 Poster: A snowHead
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| Megamum wrote: |
| Well at least it doesn't seem an 'off the wall idea' judging by the response above - thanks folks. I guess the scenario that I am most concerned by is the one you hope you doesn't happen (and therefore shouldn't plan your life around) and that's the scenario of me being stretchered off the mountain, i.e. the same issue that I worry about when up in the hills during the summer (esp. since my unscheduled stop off down the side of a path where my elbow had a meeting with large rock a few weeks back - something I was lucky enough to walk away from and at the time was up there with an another adult). |
Have you considered a joint trip with others in similar situation? A local ski club maybe. That way if the worst happened there are other adults around to help cope.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well at the moment I'm trying to decide whether to find some other family to share a large chalet that I've been offered or whether to do something with just the 3 of us.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You will also need a letter from the other parent or from social services to say you have permission to take the children on holiday.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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joneski, ?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| joneski wrote: |
| You will also need a letter from the other parent or from social services to say you have permission to take the children on holiday. |
That never even occurred to me in all the years I took my son skiing and my ex took him on other holidays, so not sure of the need for that.
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It can be helpful. It was certainly expected when I got quizzed at Calgary airport and didn't have one. I've never been asked for one in Europe though.
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joneski, It's never been needed yet. I have parental responsibility so it shouldn't be needed.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Worst case (although fairly unlikely) is you being laid up in hospital some distance from the resort. To mitigate against this I'd be inclined to go for a hotel or chalet accomodation so in the worst case scenario there will be someone who can ensure the kids are ok while relief support flys out to help.
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Megamum, You won't need it!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Megamum, I've been taking my now 10 year old daughter on my own for the last 5 years (she was 9 on the last trip) and whilst I do occasionally have the concerns that you explored I've always tried to look at the positives rather than the potential downsides, otherwise I'd never do it! We've always been with Ski Esprit and having other families around has always helped smooth over any "bumps" when daughter tries to fall out with dad, and I don't think the cost is too much considering the offer. We've not got to the stage yet where she ski's faster in control than me but there have been a few incidents where she's dashed off of control and I've had a gulp moment. Anyway we're already booked with Esprit again for Meribel in January, a resort that I'm confident that I can find Hannah enough runs that she'll enjoy and be safe on.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Megamum, Ski school is the answer really as I know I cant keep up with my daughter and it is no fun trying. She is bored and I am knackered. That way they ski with people of their own ability and she has always enjoyed it.
In Whistler now they even tag each child so they can't get lost. You can view all the details of what they have been doing which is great fun for them reliving the day and showing how fast and far they have been.
All the other advice is great and will mitigate any issues to a level that is so small you just have to go with it.
The world of skiing is full of helpful people and things just happen in my experience. Last year a friend I was skiing with broke his leg, the insurance was the best £25 he had ever spent. The mountain organisation kicks in and sort you out to the hospital and back to the hotel. Then the insurance gets you back home. Loads of people helped out and many more offers of help.
So don't worry enjoy. Yes take more people with you if you can but you will have a great time by your self too.
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Hi,
I can't speak for other countries but certainly in France the whole mountain rescue proceedures are well organised, and all the mountain staff, paramedeics, ski instructors etc can speak to each other via radio. And as Pam says - they won't be on their own at half term!
If you hurt yourself seriously enough that you need to be stretchered off (which is pretty unlikely) your children will be asked to follow the stretcher down if they ski well enough to do so. They will then be allowed to ride in the ambulance with you. In the event that they couldn't manage to follow the stretcher they would be taken to a lift by one of the paramedics and downloaded via the lift.
I would second the view here, that if you are the only adult on the trip, giving the children access to EHIC cards, insurance etc just in case makes sense. It is also a good idea (depending on your children obviously!) that they know where the holiday money and your credit card is kept, and that they have or know a phone number for a family member or friend in the Uk who could help in a real emergency.
If you are still concerned about this, I would recommend that you booked with a chalet company where you'll have a host or UK tour operator who arranges self catered so that there is a rep in resort. In the event that you had to stay in hospital, they would come and pick the kids up, sort out childminding and liase with the insurance company/uk friends and family etc for you. It happens very rarely but all of the large uk companys have policies for dealing with serious injury and take things like that very seriously. We have quite a few people holidaying on their own, and they will sometimes leave insurance details or route maps with us just in case.
Please don't worry though - there is very little chance of you having a problem, and every chance that you'll have a great family holiday.
Happy planning!
Heather
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You know it makes sense.
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Megamum, I think if I was going to take my boys on my own (I have skied with them on my own many times but not for a whole holiday) then I would choose somewhere we knew well. Makes life so much easier. I was helicoptered off the mountain last trip - we were on a day visit to an area new to us (car in one village, me in med centre in another). Was tricky enough having OH with me, would not have wanted to be on my own with the boys although the eldest is a competent leader when he wants to be.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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OK, so I've taken the plunge, I've booked a week in Flachau (a place I've never been to!) with the kids next Feb Half Term  (I think!)
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Poster: A snowHead
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Megamum, You think? you have
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Megamum,
Have a great time, from my own experience of Flachau at half term I would not put the kids into ski school untill you have tried it. I may have been unlucky but Flachau was absolutely mobbed with Dutch on their holidays but just up the road Zauchensee was very quiet.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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holidayloverxx, The 'I think!' was to 'qualify' the smiley not the fact that I'd booked the place! Yes, folks I'm staying at holidayloverxx's, new place - isn't that great?
Lots to sort out in the next few months - I've never had to do all the organising for a ski trip by myself before. I shall probably report back if I need help with anything.
I guess now I am going to 'literally' have to stand on my own two feet with the skiing and ski whatever I meet somehow. I can see a refresher session with IO at Hemel being on the agenda sometime in the 6 weeks prior to going being a handy thing to do. It's all about having the confidence to 'ski stuff' and I think if I can do this trip then I will do my skiing the world of good.
Oh yes, and I have already acquired two more mobile phones for the kids!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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T Bar, The Dutch holidays are the week after Megamum is going
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