 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello, I was wondering if anyone had done a ski season with youngish children? I am wondering if we should follow a dream and head to the Alps from January to April 2020 with 6 year old twins and if anyone had done this and where? Is it possible to put them in a local (French) school for 3 months, or best to home school (aggghhh) or private. I realise some mountain towns have primary schools but just looking for advice or if anyone else has done this. We expect to either work remotely for our UK companies or take a sabbatical. Of course schooling is only the first (but biggest) question as would have to arrange accommodation too!
TIA 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Friends of mine did similar but they home schooled for the duration they were there.
They had 3 children oldest at the time was 10/11.
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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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I had a friend who did it but was for longer 6 months/a year. Kids went into the local village school. I think you'd be best to work out what town/village you want and then determine if you can get the kids into the school first.
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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’d probably get into school but might not be super fun/ easy for you and the children. Home school and get a tutor?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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What could school teach them that could not be learned on the slopes/ in the mountains? 
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French
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@pam w, 
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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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@pam w, predictable, but wrong. Immersion ski school. Peers etc etc
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Peers will mostly be in school. And if my experience with that age group is anything to go by, it won't be easy to find them, or to persuade them to play with kids they can't communicate with, without the structure of school. I never heard of an "immersion ski school?" Sounds intriguing but expensive.....
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I realise it won't be easy for all, but am considering if it is worth all the effort, to have 3 months in the mountains and the children will have the opportunity to learn French and have some mountain fun. Therefore I am not stuck on a location yet as would like to hear about other peoples experiences or recommendations, as I realise some places may work better.
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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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Not worth the effort for such a short period.
Rent a private tutor.
PS. You might wanna change your username. Not really wise to put (what looks like) your full name and semi-private email address on a public forum.
Good luck with the season.
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Yes, still waiting for admin to do it 
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You know it makes sense.
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Actually, I think 6 year old kids would learn a useful amount of French if they were in school. You might need to look carefully at their getting places back here, if their school is over-subscribed.
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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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Entirely worth the effort and surprisingly easy. We did this when my son was 10 (he is 21 now!) - he went to the local secondary school in Passy for 3 months. If I had my time over, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Not a single regret. The family who went out at the same time had a six year old (who went to the local primary). He's racing full time now.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We did this when my son was 10 (he is 21 now!)
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 Was it really that long ago, @Annie?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@pam w, indeed!
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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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We had an enjoyable day skiing in Les Contamines with @Annie - their St Gervais adventure was a great example of the virtues of just getting out there and doing it!
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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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Annie, where did you go and how did you choose a town/village? I have been to many of the larger French resorts but only for a week and didn't look if there were local primary schools and it isn't as easy as here to find where schools are!
Obviously, there is a lot to consider especially if their UK school space can be held open - that may be a deciding factor.... but I want to be sure that is what we are doing before I ask!
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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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Our kids learned French in less than 3 months when we moved here. You would do better, I think to start in September, if you are committed to a French public school. Otherwise just hire an English speaker as a tutor. Can you borrow the books and course outline? That would be a big help.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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We did similar, but in Canada for 18 months.
Be careful.
We are now emigrating 
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@pam w, I know. Seems like both yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time. We did indeed have a lovely day!
@alisonclayfield@hotmail.c, We stayed in St Gervais, having ended up there the previous half term by accident and finding it ticked all the boxes of nice town, easy drive to and from GVA and into the valley, skiing we liked and the option of Chamonix down the road and just a feeling of being 'at home'. We were very lucky with a great apartment, cracking snow and brilliant weather pretty much all season. Both the schools were fab and went way beyond the call in making the children welcome and supporting language acquisition ....and giving them an extra day to ski. They children also tagged along on the twice weekly ski sessions organised by the local youth club equivalent. One can never say never, but I think you're unlikely to regret it if you decide to do it.....I would!!
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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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@alisonclayfield@hotmail.c, friends with a family that went to live with two children near Samöens, kids started french school as English speaking and it seems a very good location for a family in this situation.
Convenient for travel etc, village school, ski area of Grand Massif plus PDS, via Les Gets/Morzine.
Pm me if you wanted more specific information as I could put you in touch if they are ok to advise.
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@ski3, lots of international families with weekend places in Samöens. Have friends who were stationed in Geneva but spent their weekends in Samöens, winter and summer.
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