Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Share Photos of First Family Ski Trip

— -- Prince William and Duchess Kate took Prince George and Princess Charlotte on their first ski trip to the French Alps and shared the adorable photos with the public.

"The Duke and Duchess are delighted to share new photos of their family enjoying a short ski break,” Kensington Palace said. “The Duke and Duchess hope people enjoy the photos."

The couple, who are both avid skiers, took a long weekend to the Alps to introduce their children to the sport.

George and Charlotte are both bundled up in snow suits and wooly hats in the new photos. Charlotte, who is two months shy of her first birthday, has grown up since the public's last glimpse of her. In one of the photos, Charlotte, who is fourth in line to the throne, can be seen with two tiny teeth as she is cuddled by her father.

The photographs also captured a lighthearted moment of the couple’s getting into a snowball fight, with Kate appearing to win. The athletic couple has been known to take on challenges from the tennis court to the ski slopes to healthy competitions on Royal tours with Kate often beating her husband.

It was the first time the children ever had played in the snow, a spokeswoman from Kensington Palace said.

"This was their first holiday as a family of four and the first time either of the children had played in the snow,” she said. “It was very special and fun short holiday for the family, and they are grateful that [photographer] John Stillwell was able to capture the moment so well."

Stillwell, the highly regarded Press Association photographer, has photographed Prince George in the past and is well-liked by the royal family for his discretion and ability to capture iconic moments. He snapped the first photos of Prince George at the butterfly exhibit at the Natural History museum and also took photos of George right after his birth when it appeared he had already mastered the “Royal Wave.”

William and Kate have been busy in the New Year with a number of engagements dedicated to raising awareness of children's mental health. They managed to squeeze in the short vacation before they return to work later this week for an event that highlights preventative steps to help children contemplating suicide.