Chamonix with Kids Xmas 2009/10

A snowHead

Trip to Chamonix staying with Esprit.

Traveling; Me, Mrs Ed, Eds Junior aged 8(just) 5 and 9 months.

Us- Me- quite keen for a fat balding bloke in his 40s (3 weeks a year- alpine and telemark). Mrs Ed also quite keen- not at all fat, slow but steady excellent in steep cut up crap. Ed Junior 8- 11 weeks skiing snow + dry slope + chill factore. Ed Junior 5 -1 week snow. Ed Junior 9 months- breast feeding!

Resort- Chamonix- ideal for a mum who wanted to stop early feed junior and pooch about. Nowhere else we have been to compares for someone who wants to take some hours out- try walking down the main street in Val Despair more than twice doing nothing in particular. Great food, shops, people. In particular- Casa Valerio- ISO standard pizza no less (would have been a steal at 1.5 euros to the pound)- the new creparie opposite the Patagonia shop- a savoury crepe, a salad, a sweet crepe and coffee for 9 euros, the Patagonia shop (where you can see all the lovely gear and then order online in the UK for less ) and a wide selection of generally nice folks. Otavalo- the telemark shop was fantastic- super fast, friendly and cheap to mount some bindings.

Skiing- Chamonix- does it get better? A bit tricky for us as we left late- had to return early and then I went out again- but the snow was fantastc for the first couple of days- then a little harder. I telemarked a fair bit which kept me sane with our routine which quite reasonably revolved around keeping our youngest child alive and happy.
Buses not as bad as I remember- although I only used them on Christmas day. Poma outside Club Med should only be used when hoards of albeit very nice Club Meders are not waiting- quicker to walk to Brevant Gondola in this case. Weather a bit variable- lots of snow mind- some moaning from fellow guests about light but realy-- in December- where do they think the stuff comes from?

Mountain food- Cremarie des Glaciers for Xmas lunch- better, bigger cheaper than the 'selfs' atmosphere in spades- magical. Elsewheere self at Brevant really quite nasty with quite nasty moaning Brits. Although in fairness to them a bit to moan about.

Hotel- Sapiniere getting very tired, hot water this time although it was brown. Food very good indeed- for adults and kids. Wine less good than perviously. Childcare absolutely outstanding- staff happy, enthusiastic, helpful and generally great- my kids were like pigs in poo-poo! A gripe is the crazy 'no children at adults meals' - including babes in arms. I quite understand not wanting 2-12 yr olds running around and being a pain- but feeding infants!

Ski school- the 8 and 5 year old were with ESF. The instructors were excellent- my older child - who has had lots of ski school (the lucky Fitzwilliam) said of his 'Thomas is the best instructor I've had- he doesn't shout at us- I can understand what he says- he's fun- he throws snowballs- we throw snowballs at his friends'. Came on very well and by the end of the week he could ski alpine as fast/faster than I could telemark- which is great. Steeps, ice bumps (little ones).

My middle child had a great older woman-- Mary Jane (Marie Jean) who took time- looked after him- and he loved her- a funny little boy who will either do exactly what he is told or exactly what he wants to do! You either get it or you don't- she got it. Thanks.

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Chamonix with Kids Xmas 2009/10

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