Did Stacey & Joe’s Swiss family ski adventure inspire UK viewers to book a ski holiday?
Did you watch it too? Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash transformed their February 2024 family ski holiday to Switzerland into must-watch telly in their BBC One reality doc. The trip showcased the reality TV couple navigating the challenges and triumphs of introducing their five children to skiing at a resort specifically chosen because “the mountain was perfect for her youngest children.” We’ve seen a huge number of family enquiries already and even regular skiers asking about Switzerland for their next trip, as the show “Stacey & Joe” has inspired thousands of families to consider a choc-box Swiss ski resort for their own alpine adventures.
The family’s journey to Villars-sur-Ollon began with an unintended Valentine’s Day stopover in Paris – yes I hear you, was it really an accident to end up in Paris on Valentines? As a former BBC producer and director, I would say no it was likely a pre-written plot point, but it’s a cute twist in TV that’s pretty harmless fun. The contrivance was essentially that missing their connecting train from the UK had turned a travel mishap into what Stacey described as “the best mistake that ever happened” as the boys loved the impromptu Eiffel Tower visit. This ‘authentic’ moment set the tone for a week that Stacey would later describe as “the most special, tiring, adrenaline-pumping, crazy week,” which pretty much describes how family ski holidays for all our clients balance exercise with unforgettable family memories.
Stacey and Joe focussed on affordable family skiing
The Swash-Solomon family’s approach to managing skiing costs resonated strongly with viewers who are concerned about ski holiday costs in Switzerland (there are much cheaper countries to ski in). Rather than staying in expensive hotels, the family shared a ski chalet with Stacey’s sister Jemma’s family and brother Matthew’s family, which is a great way to reduce accommodation costs but also create a multi-generational holiday away together. As a the organiser of our family ski trips I have to agree with Stacey’s Instagram Stories post that “Switzerland in general I think is super expensive so we just made all of our food apart from two meals we had out.” To keep cost manageable we tend to pick all-inclusive but sometimes squeeze in a self-catering trip on the cheap by making homemade sandwiches and cooking dinners in the lodge kitchen like Stacey and Joe did.
Like most of our clients, the timing of February half-term was ideal for the family’s ski adventure and all five children (Zachary, Leighton, Rex, Rose, and Belle) joined ski lessons for to their age group. Villars has a few family-friendly options and I recommend the sticking to the top 10 best family ski resorts for our clients because they have the top ski schools and their wider selection makes for more affordable prices. Wherever you choose it’s really important to book kids ski lessons months ahead for Feb half-term as everyone wants to book them. Villars is known for great children’s programs the the 1,300m base altitude makes it goodfor young beginners, with gentler slopes and shorter transfer times than higher Alpine resorts (mid Feb is usually snowsure enough to not need high altitudes).
Stacey’s choice of a stylish black and white ski suit sparked a few fashion conversations across social media where fans comparing her to a “Bond Girl” but Joe’s colourful thermal ski suit became a bit of an eye-popping highlight. After calling it “the most hideous thing” Stacey later admitted she “ended up loving Joe’s suit more than he did” because she “could see him a mile off” on the slopes. We all know how much that can help when you’re managing 5 kids across a ski resort (I recommend Crazy Ears which you can stick on to kids helmets).
Did you see their toddler Belle stole the show on Swiss slopes?
The family’s youngest member became a bit of a hit on social media when Stacey posted a video of Belle giggling and skiing down gentle nursery slopes. Stacey’s post is called “Hearing Belle scream with laughter going down the slopes is the best” and it went viral across multiple platforms because it showed even toddlers can enjoy learning to ski. I think this moment gets to the heart of what made the family’s ski holiday so compelling for viewers, because ski holidays are about creating joy and memories together.
The kids’ progress over the week provided lots of content for Stacey’s socials as they developed their skiing with the Swiss instructors. The ski resort’s gentle nursery slopes and dedicated children’s areas made it ideal for their family with mixed abilities, and the variety of terrain helps you progress from beginner to a sort of lower-intermediate level within a single holiday.
The BBC documentary brought the Swiss Alps to British living rooms
The ski holiday episode is part of the “Stacey & Joe” series produced by Optomen for BBC One which is what made skiing feel approachable and mainstream. The Creative Directors Tina Flintoff and Nick Hornby are overseeing production of the fly-on-the-wall documentary which was commissioned to offer “unprecedented access” to the family’s Essex home Pickle Cottage and their lives.
TV critics have given a mixed reception with Yahoo Entertainment questioning the staging aspects (like Paris mentioned above?) and Digital Spy forums lovling the “down to earth” approach. The main metric is probably the fact that audience engagement remains strong and with Clare Sillery (Head of Commissioning for BBC Docs) said viewers had “taken Stacey, Joe their kids and beloved pets to their hearts.” I think the ski holiday episode was successful in positioning family skiing as an achievable holiday aspiration rather than an exclusive luxury.
Stacey’s Instagram following of 6 million users also amplified the ski trip’s reach with an average post engagement of 223,000 likes and showing a big audience interest in family ski content. I think her honest/likeable comments like “the family who ski together probably won’t talk to each other for a few weeks now” paired with “I’m joking (but not)” captured the exciting and tiring reality of family holidays and really emphasized their value. This nice balance of humour and honesty helped normalise the challenges of traveling with young children and was clearly celebrating the achievement.
Does Switzerland appear the perfect starter ski resort for UK families?
The Solomon-Swash family’s choice to go skiing in Switzerland does validate the country’s place as an ideal introduction to family skiing, and I would pick Switzerland if not worried about booking a cheapie.
I think the best family ski resorts in Switzerland are destinations like Saas Fee (for snow-sure) St Moritz (for stress-free all-inclusive) Nendaz (cheaper) or Klosters (royal family favourite) and you can ski for less if you pick France family ski resorts with the Famille Plus rating or the great-value family ski resorts in Italy and Austria.
Stacey’s previous skiing on TV includes appearing on Channel 4’s “The Jump,” and describing herself as “the least athletic person” during that competition, I think her confidence managing five children on a ski holiday inspired viewers who might question their own capabilities. The reality element for me showed the trip’s success despite the missed train and exhaustion – it really proves that imperfect family holidays still create perfect memories.
What did the show do for general public perception of family ski trips?
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s Villars ski adventure transcended the usual celebrity holiday coverage by giving real insights into family skiing like logistics, budgetting and even managing toddlers on piste. I think their honest portrayal helps show that family skiing creates irreplaceable memories regardless of skill level or age and that resonated across demographics.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Stacey and Joe’s ski holiday episode air on BBC?
The ski holiday to Villars featured in the “Stacey & Joe” series on BBC One on Monday 16th September 2025. The series attracted strong viewership and has stayed available on BBC iPlayer for UK viewers.
Where did Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash stay in the Alps?
The family shared a ski chalet with Stacey’s sister Jemma’s family and stayed near her brother Matthew in the Swiss ski resort of Villars. Rather than booking expensive hotels they opted for self-catered chalet accommodation for their multi-family large ski group.
How much does a family ski holiday to Switzerland cost?
Swiss lift passes range from CHF 65-75 per day for adults and CHF 43-50 for kids and family accommodation starts from around £7,500 per week for a chalet sleeping 8-10 people but most British skiers book a catered chalet with meals included. Group ski lessons cost approximately CHF 60-80 per child per day. The Solomon-Swash approach of self-catering can reduce total costs by 20-30% compared to full-board hotel stays.
Can toddlers really learn to ski like Belle did?
Yes, many ski resorts offer “Baby Ski” programs from 18 months old which use specialised equipment including ski harnesses, tiny skis, and patient instructors trained in toddler development. Sessions are usually kept short at 30-45 minutes to match attention spans and focus on play-based learning and building confidence.
What are the best affordable family ski resorts for families?
Skiing in Switzerland might seem quite glam but resorts in other countries can be cheaper:
- Les Gets, France has 120km of slopes, excellent ski schools and barely 1.5 hours from Geneva
- Livigno, Italy is a duty-free resort with affordable dining and extensive beginner areas
- Bansko, Bulgaria is budget-friendly with modern lifts, 75km of slopes
- Andorra (Grandvalira/Soldeu) has tax-free shopping, 210km of slopes and is family-focused
- Alpe d’Huez, France has virtually guaranteed snow, extensive beginner zones and very reasonable accommodation
For Swiss alternatives similar to Villars, I would recommend Grindelwald (scenic, family-friendly) or Saas-Fee (car-free, glacier skiing).
How do you manage skiing with 5 children of different ages?
The Solomon-Swash approach showed several top tips to book your trip by:
- Book age-appropriate ski schools (most resorts offer programs from 3 years)
- Choose resorts with centralized ski schools near accommodation
- Consider morning-only lessons to avoid trying to learn while tired
- Use bright distinctive clothing to easily spot them (like Joe’s colourful suit)
- Get older kids to help supervise younger siblings during breaks
- Accept that perfect coordination is impossible and embrace the chaos!
Is February half-term the best time for family skiing?
February half-term has reliable snow and longer daylight hours but comes with a higher price (+20% to +30%) and busier slopes so my alt’ times to recommend include:
- Early January (post-New Year) with quieter slopesand lower prices
- Mid-March has better weather, softer snow and end-of-season deals
- Easter holidays mean longer days, spring skiing conditions and are my family’s fave time to go on ski holiday
- Early December has the cheapest rates and quieter resorts is but less snow sure
What’s the easiest way to get to the Alps from the UK?
The Solomon-Swash family took the train via Paris (with an ‘unplanned’ overnight stop) but standard routes include:
- Flying to Geneva (90 minutes from most UK airports) then 1.5-hour transfer
- Train via Paris: Eurostar to Paris, TGV to Geneva/Lausanne and local train to resort
- Driving 10-12 hours from Calais is great for families with tons of luggage
- Package ski holidays are the most common way to ski hassle-free and we can thousands of ski deals with flights/train and resort transfers included
Do you need to be able to ski to take children on a ski holiday?
No – many parents successfully manage ski holidays without skiing themselves:
- Book children into full-day ski school while exploring a choc-box pretty resort
- Take beginner lessons alongside children or separately if you prefer
- Pick non-skiing activities like snowshoeing, sledging and spa facilities
- Meet the kids for mountain lunches at restaurants that are accessible with a pedestrian (walking) lift pass
What ski clothing does a family need for a Swiss ski holiday?
Here’s my list of essential items per person but remember you can get all of these things cheaper than ski shops by checking sports and outdoor discount shops:
- Ski jacket and trousers (£150-250 adult set, £80-120 children)
- Base layers/thermals (£30-50 per set)
- Ski socks (£5-15 per pair, need at least 3 pairs)
- Gloves/mittens (£15-40)
- Helmet (£40-260 but often included in rental packages)
- Goggles (£30-80)
- Neck warmer/balaclava (£10-20)
Most families rent equipment in resort (about €150-200/week adults, €100-120/week kids) but a lot of adults do have their own boots if they’ve skied before.
Are there direct flights to ski resorts from the UK?
All ski resorts need a transfer from e.g. Geneva but several have much shorter plane to piste distances:
- Innsbruck is 20 minutes to Stubai Glacier and 45 minutes to Sölden
- Salzburg is 90 minutes to lots of major Austrian resorts
- Turin is 90 minutes to Milky Way (Via Lattea) resorts
- Grenoble is 90 minutes to Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes
- Chambéry: is 90 minutes to Three Valleys but can be Saturdays only
How did Stacey Solomon afford a ski holiday with 5 kids?
The family used cost-saving methods including shared accommodation with extended family, self-catering for most meals and group ski lessons instead of private and they could have saved a lot more if they had not travelled in the most expensive week of the winter season.
What other TV shows feature family ski holidays?
“Stacey & Joe” joins several programs about family skiing including The Real Housewives (regular Aspen/Vail episodes) Keeping Up with the Kardashians (multiple luxury ski episodes) Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars (features ski resort challenges) Travel Man (Richard Ayoade’s ski resort episodes) but the Solomon-Swash approach differs by showing realistic family dynamics versus luxury experiences.
Can you do a family ski holiday without ski school?
It’s possible to have a family ski holiday without ski school but I wouldn’t recommend it because you’ll miss out on professional instruction ensures proper technique and safety, age-appropriate groups which provide social interaction and parents gain free time for their own skiing or relaxation. Mainly kids progress faster with qualified instruction so I recommend a private family instructor because it’s a fun way to keep the family together.
What makes a resort “family-friendly” like Villars?
I’m think the key factors that made Villars suitable for the Solomon-Swash family are:
- Ski school meeting points close to village center
- Gentle nursery slopes separated from main runs
- Mountain restaurants accessible to non-skiers
- Non-skiing activities (ice skating, swimming, tobogganing)
- Family-focused accommodation with kitchens and multiple bedrooms
- Medical facilities and English-speaking services
- Moderate altitude (1,300m) reducing altitude sickness risk
- Short transfer times from airports (under 2 hours)
If you’ve been inspired to have a go at skiing or take the family, call our friendly experts 020 7770 6888 or pop your travel date and local airport into our ski holiday search.
