 Poster: A snowHead
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@snowymum, ...if only they would really sort out the pricing and ticketing to compete. Not skiing but I had an excellent experience with the Eurostar to Amsterdam - Cambridge is well-placed due to direct trains to St Pancras - but leaving home, cambridge to kings cross walk 5 mins to st pancras - eurostar to central station Amsterdam was quicker than flying. Yes the connections all worked seamlessly but I was surprised. However Cambridge to Sierre in the Valias - that's another story and requires far better ticketting and timetabling.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| snowymum wrote: |
| @snowdave, There are many drawbacks of flying to a ski hol not least the fact that at half term you would still get stuck in any traffic in the Tarentaise. Taking the train avoids all that as I think you can get off the train at Aime at the foot of the mountain. |
Agree there are pros and cons, but appropriately timed flights can mitigate traffic - just as appropriately timed driving can. I presented another driving option that could help mitigate (since the OP was focussed on driving), but in the end, I'd still fly for HT; Friday evening out/Sunday evening back avoids all the traffic, gives 9 days skiing, and a proper sleep every night.
In contrast at Easter I nearly always drive, as the traffic is typically very easy and predictable.
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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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and smell of a fresh hotel pillowcase
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wrapped round a horrid foam hotel pillow... I generally take my own. Left a really nice one in a hotel last time I did an overnight stop, with daughter and family.
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a fairly leisurely trip
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 This thread is about a half term trip, with kids, and a wife who works in a school. Leisurely is not a menu option.
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@Origen,
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you can't be sure in advance what WILL work - make a good plan, but be ready to change it
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I inferred that this was general advice. I guess that we also had school holidays to contend with, not to mention my father's extremely anti-social working pattern. That said, there was no question of skiing at half-term (or indeed at all).
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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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@Origen, ...def thinking of both safe driving and max skiing. We did the Feb half term until last year - so nearly 20 years - and we have always done
late friday dash to ferry - meal on boat
hotel one/two hours into France zzzz for 7 hours
up early no breakfast at hotel
breakfast at Paul's at Aire D'Urvillers
arrive CH afternoon Sat zzzz for 7 hours
fresh for skiing first thing Sun
So skiing Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat - 7 days not bad. Most you lose is an hour or two on sat pm.
then either whole day back Sunday (not preferred) or leave late Sat, hotel somewhere in France, ferry Sun (preferred).
This gave us no traffic issues - other than the occasional delay CH border but solved by driving through sideroads to the crossing.
Admittedly we do not have to go to hire shops to sort gear, which I know adds a complication.
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@valais2, yep, not having to faff with hire shops and also easy collection of lift passes can make a huge difference. ALthough lift pass collection is easier now as can be sorted online and just collected from a machine often
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When our kids were in school (left 2025) the school always had a in service day on the Monday following HT, so it took the pressure off & we could even fly home on the Monday saving a fortune.
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| Origen wrote: |
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and smell of a fresh hotel pillowcase
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wrapped round a horrid foam hotel pillow... I generally take my own. Left a really nice one in a hotel last time I did an overnight stop, with daughter and family.
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a fairly leisurely trip
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This thread is about a half term trip, with kids, and a wife who works in a school. Leisurely is not a menu option. |
I'd kind of disagree, It can be leisurely, but probably takes a lot more planning than I'd like these days. As for those foam pillows, can't say I've had one of those.
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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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The OP was quite specific in their request:
"I’d appreciate advice on night driving, decent stops, coffee breaks just advice on the best way to go about it"
I am sure they are aware there are other choices to night driving, that it's not for everyone, etc.
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@Layne, and my advice would be don't.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@snowdave, I had a glance at flights when EasyJet released the schedule they were coming out at near £3k for four before luggage for flights that suit school and work commitments factor in the very expensive transfer costs and likelihood of heading into the same traffic I would whilst driving, the sums don't add up for flying at half term. Perhaps I'd choose differently outside of February half term.
I also like driving and can take home a few bottles of your new favourite French wine of even a couple of bottles of Champagne and French treats. Generally speaking I don't enjoy the flying experience crammed into a tin can with barely enough shoulder room and knees jammed up against the seats in front so if I can drive I will always favour that option personally.
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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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| Layne wrote: |
The OP was quite specific in their request:
"I’d appreciate advice on night driving, decent stops, coffee breaks just advice on the best way to go about it"
I am sure they are aware there are other choices to night driving, that it's not for everyone, etc. |
As we are on page 2, can I now suggest a plane ticket to Canada?
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All these things are really personal choices, aren't they? But no harm at all in chucking in ideas not directly related to the original query - we're all here to enjoy the interaction, not act as disciplined but unpaid holiday-planning consultants!
You must go to a better class of hotel than I, @Hells Bells, if you find nice pillows! I do always take one when I travel anywhere by car and was thankful that the hotel I left mine in last Christmas was the overnight stop on the way back, as I'd been able to substitute mine for the ones in the rented place. Which had lovely bed linen and towels but the usual foam pillows. I have a very small feather travel pillow and have even been known to take that in my carry on bag on a flight, feeling like the Princess and the Pea. 
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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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a little one for between my knees
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my son does that too! He has rather bandy legs.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Boris, @Origen, ….knee pillows!….you lot are just weird…what on earth do you do when you go to a Cabane? Eh here come ze Eeenglish wiz zer funny pillows in their packs…
But actually I know entirely what you mean. I wake up mid sleep with that strange half asleep obsessive fixation on something … and it’s usually because the pillow IS JUST NOT RIGHT
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Look on the bright side, at least you don't often (ime) find bolsters in French beds any more.
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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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@KSH, grief you’re right…they were most odd …
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I couldn't sleep with a feather pillow. Both hubby and I are allergic.
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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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@Hells Bells, me too
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think we are suffering from severe thread-drift...
now...
OP....
what's your take on feather pillows? And should knee-pillows be foam or feather?
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How about taking Friday off, spend it in bed, get up after lunch and be refrshed for the whole drive.
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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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@blahblahblah, would depend on amount of A/L and of course whether school(s) believe the kids were both ill
But yes I'd suggest a Friday drive down too
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@valais2, Feather pillows are not for me, there's always a few sharp bits through the material. Unnatural fibres all the way for me!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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whether school(s) believe the kids were both ill
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And whether you're prepared to teach your kids that telling lies is OK. 
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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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@Origen, maybe an honest discussion with kids that sometimes a little white lie is necessary to avoid potential implications? I'm sure most of us have lied at some point to avoid something or someone. Life, IMO, isn't as black and white as lies all bad, truth good.
Yes granted we should just tell the school - Jonny won't be into on Friday as we're going skiing, please send any work he needs to complete, as parents we have decided that the benefits of a ski trip outweigh what little work he's likely to do on the last day.
Thankfully when we used to go on Friday's it was still possible to do so based on school's decision
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maybe an honest discussion with kids that sometimes a little white lie is necessary to avoid potential implications?
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Of course "white lies" are necessary. If you really don't want to go to an office party, having a sudden bilious attack is OK. But telling school (and your mates) that you're ill when you're actually going on a ski holiday is not a white lie.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Origen, we will differ on the rights and wrongs of it - given the issues with getting permission from school and potential implications, I can understand parents taking this course of action.
Of course it would be easier if we returned to a system of school discretion based on overall attendance, performance etc which was fare and balanced.
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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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we will differ on the rights and wrongs of it
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Yep! My problem is not the result of a mindless regard for sticking to the truth - just the business of teaching kids that it's OK and drilling them to keep up the pretence even when they return with a goggle tan. That's the "wrong" bit to me, not taking kids out of school. I was taken out of school for holidays regularly, including missing school exams in form 4. I promised the Head (who had authorised the absence) that I'd do the revision anyway. And I did do a little bit. I have no problem with kids missing school - we took them out to ski - so much of what they do is a waste of time (the anxiety being provoked in my grand-daughter, doing GCSE shortly, consistently one of the top performers in her cohort in a good quality comp makes me absolutely mad).
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Fri 24-04-26 15:00; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Boris wrote: |
Of course it would be easier if we returned to a system of school discretion based on overall attendance, performance etc which was fare and balanced. |
Agree 100%, it is a ridicules policy & one I am glad our school did not adhere to.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I think telling the school about a fake illness for one day is a white lie, a week would be a proper lie.
After watching the civil service bend English this week I think there is an argument for teaching children how to lie.
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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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@blahblahblah, It's called a Politics Degree.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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People seem to be advocating for bad parenting and unchecked truancy.
My wife was a School Governor when the new policy/law was brought in. It was a nightmare for schools and teachers. Parents would just randomly take their kids out, sometimes for several weeks. Some didn't give a toss for the consequences/difficulties caused.
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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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Back to random personal insults, @Jonny996? Can you do no better? @blahblahblah, put your arguments on the relevant thread - the more arguments the better, and if you think civil servants are lying, it's an important issue to pursue.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Layne, has the new rule made much difference? Parents who don't give a toss, generally don't give a toss full-stop. While I'm sure the threat (or actual) fines deterred some people, seen enough stories along lines of "cheaper to pay fine than full price holiday" that it obviously doesn't deter all.
Although now no longer relevant for me, the rules in Northants around fines still meant you could take 10-days out before a fine was even considered!
If the new rules are doing a better job than the old ones then great.
And I still wouldn't drive overnight
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Goodness this thread has morphed a lot - from 'Q = what's the best way to drive all night (A = don't)' through routes to pillows to parental and filial mendacity. Gosh.
Any one would think that getting as much skiing in was important.
Oh sh--t, I'd forgotten - it is ...
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Getting into an argument about how to bring up other people's children? I think not. That way madness lies.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
| Back to random personal insults, @Jonny996? Can you do no better? @blahblahblah, put your arguments on the relevant thread - the more arguments the better, and if you think civil servants are lying, it's an important issue to pursue. |
What on earth are you talking about, it was a joke. You know the old saying of never believe a politician.
I will accept your apology when ever you like.
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@valais2, should we mention winter tyres ……
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