This past Christmas, my family and I decided to do something completely different and try our very first ski holiday together. Only some of us had skied to a basic level before, so choosing the right place felt really important. We opted for Club Med Les Arcs Panorama in France, and it turned out to be a great decision for a first‑time ski family.

I travelled with my wife and our teenage children, and one of the things that immediately worked well for us was the interconnecting room, which gave us space while still feeling connected. Overall, the resort felt like a strong four‑star experience comfortable, well run and very easy for families to navigate.

What really sold Club Med to us was how much was included. Having ski lessons, equipment hire and an all‑inclusive setup made the whole experience far less daunting, especially as complete beginners. We didn’t have to worry about buying or renting any ski gear in advance everything was ready for us, stored in lockers at the hotel and easy to collect when we arrived. That alone removed a huge amount of stress.

Lessons were included too, which made a big difference. We were all able to start at the right level, and by the end of the trip I genuinely felt confident skiing and felt like I’d progressed to where I should be. Just as importantly, we all had a really good time learning.

The food was another highlight. There was a huge buffet choice at each mealtime, with something for everyone especially helpful with teenagers, plus an a la carte restaurant we enjoyed a couple of time. One of the most special moments of the whole trip was our Christmas Eve dinner out in the local village, sitting together as a family eating great food, surrounded by a Christmas parade and fireworks, a real white Christmas and we had a really great time. Spending Christmas away in a very relaxed way (outside of the physical rigours of skiing!) but so present with each other, ended up being the best part of the holiday.

The resort itself is very family‑friendly, and the setting is beautiful. The views are stunning and really add to the experience. There’s also a shuttle service to numerous local villages which ran smoothly and on time during our stay. That said, next time I’d probably choose to stay in the centre of the village, although Club Med was ski in-ski out, just so it’s easier to enjoy the local village life.

If I had one small criticism, it would be that the Christmas programming was released by Club Med quite late (like two days after we checked in 😊) which was a little disappointing initially. However, that quickly faded into the background it was an amazing program and had lots to offer.

Overall, for a family who had never skied together before, Club Med felt like excellent value for money even when paying premium prices over peak time. Everything was well organised, inclusive and designed to make the experience enjoyable rather than overwhelming. We came away with great memories, a new confidence on the slopes, and a strong feeling that this is something we’d love to do again.