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Family ski holidays that aren't.........

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Lizzard wrote:

It has been my (extensive) experience that when people specify 'child friendly', what they want is to be able to let their offspring rampage around the hotel causing whatever mayhem they please while they themselves lurk in the bar and refuse to take anyresponsibility for the resulting damage, inconvenience etc. And they get very shirty when you suggest that possibly they might take some steps to prevent their little darlings making a racket, invading the kitchen and/or staff areas, running around the restaurant during service ..... etc etc.


Yep, thats exactly why we don't have any family or interconnecting or rooms with 4 beds in our hotels Toofy Grin
But once again the majority spoiling it for the minority wink
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
T Bar wrote:
thefatcontroller, Personally I think he was trying to provoke rather than patronise, but still don't see where the term time holidays come in.


He was being a smug patronising lady's front bottom
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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?
Boredsurfing,

Have you got majority and minority the wrong way round, or was the wink there for areason wink
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
kevin mcclean,

You clearly have NOT seen what the non-"family friendly" trips mean....
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I too think he was trying to provoke - as he has in the other threads started recently.
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 You'll need to Register first of course.
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Boredsurfing wrote:
Yep, thats exactly why we don't have any family or interconnecting or rooms with 4 beds in our hotels Toofy Grin

And that's exactly why you won't find my custom coming your way. Sneering at and deliberately turning away potential customers is certainly a brave marketing strategy in the midst of a recession.

I sympathise with the OP's sentiments, if not his tone: we once took our kids on an Esprit holiday and never repeated the experience even though the staff were fantastic. I just couldn't get my head around the concept of someone else eating dinner with my kids while I propped up the bar taking pre-dinner drinks at the other end of the hotel; I'd have been much happier to have been with them so they could tell me about their day. And it felt somehow unwholesome for a nanny to take the kids to ski-school when we would all have preferred to walk there together as a family.

I draw the line at ski-school, though. Safely teaching children to ski is a skilled occupation that needs a trained specialist. But as soon as our kids were strong enough skiers, we cut back the ski-school hours so that we could have time together as a family.

It seems to me that it's a very expensive mistake to start a family unless you actually plan to spend some time in your childrens' company.


Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Fri 30-10-09 1:25; edited 1 time in total
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
[quote="Jonny Jones"]
Lizzard wrote:
Yep, thats exactly why we don't have any family or interconnecting or rooms with 4 beds in our hotels Toofy Grin


No she didn't.

That was Boredsurfing
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
alex_heney, bad editing Embarassed . Corrected.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
We, and many of our friends, actively seek out holidays that don't accept children. Thompson have a wide selection now and I see the choice growing.

Rather than brave, catering for DINKies is rather shrewd business.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Jonny Jones, If all children were as well behaved as yours and with responsible parents all would be fine BUT experience has shown you and your children are in the minority these days. Sad
I could list endless issues with family's and out of control children but what would be the point. You will have noticed that there are now hotels specialising in Family rooms and boasting of being family friendly, thus defining a new niche market whilst the majority of hotels get on very well selling the traditional doubles and singles even in a recession. Premier Travel Inns who have been heavily marketing their family sized rooms are having their worst year to date. Family travel is one of the first cutbacks in the domestic budget during a reccession. Warners are building a chain of leisure hotels with a no children rule.

and yes I do find it annoying when I can't book a family room for us!
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
bar shaker, although I'm not really a 'child' person and I always travel during school term-times, I do find that the sort of children/families in ski resorts tend to be those with above average incomes which usually results in friendly, well-behaved and polite children. The sort of feral scallies responsible for much of the crime in the UK are thankfully unlikely to be skiers.

Personally, I would never choose to ski during peak 'family' times and to overtly family resorts, but that's just to avoid the busy aspect, not the children. Although childless, I'm a doting auntie to my nephews and nieces. Not every DINKY or single person wants to avoid the younger generations entirely.
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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.
pam w wrote:
I too think he was trying to provoke - as he has in the other threads started recently.


Thats what I thought, but the thread shows he was serious Puzzled
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
kevin mcclean has always posted provoking or controversial posts - its what he's known for!

Looks like he hit a few nerves with this one Toofy Grin
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
...provoke discussion with interesting topics. I always find Kevin Mclean a breath of fresh air when he pops in.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
cathy, Surprising also the number of saints that jumped up and agreed with his opinion though rolling eyes
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
thefatcontroller, we all have an opinion, it is just a topic for discussion or would you rather chat endlessley about snow tyres and driving to the Alps. Good to see you first post on this matter was true to form wink Laughing
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Frosty the Snowman, Hey if I think someone is a lady's front bottom I'm more than happy to tell them. wink Laughing I like the endless driving to the Alps threads as they seem to annoy boresurfin so much. Laughing
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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?
thefatcontroller, How about a driving to the EoSB thread with the kids? That should fire the old dog up Laughing
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 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
thefatcontroller, There were none.

If they are trying to impose their opinions of what is "right" on others, then they are not "saints".
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Frosty the Snowman, Kids aren't allowed to E0Sb's ..........
If they were we could leave them in the appartment all day and night whilst we drink and ski Toofy Grin


Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Fri 30-10-09 8:57; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
Frosty the Snowman, Laughing Laughing

alex_heney, Yawn rolling eyes
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Boredsurfing wrote:
Frosty the Snowman, Kids aren't allowed to E0Sb's ..........


Having heard some of the stories and seen the photos I beg to differ wink Laughing
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
This thread is one of the annual ones...
Same question, same tone, same answers and reactions...
Probably quite a few of the same protagonists as well I'd imagne.. Toofy Grin
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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.
A bloke I work with is obsessed with Florida and Walt Disney World and visits a forum called DIBB. They can every thread that is written on "taking the kids out of school" as it kicks off every time. Stuff involving kids always produces high passion and opinion.

Anyone wanna see some puppies? Toofy Grin
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I think the OP just comes across as an arrogant pillock in his post.

His post was little more than an entire generalisation and is based on no (stated) fact and no evidence and seems to be nothing more than his mere over-inflated opinion of "the 30 and 40 something" parents. It's rather like reading gutter journalism.

In my experience he was actually was way off the mark of the reality of most peoples (including mine) experiences who use such apparently shocking outrageous family friendly companies.

If he's not already, the OP should probably consider becoming a politician or local councillor, as he clearly likes to provide everyone with the benefit of his (obvisouly always right) opinions and values.

I rather wonder what other sweeping generalisations he has ??? He's done the 30-40 something parents. Maybe we can hear his opinions on teenagers, or perhaps his views on working women next ?


Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Fri 30-10-09 9:09; edited 1 time in total
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Frosty the Snowman wrote:
Anyone wanna see some puppies? Toofy Grin


Katherines Toofy Grin Yes Please.
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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.
thefatcontroller, you just brightened my morning Madeye-Smiley
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:

Not every DINKY or single person wants to avoid the younger generations entirely.

well said, queen bodecia. Watching the wee skiers is one of the great pleasures of a ski resort. Out of control kids - or yobbish adults - are a bore anywhere. But my idea of absolute hell would be one of those Warners holiday camps which prohibit kids, and where a load of elderlies get overdressed and over madeup to overeat every night and then sit fatly around watching the "entertainment". The only worse thing for me would be a cruise, where you can't even escape up a hill.

I'd find it odd, like Johnny Jones, to have such wall to wall child care as Esprit seem to provide, but the "early children's tea" arrangement in a Snowcoach chalet hotel worked well when two of our party were too hungry to wait up, after skiing their socks off all day, for the late (and not very good....) adults supper, which took forever and which would have bored them rigid. They had a little games and video room where they could chat with other kids if they weren't quite ready for bed. That hotel was somewhat marred though by some large, loud and uncontrolled kids who monopolised the hot tub, ran up and down the stairs yelling and wanted a good slap. Not everyone on a ski holiday behaves well. I believe there are even some people who get drunk. Shocked
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Please could the person who wrote this thread clarify whether he has children and whether when they were born he stopped work to look after them until they were school age. If he didn't he has no right to preach to anyone else.

Pam - not all of us have a grandparent to take on holiday..

Decent companies such as snowbizz employ excellent caring nannies and I felt my children were very safe and happy with them. Just because companies offer all day child care it doesn't mean most people will use it. We have used creche for the odd afternooon of a holiday not every afternoon. The time we used a babysitter in the evening the children were asleep so didn't miss us.

I have given up work for 7 yrs to look after my children and be there for them...I don't think I harm them by sending them to ski school for 5 sessions once a year!
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
queen bodecia, That's how we want to be but have had too many experiences where the experiment has not worked.

Our summer holiday this year was to a superb Hotel and we went at the start of July. There were approx 200 guests and around 20 children with them, from babies to teenagers. The small number of children was not surprising as it was term time. The children were almost all Italian or Swiss and were exceptionally well behaved. As the holiday rolled on, more and more British families turned up and their children were anything but well behaved. By the time we left, the pool was almost a war zone, with Supersoakers being the weapon of choice. Football and pool volleyball games involved who could kick/throw the ball the furthest and the noise level meant peaceful sunbathing was no longer possible. We were lucky in that we also had a private pool with our room but felt aggrieved that we had to retreat there as the main pools had been taken over by feral British kids. Over the two weeks, meal times went from tranquil enjoyable dining to an atmosphere of arguments, b*llockings, tantrums and tears.

We would probably go back to the same hotel this year as it was very good, but would go in June, further away from the start of the summer holiday. If we do want to go away in July or August, the alternative is a hotel that doesn't accept children.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:

the sort of children/families in ski resorts tend to be those with above average incomes which usually results in friendly, well-behaved and polite children

That's a joke, right? Laughing
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
bar shaker, that sounds hideous. Poorly behaved kids are enough to ruin anyone's hols and it usually goes without saying that the parents aren't much better.

We've never taken a holiday where childcare was included but the boys have always enjoyed lessons/ski school (adults and children going separate ways for a few hours is mutally beneficial) and then we have met up in the afternoon. Apart from anything else, they are better and more adventurous skiers than we are and enjoy being stretched by a ski instructor (not literally).

Like Shimmy said earlier, it doesn't sound like much of a family holiday when the children seem to spent the entire time away from the parents. But each to their own and none of us know what the home situation is. My OH doesn't get to spend a huge amount of time with the boys, we all lead (children included) busy lives. Skiing hols (for us) are a time to chill, have a laugh, etc etc together. It's not all hunky dory, arguements happen too but in a few years they will be leading their own lives and we will have just ourselves for company.

It's not up to us to judge how other people choose to organise their hols.

Badly behaved kids are another matter Evil or Very Mad
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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?
The best holidays our kids have had have been the ones where thay have gone with lots of mates, or made lots of mates out there. See it from the kids perspective; being with Mummsy and Daddykins aint that much fun.
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Lizzard wrote:
Quote:

the sort of children/families in ski resorts tend to be those with above average incomes which usually results in friendly, well-behaved and polite children

That's a joke, right? Laughing


Toofy Grin
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
bar shaker, I know exactly what you mean about the feral kids in pools - I blame the parents.

I was taking my eldest (she's 5) to her swimming lesson the other week. The parents are supposed wait with them, and hand them over to the instructor.

So, my daughter was just stood by my side, waiting. Some other little kids running riot, through the showers, and as a result I got wet. "Oi, you're wetting people", I said to one of them. At which point the mother appeared, and started bawling "don't shout at my kid". "Control her then", was my reply. "She's only 5", was the retort.

What's the betting that in years to come, "she's only 5", becomes "she's only 6, or 7 or 8 or 9 etc.", until "you can't arrest her, she's only 17" Evil or Very Mad
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I've just put a question to a small panel (14 & 10yrs) and reqested totally honest response. If they had a total choice between skiing with mates all day and skiing with us in the afternoon they both chose to keep skiing with us for at least half of the day. Partly because we are the ones who pay for choc chauds etc but also because it gives them a chance to show us how much better they are rolling eyes Laughing . Both are still experiencing enough fun with us too which was kind of reassuring.



I'll give them their pocket money now.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Lou, Laughing fair point
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
pam w wrote:
well said, queen bodecia. Watching the wee skiers is one of the great pleasures of a ski resort. Out of control kids - or yobbish adults - are a bore anywhere. But my idea of absolute hell would be one of those Warners holiday camps which prohibit kids, and where a load of elderlies get overdressed and over madeup to overeat every night and then sit fatly around watching the "entertainment". The only worse thing for me would be a cruise, where you can't even escape up a hill.

Exactly how I feel.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
While children are no doubt a delight and one's own are always perfect, it has to be said that other peoples' kids can be a pain in the back bottom. I took a latish train to work yesterday and being half term the racket from mobs of kids "expressing themselves" ensured my journey was far from bliss. For this reason I fully approve of "family friendly" hotels, however they are used as its a helpful indicator for those without kids that the atmosphere may be somewhat "exhuberant" at times.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
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Full marks for fishing to kevin mcclean. Only stanton does it better (sometimes). snowpatrol still has to learn.
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