 Poster: A snowHead
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I am contemplating a trip next year to ski the alps as a single parent with sensible kids age 12 and 9 (who ski the socks off me and are happy on virtually the whole mountain). Working on the 'what happens if' scenarios I'd be interested to know if anyone else regularly does this. I guess I'm looking for a little reassurance that it's not considered a daft thing to contemplate, esp. as I'm only an intermediate skier myself (and still a tad nervous in the wrong situation). I also know that that there would probably be a SH somewhere in the vicinity that I could call on if the proverbial did hit the fan, but I'd still be interested to hear from anyone that does this.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 29-08-11 19:48; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My mum took me as a single parent pretty much for my entire childhood from 8 years old, she isn't a strong skier herself but can get down most slopes if need be to get to lunch etc, getting lost being more of a problem then not being able to get down! My brother and I had instructors during the day so we were looked after but even if you ski with your children I'm sure if they are sensible like you say all will be fine! Your children will thank you for taking them, I'm so grateful I was still taken for all that time even when my mum was a single parent.
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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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Megamum, I've taken my daughter, now 15, away loads of times since she was 8, as a single parent. In fact we both started at the same time. The most successful trips are the ones to L2A at Easter. There are always other families there who we ski and socialise with. At half term it's usually just the two of us and although we still have a good time it's not quite the same.
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Been on trips with just me and one or more of the kids loads of times. If you're worried about inadvertently getting separated, then make sure that they have mobiles that can make international calls. I've tried Walkie talkies but they weren't successful.
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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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The only problem I ever had when skiing with my son was getting separated. Mobiles that work in resort are essential.
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i go with the kids, and dad stays at home with the cats. 12 and 9 sound great, they should be old enough to tell you before they throw up in the back of the car over the skis, no nappy changing, can walk without being carried all the time, will live on junk food, and should still get cheaper lift passes.Sulking can be worse though...
I've been a few times with the 15,14,6 and 5 year old, I'm rubbish at skiing. Are there any particular situations you're apprehensive of?
Maria.
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I go with my 2 boys and my wife stays with the cats !!
Have been skiing with them for nearly 10 years now - they are 15 and 18 and good skiers.
Usually go with another family and share the responsibilities. First couple of years they went to skischool but after that we split the cost of a private instructor for a few sessions which worked out much better. They have mobiles and we always agree a rendezvous point if we get separated. Never had any problems at all - they rate skiing as their favourite holiday ..... much to my wifes disgust !
We have been self catering / chalet and chalethotel - favourite is chalethotel at half term with loits of other kids .... expensive but worth it and the skiing group which I tend to guide can get quite large.
This year went B&B hotel in Argentiere - with my 2 boys and 2 other teenagers - all packed into a Fiat Panda with 2 sets of skis ...... had fab time despite poor snow.
Resort choice is important - easy to navigate with easy enough runs. I rate Alpe D'Huez top of the list for mixed ability families.
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'Megamum, I have taken my daughters from age 7 up to 12 seperately over quite a few years, as I try and have a week here and there with them on hols away from the other and Mrs A , as I do not seee them enough in the working week.
One singleton trip was however caused when we realised the day before departure ( New Year's eve ) that one of their passports was well past its use by date.
It has worked brilliantly , even though more recently they also out ski me . I must admit we did not have mobiles , but managed most of the time to stay in reasonable proximity. I always put a card with contact details in their jackets , and emergency cash.
Staying in chalets has meant we meet other parents and kids . The one time we were in a hotel with no other kids we ended up ski-ing with a great group of people we met on one of the SCGB guided days.
For me , the risks have always been greatly outweighed by the benefits . Kids I think also rise to the occasion - they know you are putting yourself out for them and behave accordingly .
Good luck and as others have said your kids will thank you and you will have great memories. Lucky kids !
John
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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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Well at least it doesn't seem an 'off the wall idea' judging by the response above - thanks folks. I guess the scenario that I am most concerned by is the one you hope you doesn't happen (and therefore shouldn't plan your life around) and that's the scenario of me being stretchered off the mountain, i.e. the same issue that I worry about when up in the hills during the summer (esp. since my unscheduled stop off down the side of a path where my elbow had a meeting with large rock a few weeks back - something I was lucky enough to walk away from and at the time was up there with an another adult).
Has anyone here been a ski patrol member? I wonder what sort of protocol is followed where kids are left following an 'off the mountain' 'yard sale' by an accompanying adult?
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or you could just book it, enjoy the holiday and stop worrying about crap
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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graeme, Yes, I fully admit that you talk sense there, the worry is just me all over 
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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 more you worry about some things the more likely they are to happen. It's like skiing trees, don't look at the trees enjoy skiing the gaps inbetween. In the unlikely event something does happen, someone somewhere will help you out.
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Megamum, Have taken Mounta1nGoat since he was 11, we have been seperated a few times and have found a mobile essential. It helps that he has always been pretty mature and does other mountain sports. Also I usually make him responsible for planning our route which means he is very aware of where he is and what options are available. In poor vis or where we anticipate a potential problem we agree a plan or meeting point before descending. One thing I have learned from experience, if you're in an area of poor reception or saturation (disaster area) a text will often get through when a call can't.
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You know it makes sense.
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DB, True, I guess its the old addage about 'pink elephants'!
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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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Megamum, no idea as to the ski patrol bit. But with as you say sensible 9 and 12 year old competent skiers I really would not worry. One of mine at the age of 10 ended up ski-ing home alone in very heavy snow after Mrs A was casevaced off - she got left or forgotten by the pisteur .
Not ideal but she got through it and I would not let it stop me now ( or then ).
The worst that happened to me was remonstrating rather too strongly with an adult queue barger who roughly pushed my daughter , then 10 , over. I should have kept my temper for her sake ( or rather embarassment ). And then clocked him when she was not looking  ( not really ).
John
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Poster: A snowHead
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Megamum, what do you see as potential issues as a mum with two kids in comparison with going as a couple with two kids - as your previous trips iirc ? what are your worries and maybe others can advice whether they are real issues or not.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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rayscoops, sometimes you are a silly billy: read the thread for god's sake.
She has quite clearly stated - what happens if mum is carted off the mountain?
I too usually get frustrated by Megamum's worries and seemingly banal excuses for not changing, but in the case, I think that is a legitimate question to ask - who ensures they get home - piste patrol? Who ensures they are fed and watered when back at hotel - TO? Are ski school going to be happy if there is no emergency contact / back up available the next day? What happens if a DIY and they need to get back to the airport while mum is laid up for a few more days on her E111 - consulate?
They may all have simple and genuine answers, (like "OhFFS, - they've got a tongue in their heads") but sometimes, it is nice to know if others have any advice they can offer, or experience in this field.
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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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| anarchicsaltire wrote: |
| Megamum, Have taken Mounta1nGoat since he was 11, we have been seperated a few times and have found a mobile essential...... |
Took younger son out twice without a mobile phone. As mobiles didn't exist then we would have had no holidays, otherwise. So I don't think that they are essential - but definitely I would take them these days.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Tue 5-07-11 14:17; edited 2 times in total
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I guess its the practical aspects of skiing with them, do I follow them, do they follow me, if one falls and I stop to pick them up will the other realise? (I guess that's covered by the 'stop when you get to X so we can regroup), if I fall over will they kill themselves laughing (probably), will they get frustrated with being kept to the easier stuff (buy 'em an instructor for the afternoon sometimes I guess), can I get down all reds yet or could I put myself at the top of a run that I can't ski down (mind you from the videos recently linked to it seems that you can side slip most stuff) - mind you it's difficult to side-slip moguls, conversely maybe peer pressure from the kids will get me down most things, can I keep up with them (unlikely, but will that frustrate them?) - see? It's the daft things.......................
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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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Yes at least Megamum has valid concerns about what would happen to important issues (children) rather than worries about where to go on a gay holiday or a VW Polo.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Megamum wrote: |
| I wonder what sort of protocol is followed where kids are left following an 'off the mountain' 'yard sale' by an accompanying adult? |
Good question, wouldn't the easiest solution be to hook up with another family, share the costs and have some 'cover'??
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| Megamum wrote: |
| I guess its the practical aspects of skiing with them, do I follow them, do they follow me, if one falls and I stop to pick them up will the other realise? |
At the age, don't pick them up!
For my kids I ask them and we take it it turns, ie you follow me, next time I follow you etc.
Standard group etiquette, before setting of is to point/agree the meet point, ie bottom of that chair, the piste map in the distance, piste pole no. 45 etc etc
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Megamum, My daughter is a far better skier than me and we don't have any who's following protocol. I skied off the side of a track in St Anton in February in very poor visibility and fell down a fair way. It took me about 10 minutes to climb out, my daughter's reaction was a mixture of amusement and concern.
If you are driving make sure your breakdown cover covers the eventuality of the only driver being unable to drive home, RAC will send a driver out, others won't.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Tue 5-07-11 14:40; edited 1 time in total
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oh fred change since response.
re: following. I follow child. child shouts 'hurry up' a lot. later child sulks and wails 'I'm never skiing with you again, you're crap'. Child is given ice cream or chocolate and reluctantly agrees to 'just down there with me please...'.
child usually can find someone else that can actually ski and is willing to let her tag along!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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JimW/Arctic Roll, the opening post did not contain any detail and Megamum had given a single example of what worries her when I asked her to tell us what she sees as the issues, all I was trying to do was to get her to expand upon this. If she was solely worried about what happens if she gets stretchered off the mountain then I suspect her opening post would have been 'what happens if I get stretchered off the mountain'.
What is the point of double guessing what worries Megamum - it is likely to be slightly different from what worries everyone else ? since my post she has opened up a bit on all those little worries that can play on a parents mind.
One thing that I have found an issue with parents is what if they do not make it back to the ski school on time (lift closed etc) when the kids have finished their lessons - who looks after them then ?
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Wed 6-07-11 8:36; edited 1 time in total
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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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Arctic Roll, Sorry for often being a frustrating whatsit , but yes, the carted of the mountain bit is the biggest risk x least likely occurence. My business is 'risk assessment' and 'mitigation' so maybe I can be excused a concern over that one?
kittya, I can see that last comment LOL!
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Megamum,
Sounds like you just need to pick up a bloke who can ski well at Apres Ski. 
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You know it makes sense.
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Megamum,
Before you go, take copies of:
Passport
Insurance papers
EHIC
ID papers with child's name, your name, your holiday and home address and tel no, your mobile no.
Fold them into an envelope and hide them deep inside an inside pocket in their jackets, not to be opened except in an emergency. Give them instructions that, if they lose you, they should make their wasy to the nearest lift and present them to the liftie.
My children have needed to use them three times in the years we've been skiing - twice because their instructor had lost them, and once when concussed and couldn't remember where they were (a sibling pulled out the paperwork!)
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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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| achilles wrote: |
| anarchicsaltire wrote: |
| Megamum, Have taken Mounta1nGoat since he was 11, we have been seperated a few times and have found a mobile essential...... |
Took younger son out twice without a mobile phone. As mobiles didn't exist then we would have had no holidays, otherwise. So I don't think that they are essential - but definitely I would take them these days. |
I sort of agree, if mobile phones didn't exist I wouldn't consider them essential
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Chamcham wrote: |
Megamum,
Before you go, take copies of:
Passport
Insurance papers
EHIC
ID papers with child's name, your name, your holiday and home address and tel no, your mobile no.
Fold them into an envelope and hide them deep inside an inside pocket in their jackets, not to be opened except in an emergency. Give them instructions that, if they lose you, they should make their wasy to the nearest lift and present them to the liftie.
My children have needed to use them three times in the years we've been skiing - twice because their instructor had lost them, and once when concussed and couldn't remember where they were (a sibling pulled out the paperwork!) |
If you're going to all that effort pop them in a self sealing plastic bag or you could just find soggy wet paper mush!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Chamcham wrote: |
Megamum,
Before you go, take copies of:
Passport
Insurance papers
EHIC
ID papers with child's name, your name, your holiday and home address and tel no, your mobile no.
Fold them into an envelope and hide them deep inside an inside pocket in their jackets, not to be opened except in an emergency. Give them instructions that, if they lose you, they should make their wasy to the nearest lift and present them to the liftie.
My children have needed to use them three times in the years we've been skiing - twice because their instructor had lost them, and once when concussed and couldn't remember where they were (a sibling pulled out the paperwork!) |
I was just about to suggest something on these same lines - whilst there are usually a few adults in my ski group, my children (a bit older than megamum's ) may well find themselves with just one of us, on occasion - they have yet to get lost, but that day may come. They each wear their Dogtag insurance thingy, carry their EHIC in a zipped inside pocket, and I make a small laminated card with their name, where they are staying, mobile numbers of several responsible adults etc and that goes in the zipped pocket too. They each have a mobile too. I think all you can do, is make sure they know what to do in an emergency or if they find themselves alone, and mitigate the risk of them needing to put that knowledge into action 
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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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Lots of sensible advice above. Don't forget that successful ski resorts didn't get where they are today by leaving the corpses of abandoned children to be uncovered by the spring thaw. There's a whole, well-oiled, well-rehearsed series of procedures which will see them safe. Maybe at the HQ of the lift company, maybe at the tourist office, etc etc. Having their details in a waterproof package sounds an excellent idea. Now that mobiles have been invented, they're a good idea too (but tell them not to phone about rubbish or it'll cost more than the holiday).
Sounds a great idea, go for it. They are hardly going to be little lost souls on a bare mountain at half term, are they?
Get them a couple of afternoons with an instructor, tell them if they go off piste on their own they'll be grounded. And if they get cocky because you're too slow just make them ski backwards. Or on one leg. Or backwards on one leg.
Maybe task one of them with planning a morning's skiing "that mum can manage" and get the other one to plan the next morning. The navigator takes charge, organises which lifts to go to, where to stop for coffee and, of course, ensures that the 3 of you all know what run you're doing, when to stop and regroup, what to do if one gets lost, etc etc.
Try to sit back and let them do it - don't interfere, let them get it a bit wrong if necessary.
Try to find a less crowded resort - probably not France.
My kids enjoyed the holidays where there were other kids the most. Either their cousins or other kids in a chalet hotel. Can be boring with just Mum and your brother/sister.
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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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pam w,
All sound advice.
We went to Club Med last year - all inclusive, including ski lessons. Almmost everyone whe went to the lessons, even beginners, said they were a waste of time, but they were taken around the mountain by and ESF instructor, and made similar age friends to mix with in the confines of the "safe" Club Med hotel. And single parent(s) got to put their feet up and drink (all inclusive) cocktails with other similarly relaxed parents
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Timberwolf, Glad your back, really 
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I would recommend going to a small resort, maybe somewhere like Saint Jean De Sixt, inbetween La Clusaz and La Garnad Bonand - very family oriented and well worth a visit, lots of skiing for intermediates as well, I visited there last year with my family which included a 6, 7 and 8 year old and it was great - very friendly
Hope thats of some use to you
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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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Megamum, this applies equally to single parents and others. Take turns at leading, it stops them getting bored when you're slower than them. At the top of a run , unless it is obvious that it goes straight down to the village, or a lift, make sure that they stop at the major piste markers and junctions until everyone is there. We did lose a 15 year old for some time in Whistler. He waited near the top of the run, but hadn't realised we'd taken another one. He didn't have a mobile.
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Hells Bells, On that note make sure you are all looking at the same marker/junction by using other distinctive objects such as people in stupid jackets, snowcannons, trees.
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FAQ
- she went to skischool daily, instructor meeting her at the bottom and travelling up rather than mountain meeting place, and I pottered around - twice I went up the lift and met her for lunch which was more for me than her. She was fine and I was more envious than concerned, found people are good and generally helpful. Travel insurance were very reassuring should transport home need altering - due to nonbendyleg - child definitely wouldn't have been expected travel without me. Turns out if I'd been proper mangled or dead they'd've brought over grandma or someone to look after child & take home... bit extreme methinks!
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