 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there, I am thinking of 2007 already. Can anyone recommend a resort in Canada that had excellent chilcare facilities for my 6 year old, 4 year old and 2 year old. Ideally a creche for the youngest and chilcare and 1/2 day ski lessons for the older two? Also if anyone has any experience of package tour companies who can offer all the above to Canada I would love to know.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sunshine (Banff) almost fits the bill http://www.skibanff.com/. I've been there many times, with kids, and can recommend it. (Russell, on the other hand has just done his tibia and ACL there so may feel differently, poor sod.)
There's a creche on the slopes up at Sunshine which takes kids from 18 months, I think. It offers one or two short lessons a day (not compulsory) on its own little slope, with a tow and an instructor from the ski school. The creche itself is good. The ski school takes from 6, IIRC. I'm not sure what the 4 year old would do for lessons; maybe 1/2 day creche then ski with you? At 4, the creche with 2 short lessons was enough for our kids. The school is very good.
We travelled on packages (it's hard to beat them on price, at least at Easter) and booked creche and ski school on line before going. They are very flexible; we generally booked lots then blew out the day before if we decided to spend time with the kids (why would we have done that?).
We first went when the kids were just 5, and then every year until they were 10. We all had a great time, every time. Banff is an excellent place. The skiing is extensive, and includes Lake Louise and Norquay. A car is good wheeze, especially with kids, but there is a ski bus.
If you want to know anything more, just ask (the last time we went was Easter 2004, so I'm not completely up to date).
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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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keith904, I went to Banff for New Year with Neilson who I would recommend. Although I didn't use any of thir childcare facilities they look pretty comprehensive in their brochure.
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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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Whistler have a good set up, and the "Nanny Network" is excellent for extra childcare outside of ski school, normally staffed by off duty ski instructors if your kids want to stay home for any reason or you need baby sitters in the evenings, etc.
The Whistler kids program takes from 3 months.
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/rentals/schoolkids/index.htm
Hope that helps.
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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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Most Canadian resorts have decent kids programmes it seems with the possible exception of smaller non-destination hills. Check the programmes will be running your chosen weeks. You may want to factor it travel times though with little ones. Both Banff and Whistler are reasonable transfer times from major airports but You'll have to bus to the slopes every day from Banff or stay at sunshine or LL which leave a bit less to do in the evening
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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keith904, I'd say if you go for Banff the best bet is a hire car from the airport, and the car to the slopes every day-nothing worse than trying to get little one's out for the bus in the mornings.
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Lake Louise, Lake Louise, Lake Louise! I really can't praise it highly enough for child care, we have been going there almost every year since our eldest was 5 months old, she is now 10. Up to the age of five both our kids spent most of the time in the child care which is right by the base of the hill, has an excellent staff to child ratio, is very reasonably priced, organises ski lessons up to twice a day for those who need it and is extemely well run by Anne!
Outside of the childcare there is a very good kinder/kid ski program taking children for up to 6 hours per day in groups ranging from beginner to the top level (black runs) in both skiing and snowboarding. Again ratios are extremely good, prices reasonable and the standard of teaching and the friendliness of the staff second to none.
In 7 trips to Lake Louise in the past 9 years, we have never had a single day when either of our kids didn't want to go into the child care when they were young, or the kids ski now they're older. When we get there next week  it will be the first time that our daughter will not be spending time in the organised groups as last year she outgrew the top group (in ability rather than age) and we actually have a bit of a challenge because we now have to keep up with her for a whoe 10 days!
We have also hit my first criticism of the organisation at LL, our daughter has been told by her instructors that she now needs to move on to specialist performance and technique groups, but she is not allowed to join them until she is 12! I am only the tiniest bit better than her now and I am certainly not a qualified ski instructor, so I don't want to take on the responsibility for her tuition (teaching her my bad habits). It looks like I might have to fork out on private lessons 
My son is 6 and at level 4/5 out of 6, but he has already declared that he intends to snowboard rather than ski in the future so I will obviously have to disown him 
We have always planned and booked our trips as we get the flights/days we want and also tend to save money, so I don't have any suggestions for packages, but others have responded on that.
Right, that's enough about LL, I'll go back to counting the seconds until I am there again 
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solarfish, have a great time when you've there. I'm sure you'll be going to visit your house as well? I can't remember if you said you already had tenants for it?
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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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solarfish, looks great!!!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I agree!
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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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solarfish, congrats on the house. Is it in LL?
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solarfish, I'd recommend LL except that there's not a huge amount for kids to do in the afternoon/evenings. Our kids (and we) have really enjoyed pottering around Banff, which has a much bigger choice of bars and restaurants (although it doesn't have the LL Station!). LL is great, though, and for the old lady and me on our own, perfect.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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solarfish, I agree with you about LL skiing. The LL Station is one of my favourite bars/restuarants anywhere, not particularly for the food, which is good, more the atmos and the occasional train trundling past and hooting mournfully. When we first went, I think that the railway carriages were available as an extra dining room in the summer, but then it changed to hiring it out to parties. Pity they're closed.
Where do you stay? We stayed in the Chateau LL and the LL Inn; I actually preferred the latter but neither were anything to write home about, although the view up the lake from our room in the Chateau was great. Some friends stayed in the Deer Lodge, which seemed very pleasant and has a good restaurant.
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Poster: A snowHead
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richmond, First two years we stayed at the LL Inn, like you say it is nothing special. Then 5 years at The Post Hotel which is absolutely fantastic but expensive! The food at The Post Hotel is quite simply the best I have eaten and the wine cellar is incredible.
This year we are in Deer Lodge to save a few pennies!
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FAQ
and I just received these two pictures taken at the weekend showing that they have completed the final coat of stucco (coloured render) and started the landscaping.
but it is now closed unfortunately). We always hire a car for the duration of the trip so now that the kids are older and can stay up longer, we often drive from LL to Banff for something to eat or to look round the shops. I prefer getting on the piste early in the morning and having to drive to dinner rather than the other way round 