Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

Tour Operator Childcare

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
As I am about to become a father for the first time, I read with interest the recent topics on taking the kids skiing. Having read through a number of the larger Tour Operators brochures ( Crystal , Skiworld, First Choice etc. ) I was interested if any other Snowheads had any experiences or comments regarding which operators have provided a good service.

I understand that experiences may be 'muddied' or even better than average due to the individual nannies etc employed from one year to the next, but I wondered if there was a common feeling on whether, say Crystal are better organised than First Choice etc.

Any experiences to share or comments to make appreciated.

[ I expect to take the new Baby Richie_S away in the 2007 season when, all things being equal, he/she should be 14 months old and therefore potentially in the nursery or creche facilities - so it is this area of childcare I am most interested in ]

Cheers,

Richie_S
ski holidays
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Esprit are the specialists. Not sure First Choice are doing creche any more, as they don't run clubhotels these days. I've rarely had anything but complaints from people who tried the local resort service, not usually because it was poor, but because of the language barrier (between parents and carers, not kids and kids!). There are a couple of English childcare providers in/around the 3V area - Snowkidz and Les Farfadets. Google them to see what they offer.

Alternatively ............... leave the anklebiters with Granny and have a holiday.
snow report
 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?
Richie_S, We have used both large tour operator (Crystal) and small (Ski Hillwood). Once you get the search engine going the list of different providers seems endless. Not used Esprit, but heard lots of good things about them.

The whole package of short transfer and personal service may also be important to you. Living where you do you might drive (just not an option for us)

One thing to remember is that you may have to book quite a long way ahead. For example the first week in March (which being outside French school holidays you think would be quiet) can be busy full of Brits booking up for the better snow, when no school holidays but need childcare for an under two, where the ratios will be smaller and hence fewer places.

English speaking nannies who work for a British firm seem to work best for those I have spoken to, particularly if little one is a bit unwell etc.
snow report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Richie_S, Some advice freely given from experience of taking two kids skiing every year since they were 3 months old!
If you use an operator with a Nanny service check the Nanny is qualified, check they are actually staying with your baby (not sunbathing outside or chatting to their mate in the next chalet) and finally go back at odd times during the day to check they are caring for your child! A proffesional, operator will not mind your questions and asking for proof of a Nanny's quals. should not pose a problem.
The medium size operator's may be tempted to cut corner's
wink
Friends of our's who currently have 'Nanny' needing age children reccomend Ski Espirit.
Although taking a (non-skiing)Granny is always the best option where possible.

PS. Always check that a stair gate in the chalet will stop a child falling down the stair's! Shocked
ski holidays
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I have used both Ski Esprit and Mark Warner who were both good. The staff were professional and this gave us confidence. In addition to checking qualifications and so on, it's worth trying to find out where exactly the nurseries are based. With a company like Mark Warner who run hotel scale accommodation, the childcare was located in the hotel but with Esprit who tend to have chalets, the childcare was in another chalet which can sometimes be a bit of a hike and involve quite a bit of planning, especially if you have lessons to get out for.
snow conditions
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Mark Warner have been very good for us since we started taking our Son at 3 years old. Glad to say he does not need the childcare any longer, but we are still going to Tignes with MW at Christmas. It's not just the childcare that they do well and I have had my run ins with them at times.
snow conditions
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I agree with CP, on Mark Warner. As CP says they are not perfect, but then who is.
snow conditions
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Just to confirm: My 'run ins' with MW had nothing to do with childcare, it was always excellent.
snow conditions
 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.
Thanks for the comments, some more stuff to add to my list of criteria. In general i think i am tending towards either Crystal.. whose child care in their brochures looks good, Ski Esprit ( nothing like going with a specialist, and i've only seen good comments so far - plus going through their brochure they look pretty good, with reasonable value ). My other alternative would seem to be Ski beat, again look good from their brochure. First Choice, seemed limited to Alp D'huez for childcare - this is a shame, as I have always gone First Choice when I can, (pre-family) having had nothing but good experiences with them, and poorer experiences with others (Neilson in particular are on my name and shame list ).

Mark Warner, I'll need to look into, so thanks for the tip-off.

My main observation with the bigger operators, like Crystal, seems to be that to get childcare in the accomodation you are staying at ( best for all by the sound of things ) you need to stay in their larger resort hotels. Which will be fine if it is my wife, baby and I, but not so great if we go with a group, when the common areas of chalets is more appealing ( I percieve a lack of real baby friendly common space in most hotels ! ) Hence, Ski beat looks attractive from that point of view.

Other than that, it looks like my choices come down to filling a chalet from any operator with like minded friends with families and either running a 'family rota' of childcare, or seeking out a private nanny in resort if we can all club together ( thou not relying on this ! )...

I'm already expecting that the pick of accomodation that scores well on all criteria is going to be limited and hence booking early is my plan ( preview brochures for 2007 are due out imminently ! )... I was tempted to book up before the baby is born - but that raised a few eyebrows at home ! Smile

I like the idea of popping back at inopportune times to check on the level of care - I've adopted the same tactic with the builders I had in earlier in the year.... "Yes, I should be back about 5ish" and then turning up at 3 !
ski holidays
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
BTW, I wasn't intending to put Alp D'Huez down in that last post - I've just been there a couple of times and whilst happy to go back ( it has quite a lot to offer ! ) I'd like to have a number of options !
snow report
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Richie_S, Please remember that the smaller/medium operators do not neccsarily have the back up resources should a Nanny become unavailable Sad Sad they may even be tempted to pretend that a Nanny is qualified, but a small/medium size reputable operator wouldn't do that would they?
The large ops also have H&S advisors to help them ensure that the chalet is a child safe environment, a small / medium operator may not!

As I said earlier our friends reccomend Espirit and also MW.
snow report
 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.
Richie_S, welcome to the Ski Parent Club - you are asking all the right questions and getting excellent answers.
When our kids were 14 months we used Ski Esprit, and they were excellent, but that was 12 years ago.
I agree that having the creche in the hotel or chalet you are staying in is a good idea.
You mention you might pop back "at inopportune times to check on the level of care". I you to reconsider this idea. It will unsettle both you and your child, and a random check will not give you any idea of what went on before or after.
ski holidays
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:

You mention you might pop back "at inopportune times to check on the level of care". I you to reconsider this idea. It will unsettle both you and your child, and a random check will not give you any idea of what went on before or after.

Jonpim, Totally agree. Same goes for the first skiing lesson. Keep out of the way, do not interfere. Kids are not daft, if they see you they will think - Hmm. rather be with Mum or Dad, lets make a scene. Same goes for first thing in a morning. drop them at the creche and GO. Leave a mobile number for emergencies but dont be fooled into thinking it is only your child that doesnt want to be left. Not only will hanging around be bad for your skiing, but the staff dont usually appreciate it either. It will aslo break your hearl. If you cant manage this then I would stay at home until kids are old enough to enjoy the holiday.
snow conditions
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
My 2p worth would be that childcare is possibly the most important factor that you will need to consider if you are to make the holiday enjoyable. You will not enjoy your skiing one bit if you have concerns about how your little one is doing.

We have used specialist family operators and also used another operator that decided to offer a nanny service. My own preference would defintely be the family specialist, such as ski esprit, ski hillwood etc. You have to accept that they are judged almost entirely on the quality of their childcare. I had some great holidays with a company that decided to one year offer a nanny service, but that aspect really didn't work and they should have stayed within their area of specialism. Childcare or a nanny service is much more than an add-on extra.

Like others, on our own experience, I would recommend ski esprit, but then ski hillwood were also good.

We never tried going with our kids and also with friends without children, which you are suggesting that you might do. I could imagine that may create some tensions as with a youngster, you will have so little flexibility in what you do. Others on here would be better placed to comment on this aspect, but much would depend on how good a friend they are beforehand.
ski holidays
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Jonpim,
Quote:

You mention you might pop back "at inopportune times to check on the level of care". I you to reconsider this idea. It will unsettle both you and your


If my relative had not popped back to the chalet to 'keep an eye from a distance' they would not have found their baby at the foot of a stone staircase a broken stairgate and the supposed 'qualified Nanny' in the Chalet next door!

Perhaps this is why

Quote:
the staff don't usually appreciate it either
[/quote]Frosty the Snowman
latest report
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Richie_S, I stayed in the Crystal Hotel Turquoise in Belle Plagne a couple of years ago. (late availability, single occupancy - kids long grown up). Those who had youngsters in the creche and a bit older seemed very happy with the place and the services. Kid friendly meal times and menu are also important factors and specialist family hotels / chalets get these right. The Turquoise is right on a 'piste' on the edge of BP village. ESF beginners classes outside the front door.
Many many years ago we took my daughter to Flaine when she was 11 months old. Very French hotel and creche. Not too successful - she learned to cry in French. English speaking staff will make a big difference.
Ski Beat have quite a few chalets in Plan Peisey (Les Arcs). Can't comment on the company but the area is great.
ski holidays
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
In our experience the size of the operator makes a huge difference, small to medium operators do not have the critical mass to employ qualified Nannies at all times.
latest report
 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?
One very important trait I noticed with Mark Warner Nannies was they all loved kids, you could tell this instantly by the way they interact with children. Another observation is that the 'Nanny' is a totally different beast to the rest of the chalet staff, with a tendency to act or appear to act a little more sensibly, especially on the big night off.
snow conditions
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
More great feedback. Thanks ! I'll check out Ski Hillwood...
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
We've been using skibeat for many years and have always found them excellent. If you do a search on me you should find all my various comments.
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
We stayed in the chalets in La Rosiere, there are 5 together in one building, some are Thomson, some are Crystal. This has child care shared between the 5 chalets, so has the benefit of being in the same building as the chalet and being good for groups. Each chalet has a small sitting area, then there's a big shared one downstairs. The child care last year was excellent, we didn't book it but this didn't stop our 8 yr old going to the Christmas party and spending time with the nannies while they were supervising the other kids in the chalet. We also stayed in Tignes in the club chalet Lavachet, again Crystal with on site nannies, we didn't use the child care but saw it operating and were very happy with it.
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:

with a tendency to act or appear to act a little more sensibly, especially on the big night off.

Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing

'Appear to', definitely.
snow report



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy