 Poster: A snowHead
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Should I write a letter in advance? Is there any etiquette for asking for everything politely? Should I wear a helmet if I'm going to sit on his knee? 
OK, so for some strange reason my non-skiing family (Mother, Father, Sister and Nephew) have suddenly decided to go to Levi on one of these 'visit Father Xmas' trips. 4 days, B&B accommodation, snow suits and boots, snowmobile/reindeer/husky rides, Arctic Circle Ceremony (?!  ), meeting Santa and tandem skiing all included. Of course, when asked if I wanted to tag along all I heard was the 'skiing' bit and signed up straight away. 
So, in addition to the above  does anybody have any experience of these trips? Any advice?
Also, my Dad has parkinsons so is a little wobbly on his pins. He generally uses a combination of a stick, a frame and a wheelchair depending on what kind of day he is having. Obviously we can't take them all and I'm not sure quite how useful each would be in the snow/ice etc. Any input or suggestions on this would be particularly welcome.
Thanks 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Schuss in Boots, errrm... you know this whole Father Christmas thing? Well, time to let you into a little secret.................
Sounds like fun. Cup o' coffee is a fiver I'm told.
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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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Schuss in Boots, just dont sit on his sack
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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'll need to Register first of course.
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a stick, a frame and a wheelchair depending on what kind of day he is having. Obviously we can't take them all and I'm not sure quite how useful each would be in the snow/ice etc.
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My mum had balance problems - which varied in intensity - and came with us on a snowy holiday. She was very, very, scared of the slippery surfaces. I would think a stick would be useless in terms of providing a reliable thing for him to lean on - and the extra slipperiness might make him a lot more in need of support than usual. My mum had a rollator walker - on wheels - which she could lean on when walking, if she wasn't too tired. A frame is nothing like as manoevrable, I suppose, if it keeps having to be lifted up and plonked down.
I think I'd go for the chair, which also gives you more independence at the airport, not reliant on the assistance service, and less of a problem if there are crowds/queues/delays.
Maybe check with the folk at Santa's Grotto about how wheelchair friendly their place is. He could take his stick as well, for moving around indoors and on firm surfaces?
Say hello to Santa for me. And mind what Shimmy Alcott says about not sitting on his sack.
We were late for a flight at Geneva - my mother was hurtled through the airport at breakneck speed, in from the French side (where we had left three hire cars) and through to international, with three kitbags piled up on her lap. We caught the plane, thanks to me running through an illegal route and telling easyJet there were ten people on their way, one of them disabled.... It was a bit of a nightmare really, but we caught the flight. It took her weeks to recover.
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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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Mega Jealous Schuss in Boots,
Had a little daughter 7 months ago (well my wife did - I just watched and winced!) and we started a savings account a few months ago for a trip like the one you describe above. The plan being in a few years time, she'll understand the excitement of father christmas and we'll have the funds to be able to go.....reality is we just want to go and see father christmas and etc and the little one will be stuck with two oversized kids. 
Not having been, can't offer any advice but am sure you'll have an awesome time
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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the coldness is an argument for a wheel chair maybe - easier to really bundle up and keep warm. Yes, a rollator is hopeless if it's a bit snowy - or icy, for that matter. A wheelchair will be very difficult too - but at least the effort falls to someone else to make.
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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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The top suggestion for Levi: minttu kaakao. Powerfully awesome stuff - it'll warm your ccockles! The downhill skiing is closer to Scotland than the Alps but as an overall experience Lapland is fantastic. Similar to visiting the moon (I imagine). Prepare for -30 (+windchill!) to be on the safe side and then hopefully it will be warmer than you expected. And beware of Hulluporo...
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You know it makes sense.
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What vman said. It sounds brill, even for big kids 
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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espri, Many thanks, some lovely photos above. Good tip re: the Media Zone, I've had a peek and there's some great photos there too. Thanks also for the info, especially about the pavements etc. That's a few votes for the wheelchair now, so that seems to be the way to go. I'm looking forward to it!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Schuss in Boots, We were there last Dec - there should be a good thread or two with pics in for you to read - people were really helpful to me when I enquired. The light just before Christmas was amazing - that blue twilight was beautiful. But the cold was something else - husband got chilblains tho we stopped after every 45 mins or so when skiing (I have boot heaters...). We decided against the husky/skidoo rides as we both feel the cold and weren't convinced the arctic suits would be enough over even thick clothing at -25C plus windchill from speed of travel. I can cope with skiing at -18C and -25C with ski boot heaters but when the batteries run down I stop pretty soon. But we loved the trip and are hoping to go back to Levi in April if possible.
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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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Schuss in Boots, I think he had an exit Claus. 
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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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You know it makes sense.
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geepee, more like Christmas crackers
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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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Sorry it's a bit late (hectic xmas, followed by hectic start to the year)  but I wanted to thank everyone for their input and advice on this thread. In particular pam w for the very valuable - and very accurate - advice regarding the wheelchair. On the back of this, we did take one with us and we have never been so grateful for anything, it was brilliant and I doubt we could have managed without it. As espri mentioned, the pavements and paths are kept very clear and flat, so pushing the chair on them was relatively easy. We even managed to get Dad to enjoy the 'handbrake turns' we got in on the corners. The temperature varied between a toasty -14 and a rather chilly -26 but with the air so dry it was difficult to tell the difference. My eyelashes didn't freeze but I have to say it was a somewhat 'interesting' experience to have the [cough] moisture in your nostrils freeze as you were breathing...
We had a totally amazing time - those of you who mentioned saving up for a similar trip, all I can say is DO IT, you won't regret the money spent. It was magical; the half-light, the events that were laid on, the food, the accomodation, the friendly and helpful locals, the transport - you name it, I couldn't fault it. Even the little bit of skiing I managed to squeeze in was fantastic with the perfectly groomed pistes and the light powder snow was just fab. Mum said that it was just like walking around in a xmas card all the time - and that's probably the best description I could give.
We travelled with Monarch/Cosmos and I have to give a massive and grateful thumbs up to the staff in resort for putting so much into every aspect of the trip and in particular the thought and effort they put into providing solutions for getting Dad around - his own personal skidoo trailer for transporting him from the coach to all the parts of the activity centre, if you please.  Nothing was too much trouble for them.
In summary, a fantastic trip, a wonderful memory for the family to savour and made all the more so by heeding the advice of those who posted in this thread - thank you all.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Glad it all worked out so well. After my visit, I must admit that I wondered why people (particularly skiing beginners) would go to Levi where the conditions are extreme (I thought the cold could be unpleasant, particularly for learners). But it is different and special. And obviously enjoyable. And there's certainly plenty to do.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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They only had cross country skiing on offer and we didn't manage to fit any in!
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for shame, Nells!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Only just noticed this thread  . Just thought I'd drop in to say for walking with crutches on snow we've found the combination of Yaktrax and these pretty secure. First saw them last time I went skiing (in Levi as it happens) but have recommended them to people in the UK now who've used them with success. They/you can just flick down the spike to adapt for outdoors and flick up for indoors.
(no connection to either company)
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FAQ
will stick to anything!. the air is very dry so a face mask will help especially on the t-bars they had then! even eyelashes froze up!.
but she still has a point. 
