 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi there everyone. I'm a new member to SnowHeads.
I have been boarding now for ages and recently i've taken sking lessons(with my wife) @ my local snodome to enable me to reach recreational standard. (in my case v poor).
I plan to take a sking holiday next year around the middle of march with my wife and child (who will be 23months) when we go.
I usuallly travel with my mates independantly but now i've been navigated towards ski companys like Crystal, Inghams etc for a convieniant package.
But this is where the problem exists. In the broucher all resorts offering child care are either in places i've been before and never intend going back to or obscure placres like Norway, Sweden and Slovakia.
Secondly, the prices are ridiculously expensive when i add on ski/boot hire for my wife, under occupancy fees for self catering rooms and then childcare.
I want to take the family to Val d'Isere for their first snow experience but the resort doesn't offer childcare for under 3 year olds. I have been there many times and personally i can't fault the place. It has for me; everything you want from a ski resort.
I'm looking for a resort that has a town, leasure facilities, childcare for kids under 3 and is snow sure for the middle of march as i'm planning only to ski in the morning then enjoy the rest of the day doing family activities.
Than you in advance for your replies.
Kev.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Serre chevalier has creches/ Morzine/endaz Switzerland/ Oz en Oisans. Can't vouch for any. How about someone like ski esprit or otherr similar operator not sure that I'd view Val d'sere as family friendly
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
kev360, echoing what dan100 says about creches in Serre Chevalier, I have had brilliant reports about the creche in Monetier-les-Bains from my guests, as long as you go outside French holidays, you will be fine with a 23 month old. New thermal baths opening soon in the village. Sledging area at the bottom of the lifts, and a 10 minute drive to Briancon with all the facilities of a town. And it's very family friendly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Thanks for the quick replies dan100 and Helen. I'll have a look @ serre chevalier.
I was thinking more of a 'town' within the resort, but i'll look @ travelling to a near-by town as another option.
kev.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
kev360, I'm surprised that Val D'Isere doesn't offer childcare facilities for under 3s but I guess you've checked with the Tourist Office. In our village, La Rosiere, which is about 35 minutes from Val d'Isere there are 2 creches/nurseries which take infants from 18mths, lots of our guests have used Les Galopins very happily. If you go to www.larosiere.net you can click through to ski schools where you'll find lots of information. Childcare facilities are very strictly monitored in France so we're very happy to recommend using them, they're also a lot less expensive than Ski Espirit or Mark Warner. Incidentally La Rosiere is Ski Espirit's most popular resort destination.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Welcome to family life..my advice is get the skiing in now, you should see how expensive it gets when they go to school and you can only ski in the school holidays...
On a practical note..the companies that do it all..esprit/skibeat/leski/familyfreiendly sking/crystal/mark warner..do charge more but they make the holiday a whole lot easier..
As for where to go other than the above.. Courchevel 1650, Ste Foy, les Gets (skifamille gets good reviews)...
There are a few Kinderholels here http://www.babygoes2.com/g_ski.asp
..not tried them but I'm trying to get away from france this year..and you'll find that the uk child operators favour the french alps..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kev360, if you want to avoid under-occupancy charges, look at firms like Erna Low, where you just rent an apartment, regardless of how many people are in it. Or look at the websites of specific resorts; they all have plenty of apartments to rent. Have you thought of using a catered chalet? It can be more congenial in the evenings than being stuck in an apartment because you have a sleeping toddler. Most resorts should be good for snow in mid March. The second week in March, which is the first week after the French holidays end, is probably the best bet. It depends what "family activities" you want, obviously, but you might find that getting round with a 2 year old means that a smaller place has a lot to commend it. You also, ideally, want somewhere where the 2 year old can just potter safely in the snow outside the accommodation - rather than somewhere with a busy street just outside. When you are only skiing for a few hours in the morning, and can't go far afield in the time available, you might be frustrated at not being able to do justice to a big ski area like Val D'Isere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Look at Samoens - one the same circuit as Flaine. We had our 12month-old there at easter in the creche in the village and it was excellent - it's a full-time all-year round nursery which isn't that common in ski resorts. Plenty of apartments available in the town and only an hour's transfer from Geneva.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
kev360, you could consider Obertauern as well. My wife checked out the creche that's attached to the tourist office while we were there and she said it looked good - lots of playing with the kid out in the snow rather than just stuck inside. I think a couple of the ski schools also offer a (non-skiing) service for younger kids. Ok, it's not exactly a big town, but skiing is on the doorstep so you wouldn't waste any time getting up high and the hotels all seem to be a good standard and it's only 1hr from Innsbruck edit - that should be Salzburg - .
Mayrhofen may also do it for you - do a google for Wuppy's kinderland.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to everyone for their replies.
I really can't decide what country to goto.
Has anyone done the family thing in Switzerland or Austria?
I've been to Mayerhofen and i would definitely not take the mrs there. 
I don't think it is really a beginners place and you can't ski back down to the village without a parachute.
I was looking @ Crans Montana but their season ends 3/4 weeks before everyone else.
Davos, St Moritz & Klosters seem relatively nice.
Any thoughts?
Kev
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Not been to crans. I beleive its south facing but it does ahve skiing up to 3000 metres and would have thought mid march it would be fine. Some resorts close after easter because its not economic. Some ohter valais resorts such as grimentz also close straight after easter. I wouldn't read in to that its not snow sure
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| kev360 wrote: |
Thanks to everyone for their replies.
I really can't decide what country to goto.
Has anyone done the family thing in Switzerland or Austria?
I've been to Mayerhofen and i would definitely not take the mrs there.
I don't think it is really a beginners place and you can't ski back down to the village without a parachute.
I was looking @ Crans Montana but their season ends 3/4 weeks before everyone else.
Davos, St Moritz & Klosters seem relatively nice.
Any thoughts?
Kev |
I've been to Galtur with the family. It's a very popular resort for families. The advantages are that its high and its set up for families. The hotels at the base of the slopes are well geared up for feeding lots of families at lunch time. Swimming pool and the Alpinarium museum means its not so bad if you fancy a couple of days off from skiing.
The childcare starts at 2 years old there though, so maybe a little white lie about DOB needed. It's quite a small resort (40km of pistes makes it about the same size as Glenshee), however that means its pretty easy to keep track of kids. Nursery area is brilliant and well away from the main skiing traffic and my 2 1/3 year old daughter loved her first experience on skis. Most of the accommodation is in Galtur village, while the slopes are above a small hamlet called Wirl. The buses are pretty regular and we didn't have any problems with our daughter or our 8 month old son. Our daughter loved traveling on the buses.
I considered Obergurgl and Obertauern as well, since they are also high making it easier for lunch meet ups. But I wasn't convinced there was enough non skiing activities to keep the family amused for the week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kev360, beginners can't generally ski back down to Val D'Isere, either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
The skiing at Crans-Montana does go high but there is not a lot up there, most of the skiing is lower. As others have said it is south-facing so in a bad snow year things can be pretty ropy by mid-March. Can't tell you anything about the local childcare, sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
Telling little white lies about dates of birth can cause problems, insurance may be invalid if your child has an accident. Also, you used to have to provide a vaccination certificate from your GP if you took a child under 4 to a French creche (not sure if this still applies or indeed if it applies to Austria or Switzerland), the letter from your GP will state the child's date of birth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
kev360, I have 3 kids - twin boys now aged 7 and girl aged 5. We have been skiing with them for the last 5 years (daughter was 2 months old for first trip)
We used Ski Beat intially who offer catered chalets and creche facilities. From our point of view this meant we could ski during the day and didn't have to worry too much about anything. Haven't used them for a while but was very impressed with them and their chalets - sure fellow SHs will confirm/deny whether still ok.
When they were 4 and 2 we switched to booking self-catering accom and used a local nanny service as this cut the cost down and gave us more flexibility. A google search and SH advice will provide you details of resorts with nannies.
For the last few years we used the Nursery in Vallandry (les arcs) for the youngest - this is French run but has English speaking staff. Again very impressed with them. I really like Vallandry as is a quiet, family orientated resort and has access to all Les Arcs and La Plangne when they fix the cable car.
Hope this helps
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
kev360, first time out, I'd recommend using a specialist family operator. We had our first family ski trip this year (5 and 4 year olds) with Esprit to La Rosiere and it was about as hassle free as you could hope for. In fact, it was propably the easiest week of any description we've experienced since having children! You can't beat not having to do any shopping or cooking and the children were collected from and delivered to the basement of our chalet at the extremes of each day. 
Not cheap, though, but with kids, you are far more constrained with respect to accommodation choices and flight times etc, so the scope for cheaper options elsewhere is more limited than you might first think. First time out, we wanted to eliminate as many risks / uncertainties as we could, and viewed any extra cost as an insurance policy against the risks of buying something that "looked good on the internet and was cheap" which turned out to have a few hidden "issues". (e.g. - not relevant to you, but just an example - My five year old was really worried that the kids club would be in French, having had a bad experience on a French campsite the previous summer, and we all know that "English speaking" can be interpreted optimistically in places! Knowing that it would all be in proper English was one less thing to worry about.) Even a cheap skiing holiday is expensive, and if it's you're only one planned for the year - as it was with us - then the downside of it going wrong is high (e.g. kids hate skiing and you have a stressful week.  )
We're Espriting again next year - Courchevel - but after that, my natural Scrooge-like tendencies will come to the fore, and we'll do something independent, but with the benefit of two hols under of belts for experience in planning and interpreting the marketing hype.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
We have done two trips with Esprit and as The Flying Snowplough, says it's about as hassle free as travelling with kids gets. I think compared with some other specialist TOs they are pretty reasonable but as the kids get older, SC on an independent basis will potentially offer a considerable saving.
Here's a question? Are there any Esprit type specialist operations in the USA? I ask as the euro and dollar rates may mean this is not as prohibitive as it may seem. Our two managed a Trans At flight in the summer with no major problems so there maybe some mileage in it. At 2 and 5 though I would want full confidence in all the arrangements, ie a full package (flights, transfers, childcare, ski school) with some recommendations before travelling so far and spending so much moola.
Let me know if you have any experiences/ recommendations.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Someone, somewhere, mentioned grandparents. Heaps cheaper on the child care, and they can help with the cooking too! One of the reasons so many French families with modest incomes manage their annual ski holiday is because they seem routinely to have three-generation holidays. It's a great way to share a holiday with all ages.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
pam w, we have had guests at our apartment who had the grandparents staying nearby. I've watched several generations unloading everything but the kitchen sink from a Grand Espace into a supermarket trolley and carting all the cooking equipment into a tiny apartment. Fondue set, raclette grill, knives, pans etc etc. Not to mention all the towels and bed linen. I always found Esprit to be much to expensive, and most of their chalets would not allow our children to eat with us in the evening until they were 14. What is it with the British and not wanting to spend time with their children on holiday? . Never quite understood it, the only time we spent without them was during ski school.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
grandparents staying nearby.
|
That's a good idea. We have had our kids/grandchild (and other people from time to time) staying in another apartment within our complex. The owners of that apartment need school holiday time, and we've preferred low season weeks, so we've just swapped apartments, with no cash changing hands. It's worked extremely well - gives everybody a bit more privacy and peace and quiet. It's very pleasant to have a drink together after skiing, then the other lot to go up to their apartment for showers etc. we've taken it in turn to cook so we've been "out to dinner" half the time. When they come down to us we've had our apartment to ourselves to shower, cook (whilst listening to my favourite music), get it all looking nice, have a quiet drink, and then welcome guests. It's very civilised. For grandparents, that hectic "bath the kids and get them to bed" hour is a really good one to sit out with a gin and tonic.
We loved our holidays with our kids, though we never went when they were very young (couldn't afford it). The youngest was 4 on our first holiday - a two-weeker, self catering in Austria. And yes, we took grandma, who had a ball, and we shared all the work. I helped look after our grand-daughter when they visited us when she was 2. I did a lot of snowmen, sledging, just pottering around in the snow, etc, and I'm dying to take her skiing. But I'll not feel too cheated if I miss that bed-time hour!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Helen Beaumont wrote: |
| pam w, we have had guests at our apartment who had the grandparents staying nearby. I've watched several generations unloading everything but the kitchen sink from a Grand Espace into a supermarket trolley and carting all the cooking equipment into a tiny apartment. Fondue set, raclette grill, knives, pans etc etc. Not to mention all the towels and bed linen. I always found Esprit to be much to expensive, and most of their chalets would not allow our children to eat with us in the evening until they were 14. What is it with the British and not wanting to spend time with their children on holiday? . Never quite understood it, the only time we spent without them was during ski school. |
Younger kids e.g. under 7 or 8 need around 11 hours sleep each night to function properly. (Obviously, some can manage on less, but most need something like this amount of sleep.) So, if the kids need to be assembled at 8:30am(ish) for their ski lessons, they need to be up around 7am / 7:30am in order to eat breakfast and get kitted out etc. So, in order to arrive at 7am with enough sleep, they need to be asleep by 8pm, which means fed, bathed, storied, settled and in bed between 7:30pm and 8pm. One can, of course, keep your kids up late and take the consequences - grumpy, fractious kids who are no fun to be with and don't enjoy their skiing, but an early bed seems the best option. (The same argument applies at school, as it happens - one of the main causes of bad behaviour from younger school kids is that they don't get enought sleep.)
If you book the whole chalet through Esprit, it would be reasonable to ask for your kids to eat with you if want to. If you are merely one of three or four families in the chalet, it seems reasonable to have the normal rule being consistent with kids going to bed at the right time. I don't like eating with my own children misbebehaving; I certainly don't want to shell out £4k on a holiday to spend it with other folks' overly tired children in the evening.
My attitude is driven strongly by the fact that the Elder Little Snowplough is hell on earth if she doesn't get enough sleep; if you're blessed with kids that need less sleep or who are OK if they don't get enough then I'm sure you'd have a different view. I'm hoping that as my kids mature from small children to resposnsible, sensible pre-teens, they'll be able to function properly if they don't get enough sleep so they can stay up late without turning things into a riot.
On summer hols, where the kids can sleep in until lunchtime if they want to, we all eat together and go to bed around 9pm.
Time to put my soap-box away. I'm fully well aware I'm a grumpy so and so. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Esprit Ski. Perfect. We used them when our kids were young, My Sister will now not ski with any other co. until her kids are old enough to not require the 'kid care' package.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
Esprit Ski. Perfect.
|
You don't want to here some of the reports of Esprit on mumsnet then....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| RobW wrote: |
| Quote: |
Esprit Ski. Perfect.
|
You don't want to here some of the reports of Esprit on mumsnet then.... |
I'm sure that there are 'cock-up' stories re. most 'childcare' ski companies. Esprit haven't messed it up for us yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Hi
Having been on 5 ski esprit holidays I can honestly say I think they are hassle free. However there are other alternatives: Premier neige (sainte foy) ski beat, snowbizz (puy st vincent) etc. and having been with other childcare companies they all offer similar service.
Personally we have starte to favour premier neige self catering and use of their creche/ ski lessons over and above ski esprit as this is what suits us best right now, but as a first hols with kids you could certainly do alot worse than going the ski esprit route.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
We went to Les Gets this year and the nursery in the centre of the village was fantastic (Les Fripoulles - or similar). My smallest boy was 2 1/2 when we went and he was fine - he went mornings 9-12am. Ski school for my 5 year old was OK too - if a little croweded (we went at Easter). Snow was fantastic and the village on the quiet side but everything you need as a family. Great resort - we will be going back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kev360 - just seen your origonal post, and it mentions going to Val D'Isere, if you still fancy that then there is an english lady who does the season over there and provides nannies. We used her last year for our then 9 month old and she supplied an all day nanny and evening babysitter who were both great. The ladys name in Tina Eliades and she trades as Valtina 0033479069540 003367969595 tina@eliades-uk.com www.eliades-uk.com. Hope this helps, and if you have not been to Val D'Isere before then I can heartily recommend it as a resort (if a bit pricey for accomadation).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
I notice someone mentioned Ski Beat higher up the thread, we (four couples) took our 4no 9 month olds to La Plagne last year with Ski Beat and put them in the creche each day. It all worked fine and the childcare package was good value and included babysitting on the night we ate out. The chalet rooms could have been better, and no food was provided for the babies, also Ski Beat sold the last room to a childless couple without warning them of the quartet of babies in residence! Finally we needed a ton of equipment for that many babies so whilst the others flew we drove down with a pick up truck literally full of food, milk, skis, nappies and gin. Harder work than the following week in Val (see above) but a damn site cheaper than a private nanny for 1 baby (though private nannies work out ok if you have 2 or more kids).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
We used Snowbizz - Puy St Vincent - this year. They have nice self catering appts and the childcare was very good. The staff were available for evening babysitting so we were able to have a couple of evening meals out. Their prices are very reasonable if you can avoid school hols. The only drawback is that they only go to one resort so you might only end up going with them once.
We did a chalet holiday when our first child was 1 with Simply Ski and it was a lot more stressful...he wouldn't eat the food and the meals never came at the right time, the walls were paper thin so we worried if he woke at night. However, I'm sure Ski Esprit would be much better. Have read lots of good reviews of Ski Esprit..the reason we haven't tried them is that they don't offer rail travel as an option and we like to take the Eurostar direct service. Their prices are also v.expensive in the school hols.
Our children are now older (6 and 3) and we are tied to School hols so we have found out that it is much cheaper to book independently..have booked a luxury appt through Ski Collection, and train tickets from Eurostar and are planning to use the French resort creche.. have started a thread about this..
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
All. Thank you for the very informitive postings.
Have managed to rent a 2 bed apartment in Val Centre.
And even better 1 of the grannies is coming to look after our bundle of joy.
Again thanks very much.
Kev360. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
The Flying Snowplough, if Esprit don't ask to use your posts in their brochure can I doctor it and use it in mine!? I haven't found a good way of clearly explaining the whole seperate mealtime rationale but you've got it nailed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
midgetbiker,
| Quote: |
if granny wants an evening out
|
Snowheads is not that sort of website you know.....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
