaido. It’s hard to imagine that just three days ago, Hong Zijun was a complete skiing novice.
In recent years, ski resorts have introduced all-inclusive packages, perfect for families looking for a winter holiday experience. For example, Yabuli, located deep in the Greater Khingan Mountains of Heilongjiang, boasts Asia’s longest beginner slope; Hokkaido’s Sahoro Resort features premium powder snow… Both collaborate with France’s National Ski School to offer age- and skill-level-appropriate children’s ski lessons. “Kids who’ve never skied before can get the hang of it in just three days!” says Hong Zijun’s mother, parenting writer Choyce.
Alpine skiing is a full-body sport that demands high coordination, joint control, and excellent balance. “It’s easy to quit when playing ball games gets tiring, but skiing is different. Once you’re on the cable car up the mountain, you have no choice but to ski down,” Choyce explains. For kids, skiing challenges their fears more than other sports, and mastering it brings a greater sense of achievement. Three years ago, she decided to have her two children (then aged 9 and 7) learn from scratch under the guidance of an Australian instructor.
Letting Kids Overcome Obstacles on Their Own
Even just practicing walking in ski boots on the snow was tough for them. Hong Zijun once cried out of fear and almost wanted to quit. Following the instructor’s commands, he practiced walking in ski boots through the snowy woods. At one point, he lost his balance and fell, struggling to get up from the soft snow. With help from a G.O. (Gentle Organizer), he finally managed to stand up—though he had fallen behind. But he adjusted his boots and pushed forward through the snow, eventually catching up.
Next came learning how to ski. “Raise your hands and fly like Peter Pan,” the Australian instructor explained the basics of skiing, letting the kids practice on the spot. Those with better balance even played a game of eagle-catching-chickens among the trees. Their perseverance paid off—three days later, the siblings were able to take the cable car up the mountain and ski down in sequence, enjoying the thrill of the sport. The resort even prepared commemorative medals, giving them a great sense of accomplishment for having learned to ski.
Over the past three years, Choyce has consistently planned annual trips back to the Sahoro Ski Resort, allowing her kids to take structured, leveled ski lessons. This year, they even participated in ice fishing on a frozen lake outside the resort, waiting three hours to catch a fish—a lesson in patience. “When moms let go, kids learn to stand up on their own, overcome obstacles, and keep moving forward,” Choyce says. This is the biggest difference between skiing and other sports, and it’s also where she and her children have discovered the true meaning of growth.
Quick Facts » Club Med Ski Resorts
Suitable for: Ages 4 and up
Skills Developed: Skiing ability, foreign language skills
Recommended Duration: 5 days/4 nights or more
Cost: From NT$51,000 per adult, from NT$27,700 for children aged 4 and above
Website: www.clubmed.com.tw
Locations: Sahoro and Tomamu in Japan; Yabuli and Beidahu in China
Note: Bring your own ski jacket, hat, and gloves; standard ski gear can be rented at the resort
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