 Poster: A snowHead
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I find myself in an utterly new situation: thinking about ski trips with a new baby!
Little Joshua was born in September and initially I thought it might be best just to leave skiing for this season - however, the more I think about it, the more I reckon (with the right planning) it's probably possible.
So, any advice on the best way to approach this would be very much appreciated.
Also, any thoughts/suggestions on baby-friendly resorts/accomodation?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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abj, Congratulations 
You'll get lots of advice here, some of which will be highly personalised (naturally...) but you'll know which options suit you and Joshua best.
Things you need to consider include:-
Are you intended to go with anyone else to help (husband, granny. friend etc)? That will determine lots of other things such as resort, accommodation, if you need a creche, if you need a short transfer, non-ski activities for your granny/helper etc. Does Joshua sleep easily and anywhere? Is he breast-fed or on formula/needing some solids by the time you plan to go? Are you intending to fly/drive?
Skiing (or any holiday) with a young baby is perfectly doable, but as you say needs planning. A younger baby is possibly easier to manage than a crawler/toddler - let us know above, and we can help more
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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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Esprit with nneb nursery - they're excellent with kids (I've two kids and have used lots of ops with creche/nursery and childcare and I think Esprit are the best).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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abj, it depends on what exactly you hope to achieve from the trip. On that depends on whether you'll need a flame proof suit to survive the Mumsnetters 
If you want to drop the kid into childcare for the day and ski from first lift to last, you'll need the shiny silver stuff used by airport fire crews. They'll be queueing up to tell you not to be so selfish, that the baby is on holiday too, that quality time with your kid is what is missing the rest of the time so you need it on holiday to make up for being such a selfish parent, won't someone please think of the children yada yada yada. That said, there are places which will arrange this for you so that you have fully qualified childcare just like at home, probably with English-speaking staff. They exist because it happens regularly, so if that's what you want to do and you're comfortable with it then just tune out those who want to be the social conscience for everyone, and go with your own instincts.
If you are going to take it in turns to stay with the baby while the other skis, or you can take some grandparents along to cover the childcare, then you'll start to have some possibilities which don't involve asbestos or silver foil. Joining up with another couple in a similar situation and sharing the childcare can also work well, but with any of these options you are likely to be restricted somewhat in your choices by the amount of effort involved in getting everyone up, dressed and fed in the morning, and getting back in time to avoid upsetting those left with the baby.
Most resorts see babies regularly, so unsurprisingly they can cope fairly well with having them around. I've never had a problem finding high chairs, changing facilities and so on in town, but if you take them up the mountain to meet up for lunch then stick to the really big places beside the lifts rather than the full of character places built 150+ years ago as a goatherd's hut, since they were unlikely to think about the requirement for tourist nappy changing back then.
In town, pick somewhere flat - Bad Gastein and Finkenberg are lovely places I've been to, but trying to get around them with a baby in a sling, backpack or buggy isn't fun due to the main street being on a 20 degree slope (they're in a mountainous area, right?). Go with somewhere flat, large enough to have good facilities and attractions for non-skiers, and ideally where you can ski into town to meet up at lunchtime on some days. My experience has mainly been in Austria, so Zell am See and Saalbach/Hinterglemm meet these requirements, while Mayrhofen fits everything except for the lunchtime meets. Take a buggy, but also consider a sledge for getting around - you can usually hire something fairly cheaply. They don't get stuck in the snow, are much easier to move through a heavy fall or slush, and can double up as a shopping carrier
Travelling is relatively easy with a baby who doesn't want to get down and walk around, and who doesn't understand the concept of the seatbelt sign on the plane - enjoy it while you can. When you arrive, avoid long coach transfers - they're tiring, stuffy, uncomfortable if full (TO coaches usually are...), and don't have changing facilities, so anything over an hour is asking for problems. A private transfer or going by train are much easier if that's an option.
When skiing, arrange for everyone to meet up at the end of the day - you're still in your gear, so playing in the snow for 20 minutes gives the sitters a break and adds some quality time as well as hopefully tiring out the baby so they sleep.
Finally, altitude doesn't generally agree with babies - keep them below 2000m for comfort, and ideally stay in a low village rather than somewhere like Arc 1950.
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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 will have a great time, some tips from someone who has done it before. doesn't make me right or wrong just my views.
take some calpol
go somewhere you can walk to the resort centre with a push chair so the person not skiing can meet up for lunch.
go when the weather is likely to be slightly warmer and sunny.
take some calpol
split the skiing either mornings/afternoons or rotate days between those skiing and those talking care of junior.
a catered chalet is always good especially if you can fill it with family/friends.
take some calpol.
we found with both of ours when young that they had ear ache on the first night and this made the first day or 2 quite hard.
relax and have fun.
oh and take some calpol.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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abj, It's definitely possible. Our baby is due on 26th November and we are booked to go away on 23rd December! Hoping not to go over by much, if at all, as the only thing we have concerned ourselves with is getting the baby a passport.
We always drive so we can pack the car with everything we need and this has worked really well with no.1 son.
We are going to Val Cenis. My only stipulation when booking was somewhere we had been before so I'd know what was available etc.
Even though I'm not planning to ski much (if I feel up to it I will), I'm really looking forward to it! This will be our 5th consecutive Christmas away and the thought if being at home filled me more with dread than going away so soon after having a baby!
If you want to do it you will
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Go for it - we did it at 9 monhts and its fine
a low resort ( our first was in Geilo which worked out ok , and we didnt use esprit ( used Crystal - the nursery was by the main gondola, so we skied past nearly every run. )
Esprit highly rated
get a Mclaren foldaway buggy & the bag it goies in ( you can stuff the bag full of spare nappied wipes etc so easy access on the journey)
most airlaine you pack the buggy up and hand it over at the door and get it back when you land.
if you are going to use a full time nursery in the UK, as well then do a couple of started days before you go skiing to get used to the idea ( both you and baby) and iron out anything before.
make sure you request a bath - baby will not want a shower.
Use the buggy bag to take a clean covering for the cot from home so you know its clean. ( never tried this but have often wondered if
you can get a single buggy & a travel cot into a double buggy bag.
take some Karvol or similar & calpol ( ie stuff you are used to - so you dont have to rush around in a panic.
Be prepared for one day off from skiing, as if they catch a cold, or worse you willnot be able to leave them in the nursery.
I would suggest hiring skis, to save having to take them and buggies etc.
Remember a child seat for the transfer may be needed
you can get travel ( plastic bag based sterilisers which worked out OK from boots )
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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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ousekjarr,
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September is a good time to have a youngun. Skiing the previous Winter whilst pregant is doable (first trimester). And the following Winter, if you don't go *too* early in the season, baby is old enough come with you, and go up and down the bubble lifts and be pulled along in a sledge 
Take a non-skiing buddy if possible. It'll be fine.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Our first trip with baby (9 months old) was to Courchevel 1850, we stayed in a chalet about 400 yards from main lift so could walk into town centre easily. I even walked up to the altibar and back a couple of times which actually was really nice. Got a bus to 1650 and then up in the bubble with the push chair to Bel Air for lunch, swapped ski's with OH and she took little un back to chalet in a taxi.
Forgot to add - Take some books for those times you are sat in chalet/hotel/bar and junior is sleeping.
Other thoughts, if they are old enough to be cruising around the furniture or toddling then remember most chalets aren't really child friendly (lot's of corners and the odd fireplace or staircase in the wrong place) so you need to be careful.
Calpol (oh I've already mentioned that), but did I mention medised (night nurse for kids). One thing with the meds, might sound simple and basic but one time we had an issue where O/H dosed junior up (ear ache) and then so did I. Got O/H panicking so quick call to a friend who is a GP to confirm we hadn't overdosed them and all was fine, but the point is there is lot's going on and the rooms don't always allow for everyone to be in the same place at the same time (particularly childrens bedtime) so have an agreed plan. eg 1 person gives the meds out at all times.
Courchevel and other resorts often have some things to amuse little ones (1850 has a little merry go round) expensive yep, but good for 15 minutes of smiles and few photos.
Get them in bed early (they will be tired from all the fresh air and play in the snow) and let the grown ups have a few drinks and some good food.
Though ski trips (and all holidays) can be hard work with young ones, some of my favourite memories and photos are when they were really young (and couldn't ski faster than me).
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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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baby will not want a shower
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my third baby lived in a house with 3 showers and no baths, had showers from the outset, and was never a problem. Babies who can't cope with water on their face are a pain.
Definitely go skiing this winter - it will be far, far, far, harder next year when baby will have his own ideas about how he wants to spend his days!
We travelled extensively (not skiing) with a baby aged between 6 weeks and 3.5 months, with two older boys (5 and 7). Fully breastfed (hugely simplifies things) and small enough to be transported in a sling. Really, really, straightforward. Too young to need a cot (she slept more than once in the drawer from a chest of drawers, in US hotels). And she took showers.
Take granny if possible.
And be careful if you are skiing soon after delivery. I windsurfed one month before delivery, no problem, but would have been more wary afterwards, because of slack ligaments etc. I learnt my lesson playing squash when baby 2 was 5 weeks old. I had a very bad back afterwards, whereas I don't normally ever suffer from back problems.
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| pam w wrote: |
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baby will not want a shower
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my third baby lived in a house with 3 showers and no baths, had showers from the outset, and was never a problem. Babies who can't cope with water on their face are a pain. |
^ this, x1000000.
We don't have a bath either in our current place. paulio jr (2 y.o) loves his showers, and always has. We trained him not to be afraid of getting a few splashes on his face by, effectively, using CIA standard waterboarding techniques on him for the first year of his life.
We also let him have 'baths' that are conducted on the shower tray, in a huge bucket.
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You know it makes sense.
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we did it with our angel at 15 months - in nursery with Esprit - been back 2 times since and again this season - They are V GOOD (cant be lucky 3 times right?) - just lower your expectations of nannies, little one and yourself! you wont do half the sking you did before but you'll ski and enjoy a great holiday with family - go tobogganing the baby will love it - chose a resort with a pool - public facilities are great in europe - take trips up cable cars for lunch - tog baby up well but dont get paranoid - take the pushchair - build snowmen - enjoy an earlier than usual apre ski beer or wine and relax over dinner.
Accept you wont be able to do what you did before and it will be best ski holiday ever. ps if your ok skiing on your own while O/H takes charge take turns - it was a new experience for us but can be fun - its just different - learn to enjoy all the mountain has to offer.
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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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We went skiing with twin boys aged 21 months and a 3 month old
Takes a bit of planning but is fine
Yes we dumped them in childcare for part of each day - did we feel bad parents cos of it, NO. Did they appear to enjoy their holiday, YES
Only you know how your little one will be and how you will feel, but it is perfectly possible
We drove as I think that made it easier for us, but others will swear flying is easier
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks for all the replies ... all very encouraging, so puts my mind at rest.
paulio, Boredsurfing, yep, a September birth seems like it may end-up working well: we managed a couple of early-season ski trips last season (plus a boys weekenf for me) and fingers-crossed we'll make this coming season work too!
pam w, I'm the dad - so there are a few things I'll need to check with the boss/mum - but as she's already back running/at the gym, she's looking in good nick fitness-wise.
Good advice on choosing a flat resort - hadn't really considered getting around with slings/buggies.
Someone mentioned Geillo (Norway) - which I know quite well and was one of our options. However, as we were planning on taking it in turns to look after the little guy, we were ideally looking for somewhere with a few more off the snow activities (which Geilo is a bit lacking) ... so any thoughts/suggestions on this would be great!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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If you had stuck with abj then this problem could gave been avoided.
Ok, based on my experience; either a granny or use the services of a specialist family ski company.
Simples.
Bin baby with the carer and go shred the mountain.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 16-11-11 21:46; edited 1 time in total
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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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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
| If you had stuck with abj then this problem could gave been avoided. |
paulio's Joke Du Jour award.
Absolutely excellent.
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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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paulio, honoured
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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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Frosty the Snowman, Shining wit 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Would now be a good time to put in a recommendation for a nanny? Shhh. Nobody tell Guvnor.
Snowbugs in the 3Vs, were excellent when we used them with our then 16 month old.
When we came home after skiing, jr wasn't remotely pleased to see us. In fact he cried, and gave us a very obvious cold shoulder, and wanted to stay with the nanny instead.
First season with a September newborn leaves you in a tricky spot though. Most nurseries/nannies won't take kids under 6 months. In our first year we found a non-skiing friend, paid for all her expenses, and let her pootle about taking photographs with babby in a papoose thingy. We met up with her regularly for hot chocolate, sledging, and breast milk.
This worked extremely well (and was in Vaujany, which is a bloody awkward resort for this kind of thing, as resorts go). Taking little-un up the cable car to 2000m didn't seem to bother him by the way, despite having fingers wagged at us by the lift operator.
Take sun cream. Lots of sun cream. And remember that little kids get colder than you do.
The following year, Jan 2011, with the nanny I mentioned above it was all different. Had little skis on him (which broke - avoid those plastic things, they're sh*t), he went running about, bothering the dogs in the mountain restaurants, riding the bubble cars seemed to excite him, and ate at the table in the chalet with everyone else. That was at 16 months as I say.
Apart from the inevitable odd days to the local hill, we're booked for two chalet weeks this winter. One in Jan, so he'll be 28 months, and one end of march so he'll be 30 months.
If anything we anticipate these being worse, as now he is able to run about more, and is a bolshy b*stard
So of course, we're getting him looked after the whole time, and spending none of our time with him whatsoever. GREAT PARENTING.
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Pedantica, same here, but still don't get it  I can guess but can't see how the joke works.
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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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holidayloverxx, I'll pm you.
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| Pedantica wrote: |
| holidayloverxx, I'll pm you. |
Is this another acronym?
Give me a few minutes, I'll get it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Pedantica, thankyou! ROTFLMAO (just call me slow....)
Well Done FTS
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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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paulio,
Btw, I loved this:
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using CIA standard waterboarding techniques on him for the first year of his life.
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holidayloverxx, I was slow too, just slightly less slow than you!
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Have been skiing with the kids since they were a few months old. When they are just a few months in all honesty it doesn't matter in the slightest what resort you go to for their comfort, as their needs are easily catered for; warmth, food and nappy changes plus a bit of company
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What you need to think of is who is looking after them, we were living in Asia at the time and grandparents were delighted to rendez vous and do a bit of baby sitting. If you go down this route my advice is somewhere where the baby sitter has some pleasant surroundings to push a pram and places that make good rendez vous at lunch
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FAQ
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