Valmorel

I was looking for a ski holiday for the kids, and since Dora is allergic to cold weather, this became a one-man operation. Taking two children skiing on your own requires military-level planning. Somehow, you have to keep them entertained on the slopes all day and still have enough energy left for the evenings.

In the end, I gave up trying to organise everything myself and booked a Club Med ski holiday. It wasn't cheap, but I have to admit... it was money well spent.

The formula is dangerously simple. Unlimited food (I can eat a lot), unlimited drinks (I can drink a lot), ski lessons for the kids, and enough organisation that all I had to do was remember how to snowboard again.

Unfortunately, snowboarding is not like riding a bicycle. Three years without touching a board cannot be undone by going to the gym three times the week before the holiday. My legs politely reminded me of that every morning.

The kids improved dramatically during the week, while I mostly improved my ability to locate the nearest après-ski bar and the dessert buffet. By the end of the trip, everyone was happy, although only the children looked fitter than when we arrived.

The only real adventure happened outside the resort. Our airport transfers turned into a comedy. On the way there, our taxi couldn't continue because it didn't have snow chains, leaving us stranded halfway up the mountain. On the way back, the police stopped our driver because he didn't have the correct licence, forcing us into an unexpected €300 taxi ride. Not exactly the kind of all-inclusive experience we had paid for.

So, was Club Med expensive? Absolutely.

Could you organise a similar ski holiday yourself for less money? Definitely.

Is it worth paying the premium?

If you ask Alex the traveller, the answer is a firm no.

If you ask Alex the parent, it's an equally firm yes.

The best part of the week wasn't even the skiing. We met another family, the kids became good friends, and we've already decided to book another trip together next year.

Apparently, I haven't learned my lesson... but at least next time I'll make sure I recover part of the cost through the open bar.