 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
A while back, I booked on an early season coaching hol to Val D'Isere in Dec, which is great.
My missus is expecting our first baby in Jan, and encouraged me to go on the trip (which was booked before we knew, plus there's sod all chance of going in 2014), which is great too.
Now, my question for the knowledgable is:
- what would be the best options for getting back to Manchester if needed at short notice, and reasonably, how long would it take?
I would of thought in sliding scale of expense:
- helicopter to Geneva [i wouldn't be worrying about this, as my private jet would already be on standby 
- taxi to Geneva, then try to get a flight on spec
- bus to Geneva, then try to get a flight
Depending on when the call came, I'd estimate 12 hours door to door.
Any tips / advice would be ace.
Taaaa
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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if it was a real posibility i think i'd drive...
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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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Maternity wards are not much fun so don't be in too much of a rush
But, and this is important, get that she encouraged this trip in writing, possibly witnessed.
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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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Well, from the due date (late Jan) I'd give it low odds, and if there was any sign, I would cancel. It'd be good to have a contingency plan tho..
Hadn't considered driving, as it's a TO jobbie, but will add to the list!
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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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 at getting it witnessed! - will get meself one of those DIY law packs (with possibly the divorce papers if they're bogoff).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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First babys are invariably late and always take ages to pop out. You'll have plenty of time to go to duty free and stock up.
I did a freestyle course about 3 weeks before Sideways_Jnr the first was born, although I'd had to promise the wife not to break a leg or anything that would render me useless.
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Driving will give you most flexibility, but will you be in a sound mind to be driving for 14 hours if OH is on way to hospital
Taxi to airport and throw yourself at mercy of staff
Worth saying that cutting trip short is unlikely to be covered by insurance as it would be classed as pre-existing/known event
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I was in a similar situation in 2009. I was in Meribel for a week, 5 weeks before the due date. My emergency evac plan was to get to Moutier or Bourg and get on 1st train out in general direction of Paris and then Eurostar. Considering most serious labour pains start in the middle of the night, I knew there was a pretty good chance I would miss the birth of our first baby but as most on here will agree, skiing is pretty important. I was, however, expected to make every effort to get home double sharpish and at almost any cost.
As long as you have a plan and are prepared to stick to it, in the unlikely event, blah blah blah....
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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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I suffered an injury during my first-born, I fell asleep with my feet up on chair and pulled the ligaments behind my knees. How much sympathy did I get? bug all.
P.S. there are no rules with childbirth, it could be way to quick for you to respond or so long you could have done another week.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Why not apply for paternity leave and stay the season? plenty of time to see the baby in years to come. You could always send a telegram wishing your wife well to show a bit of sympathy.
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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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Our first came 3-weeks early - just saying
Mind you that's normal for twins
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What about taxi down, Eurostar from Bourges, run up Euston Rd then train up to Manchester. If no Eurostar from Bourges train to Paris, taxi to Gare du Nord then Eurostar.
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You know it makes sense.
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That's a brilliant idea, wish I had thought of that. Oh, I did, see earlier post. LOL.
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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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| trickygibbon wrote: |
- what would be the best options for getting back to Manchester if needed at short notice, and reasonably, how long would it take?
I would of thought in sliding scale of expense:
- helicopter to Geneva [i wouldn't be worrying about this, as my private jet would already be on standby
- taxi to Geneva, then try to get a flight on spec
- bus to Geneva, then try to get a flight
Depending on when the call came, I'd estimate 12 hours door to door.
Any tips / advice would be ace.
Taaaa |
Look at your train to paris/ eurostar and paris/manc options as well.
Basically she will want to know that you are moving not sat on yer Aristotle!
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Poster: A snowHead
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..duplicate
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 15-11-13 18:03; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
| First babys are invariably late... |
thank you Doctor. You sure? Among my family, friends all very early.
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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 need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
Taxi to airport and throw yourself at mercy of staff
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this. Before the Christmas week there should be space on planes.
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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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6 weeks before the birth of my son I was in Dundee when I was informed that my wife had gone into labour. A few phone calls and I found there was a flight from Glasgow in 2 hours time. I persuaded a friend to drive me to the airport, bought a ticket at the desk ( These were the days before you needed a passport for internal UK flights. ) and arrived at the hospital just as they were cutting my wife open. It could easily arrive before you set off
So my advice to trickygibbon, is don't worry and think on your feet. It is not worth having a plan. If you are with a tour operator then I am sure you will find someone to drive you to the airport (or even ask in the pub). Get on the internet and see what flights are available (Geneva is probably your best bet but do not rule out Lyon, Grenoble or Chambery. Opodo is your best chance of finding a flight, but for a really quick journey be prepared to change somewhere like Amsterdam). Then just make your best effort. I haven't a clue what the insurance companies would say about and to be honest I wouldn't care. I suspect they would say it was self induced and hence your fault anyway
Oh and congratulations by the way
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Skype is your friend! She sounds understanding 
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Canoe to Moutier, thumb a lift just past Albertville to where the road comes in from Italy, then thumb a lift in a DENBY wagon back to UK. There are always DENBY wagons on that route so should be no problem.
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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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Excellent advice, all thank you. stewart woodward, Denby, as in pottery?
Does this mean I'll be sharing a lift with some swanky mugs?
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SkiG, If I had driven to Dundee today and needed to fly home I would not have my passport with me (it is not something that I carry with me in the UK) and so will not be allowed on the flight.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Either hire a car at Geneva instead of doing transfers and you will have the greatest flexibility to hit the road as soon as you need to - even if it is the middle of the night (although obviously not if you've been on the lash... the gendarmes will random test especially around Christmas). Alternatively, put the number for Europetransfer in your phone - they have buses running up and down to Geneva most days and if you smile sweetly at Liz and Kelly in the office they should be able to get you there at fairly short notice - they offered to sort something for me if I needed to get back quickly when my Dad was ill. In theory, you could be on a flight to the UK within 5 hours of leaving resort although I have no idea how many flights to Manchester there are per day and it would be pretty special to get a last minute share mid-week that met your flight times! The public bus (Altibus) takes about 5 hours to get to Geneva on their mid-week timetable. Alternately I know a guy who can drive you to the airport most days midweek for about €200!
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Quick check or post on findtransfers.com to see if anybody is going to Geneva and then catch a flight back home.
Have a note of flight schedules from Geneva to Manchester just incase. I find if I have a back up plan organised I have no need to use it.
Can she not travel with you and will the insurance cover her? If an emergency happens I was impressed with the maternity services at the hospital Bourg.
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You know it makes sense.
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| johnE wrote: |
| SkiG, If I had driven to Dundee today and needed to fly home I would not have my passport with me (it is not something that I carry with me in the UK) and so will not be allowed on the flight. |
Did you not say internal uk flight? You dont need a passport! I never carry my passport flying within the UK, driving license does the same job!
bit off topic tho!
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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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SkiG, Only photo driving licences are accepted. I do not have one hence the only accepted photo ID is your passport. I was just pointing out that I was away from home with no plan of coming home when my wife went into labour yet it all sorted out OK in the end.
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Poster: A snowHead
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ahh, makes sense now, thats a bit of a pain!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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trickygibbon, sorry- I love skiing, my family all love skiing, my wife loves skiing.
BUT - you just can't do this. Missing the birth would be bad, having an injury would be worse- and with the first child- ow.
I do have an alternative however that might keep you all happy.
Out first child was born in late December- we all went skiing for a week when he was 4 months old in late April- in Argentiere. Various problems (we took my mum to baby sit- she fell over in the car park on the first day and ended up in plaster), my wife was feeding him herself- so we popped down at lunch time- but we had a great time.
A late season week in Val D'Isere or Chamonix would be easy- If your wife isn't a mad kean skier then staying in Chamonix itself (rather than Argentiere) is fun with plenty to do with a baby (I know- I've done it) but very hard to ski and pop back to the little 'un (Val D' or Argentiere are fine).
Sorry to be a bit negative but skiing a few weeks before the birth of your first child is asking for trouble- possibly- there may be exceptions- e.g. if you are a ski professional yourself.. but your not
So late April- all together??
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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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Thought would be good to follow this up. My trip went well early dec with fab coaching courtesy of TDC/Claire. Enough snow to see most of the area and a bit of World Cup.
Prepped / made myself aware of options for a swift exit, but mostly listened to the guys above recommending flexibility above all.
Result: had a fantastic trip, so glad I went (as won't have a similar opportunity for a bit), and typing this with one hand while holding my 4 day old son.
THANKS 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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ahhhhh congrats on both a good trip and the new arrival.. 
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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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Congratulations - the first few months will be tough but enjoy every moment 'cos it goes fast!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Brilliant, many congratulations. Suggest you get your 2015 ski trip booked asap....
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Congratulations!
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A lovely end to the story - congratulations to you and your wife
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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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FAQ
