 Poster: A snowHead
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I would really appreciate you advice. My daughter is 3, has never been on snow, she needs some entertainment while her parents ski.
What are toddler friendly resorts in Europe where I can ski while my toddler is in some form of daycare or at ski school?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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One easy option is going with a TO geared up for children that offer childcare as well as children lessons. We have and are using for this April Esprit Ski. Our youngest is 3 and she is booked in for snowclub on the morning and Spritlets ski lessons in the afternoon. We are going to St Anton this time and went to Courchevel last time when my eldest was 4 and youngest was 1. They were very very good and we had a great holiday and my 4 yr old absolutely loved it, she was desperate to go into snow club before it started and threw a tantrum the day we tOok her out early.
They can work out quite pricey but the first and last weeks of the season work out the cheapest (the weeks we went and are going due the cost)
There are others like Ski famille, crystal have sOme hotels with whizz club and Maro Warner having not used them I can't comment from personal experience.
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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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La Tania with Ski Magic, if you just want a great value holiday where you hand over to a brilliant nanny and scoot off for the day.
Alternatively, any resorts where Snowbugs nannies operate.
For a perfect ski school for the really little ones, Les Marmottons in Tignes.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Wed 31-10-12 18:38; edited 1 time in total
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Just spotted your location. The esprit Packages inc flights from the UK so would be poor value. I believe Ski famille don't inc flights there so ones like that may work out better overall
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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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NickyJ, they will (or used to do) a no flight option but only if you are not based in the UK.
Sash, Ski Esprit, Mark Warner and a few others specialise in ski holidays for families with kids and provide on site day care - and evenings.
Esprit and ski familie just do families-which is best
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Sash, WHen my son was your daughters age we had a great time in Lech, he really enjoyed the ski kindergarten which was basd inside but had an outside area with a little nursery slope and toddler lift which he loved. Staff were great but that was a few years ago now, but worth investigating.
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Thank you for suggestions!
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Sash, what basis are you coming to Europe on? Are you heading here for a weeks skiing holiday, or for a broader/longer/shorter trip?
Esprit are great but probably will only cater for the Sat-Sat type ski holiday. Same with Mark Warner I imagine - or indeed many typical TOs.
Plenty of resorts, on the other hand, will have daycare nurseries and I'm pretty sure there are many snowHeads with experience they would share. So, if you could be more specific about the type of trip you're making, what your needs are (skiing/accommodation etc), then its quite possible you'll get some more info.
FWIW, I put my daughter (3 at the time) into a local daycare nursery in a French resort and she loved it - the place was (as you'd hope to expect), warm, friendly and fun - she never wanted to leave and always seemed happy.
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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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Yep, concur with Chasseur. Lots of the garderies are very accommodating, professionally run, and can be great value for money - although a certain degree of aptitude in spoken French helps when booking especially if you're at all "off the beaten track" - France is a bit behind the times with websites and email and online booking and the internet in general, and you might have to make phone calls.
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You won't go wrong with Esprit. We had several excellent annual trips to La Rosiere with Esprit when the family were younger.
Alternatively, if the dedicated tour operator approach doesn't appeal take a look at the Cariboo Club in Les Arcs 1950. The high standard of accommodation & facilities in 1950 reflect the fact that the village was built by a North American developer (Intrawest) & the skiing is excellent around Paradiski. The Cariboo daycare gets good reports although it can be pricey. Alternatively, stay in 1950 (which has better accommodation) and use La Garderie just up the hill in Arc 2000. La Garderie gets excellent feedback from English-speaking visitors and is considerably cheaper.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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+1 for Cariboo Club in Les Arc 1950. One of the best childcare experiences I've had (son was 3 at the time) in a ski resort. Raddison run one of the hotel/apartment blocks there, which is a very short walk from the daycare. (On the off change you are a member of their frequent traveller scheme and have lots of points it's a good place to spend them, alternatively if you stay there make sure you join the scheme as one stay will get you enough points for a couple of nights in one of their hotels elsewhere.)
IME one thing to be aware of with daycare in European resorts is the language barrier. While that staff will generally all speak reasonable English, if you're outside of the peak UK school holiday season (recommended, as that's busy and expensive) there will be a limited number of other English speaking children. Having said that, my kids at 3 didn't seem to be too worried by that.
As said above, most resorts have a kindergarten, so it also depends what else you are looking for from the resort.
I can also recommend the Alpenpark hotel in Seefeld (Austria) which has in house childcare and babysitting available, a fun swimming pool for playing with little one at the end of the day (and an Adult Spa too). Lots of snow walks and opportunities for sledging, snowmen and snowball fights too 
Finally had a good experience with the Kindergarten in Wagrain (Austria) earlier this year (for my daughter - 2 at the time). We stayed in the Hotel Alpina which was friendly for little ones, though a bit of a trek to the Kindergarten (we drove, so it was OK).
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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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Sash,
We have taken a 4 year old to La Rosiere, through Ski Beat (they do a no flight option) and Samoens travelling independently and used the Halte Garderie (French state run creche). I would recommend both for childcare. In Samoens my 4 year old was with her friend, so the lanaguage barrier wasn't an issue for them and although limited English was spoken, they looked after the children very well and they had a good time. On both occasions, my daughter took ski lessons so she wasn't in childcare for very long each day, though I am sure that both would be fine for all day care if that's what you are looking for.
The good thing about La Rosiere is that you are able to get back to the resort quite quickly (unless you've gone over to La Thuile). In Samoens, its more of a pain. If you are at all worried about being far away from your daughter or want to come back to see her at lunchtime, you will need to factor that into your resort choice.
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Sash, there are loads of resorts where you can get childcare. What other factors will influence your choice? Type of skiing? Type of town? Accommodation? Quality of scenery? Other stuff to do?
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You know it makes sense.
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Budget?
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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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Arlberg Ski School in St anton is pretty well set-up for the little ones - indoor and outdoor play areas (lots of toys to drag them around on skis, as well as a small gently slope to get the hang of the real thing outside, toys/videos/etc inside), it's own mini-restaurant/canteen thing where they eat/get hot chocolate, bobo the rabbit-thing comes around every so often for hugs and to give out sweets. Plus then you guys get the ski the Arlberg 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Chasseur, we're going to be in Eastern Europe for a while and I was looking to go for 1 week to ski somewhere.
Budget is limited, so far it's looking like 4K for 1 week for a family of two + toddler.
If you have suggestions for something reasonable please let me know. You advice is greatly appreciated.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Pam, we haven't been to many places to compare. I loved Zell Am See, was bored to tears in Slovenia. I'm looking for a cheap place, preferably with lots of green slopes, preferably with lots to do for kids and winter activities.
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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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4K for 1 week for a couple plus toddler is loads. I saw a deal for a family of four over Christmas with Espirit to Val d'Isere for 1899 last week for example, including flights, catered accommodation, transfers, and so on. Add on some childcare and lift passes and I would think you'd be around 3K.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
4K for 1 week for a couple plus toddler is loads.
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Agreed. You should have heaps of choice with that budget! Was it the slopes you were bored with in Slovenia, or the more general ambiance? Zell am See is a "proper place" with lots to do other than ski. If that's what you think you'd like, but want to try somewhere different, I'd suggest somewhere like Kitzbuhel in Austria or St Gervais or Megeve in France. I wouldn't advise La Rosiere, or Les Arcs, which are more limited in terms of wider opportunities and are essentially ski stations.
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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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Sash, the places mentioned by pam w are worthy of consideration. La Rosiere, does tick some of the boxes and certainly the town is easy to get back to if you need to return quickly. My experience was in Serre Chevalier, staying at Les Marmottes (their site is at www.hannibals.co.uk) in Chantemerle. Notwithstanding how you mean to travel to a resort, the small town is pleasant to walk around, the local, French daycare is right by the lift system and is in a safe, enclosed area with its own garden where some children can be introduced to the concept of skiing - a small travellator and gentle slope.
There are plenty of things to do in the whole valley and access is very easy either by car or the bus service. The skiing above Chantemerle offers some great beginner runs with uplift/download via the cable car. There are good progressor options once you move off the greens.
The chalet is run by an English lady - Karen. Her husband is an ESF instructor. The cooking is sublime, the chalet extremely tasteful and comfortable - just a 5 minute walk to the village centre/lifts/creche. Additionally, Karen and Denis have 2 older children (college age maybe) so it may be that there could be babysitting (for a fee) options if you and your husband wanted to go out. That is pure speculation, but it might be possible. Karen would certainly be able to assist with the daycare booking and any other assistance as may be required.
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| kieranm wrote: |
| 4K for 1 week for a couple plus toddler is loads. |
Coming from the US it might not be...
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Mr Piehole, it seems they are going to be in Eastern Europe.
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Ah yes. 4k from Eastern Europe looks steep, but depends on flight routes of course...
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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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is it $4k or €4k?
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shoogly, good question!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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shoogly, or even £4k, that's what I tried asking earlier today but our IT dept have blocked posting to forums. There's a few other things to consider - to where can you conveniently get flights, or drive. I'm thinking that from some places, parts of Austria might be only a few hours drive, while from others there might be a limited number of Alice's to which flying would be convenient; there may even be skiing near to where they'll be based in E Europe.
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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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pam w, Having done Kitzbuhel with a toddler on a few occasions, I wouldn't say it offered much to do with kids (aside the pool, which is good, if not a little small during busy weeks), or many easy 'green like' runs. Has been a few years since I was last there though, maybe it's changed?
As far a routing, Munich airport is pretty well linked, both to eastern Europe and the trip back to the US, and isn't a bad drive to many Austrian resorts.
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Haha, I wish it was in €,no, I was hoping to do this trip for $3,000-3500
But so far it doesn't look realistic.
For 1 week:
Plane tickets - $1500 the cheapest (we'll be flying from Moscow, and the tickets run at least 500 a piece for 3)
Hotel - $1000 (if a miracle occurs)
Food - $700 (if we are modest)
Ski passes - $500
Childcare - $300
Plus ski rentals, transfers, etc.
I was told that northern Italy should be cheaper than France and Austria. So I'm looking into that.
It crazy how expensive it is for just 1(!) week.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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| Quote: |
Hotel - $1000 (if a miracle occurs)
Food - $700 (if we are modest)
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Ah yes! Starting from Moscow is obviously going to make the travelling, wherever you go, pretty expensive. So you need to drastically cut costs somewhere, and the obvious way is to rent a small apartment and cater for yourselves, taking just one or two meals out.
I don't think we've established your dates? That makes a HUGE difference to costs. A very pleasant small two-bedroom apartment with good facilities which costs €350 in mid January would cost €1150 or so at New Year or mid February.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Anybody know whether Cervinia has similar facilities for toddlers?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Sash wrote: |
Haha, I wish it was in €,no, I was hoping to do this trip for $3,000-3500
But so far it doesn't look realistic.
For 1 week:
Plane tickets - $1500 the cheapest (we'll be flying from Moscow, and the tickets run at least 500 a piece for 3)
Hotel - $1000 (if a miracle occurs)
Food - $700 (if we are modest)
Ski passes - $500
Childcare - $300
Plus ski rentals, transfers, etc.
I was told that northern Italy should be cheaper than France and Austria. So I'm looking into that.
It crazy how expensive it is for just 1(!) week. |
Not too good on the cut and paste on this machine but try googling Kappl and look at their prices for when you want to go. Child care up the mountain is €12 per day with guest card lift passes are reasonable and accommodation is good as well. The childcare looks excellent but I have no personal experience. I have stayed here and skied up at Ischgl for a few years now and always enjoyed decent quality reasonably priced accommodation.
PS if you doe decide you like it I can suggest reasonable priced ski rental, or at least not horrendous. I have always gothtere flying to Munich and renting a car but there isa train station down the valley with connecting post busses.
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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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Thanks.
Yes, the price of plane tickets are killing this trip. I'm looking into mid January right now, when the prices are a lot cheaper.
We're looking for a place that has a lot of beginner/ intermediate slopes, we haven't skied for a while and need to get back into it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you can get away with saying your little one is 'nearly 3' then the Hotel Alpina in Wagrain will do a week half board in mid Jan for ~$1600 (that only leaves $100 for lunches, which might be tight!). Just an example as I've stayed there, but it suggests it is achievable in your budget.
Also I forgot to mention that Wagrain also have a "Kinderschiwelt" (child ski world) one stop up the gondola which is very good. Very gentle slopes and travelators where even a three year old can have a go on skis, then other play things, like a snow merry-go-round. Most importantly there's a heated indoor play centre with toys, drawing and colouring etc. too.
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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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Sash, there were more than 27 plane loads of Russians from Moscow that landed at Salzburg last Christmas/New Year, bring something like 8000 passengers to ski over the Orthodox Christmas and New Year, so there are direct flights from Moscow to Salzburg. Once in Salzburg there are many options available for any number of ski resorts with an hour's transfer time.
f948lan, There are actually 3 Children's ski Kindergartens at the top of the Graffenberg lifts: Schischule Rot-Weiß-Rot, Skischule Wagrain and Rudi Huber's Schischule. All have dedicated and closed off areas for youngsters.
In St Johann/Alpendorf there are also 3 ski Kindergartens (Schischule Rot-Weiß-Rot, Schischule Toni Gruber and Schischule Alpendorf. There is also a nursery (Mini-Club) that takes children from 18 months in the main gondola base station and is staffed by qualified Kindergarten staff.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ecole de Ski de France runs Club Piou Piou for little kids in most French resorts. They will keep them occupied while parents ski.
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f948lan, that hotel looks soooooo appealing. I'd love to stay there. But it's just too much for us given the ski passes will run around $700.
I'm looking into other options near Saltzburg though. Samoens seems to be a cheaper option.
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Sash, Samoens is nearer Geneva than Salzburg! 
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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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And also most accommodation in Samoens is a bit of a schlep from the slopes, which isn't ideal with a little one. It's an attractive old village, but it wouldn't have the breadth of appeal of somewhere like Zell am See.
What about self-catering accommodation, if hotels are too expensive?
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Sash, I think you will find that in the low season periods at least in the Ski Amadé region that the hotel week prices include ski passes - look for Pauschale Angebote. Most weeks of the season are included in some hotels others just do particular weeks. Children under 6 ski for free with an adult ski pass as well - you will need some form of photo ID for the child including date of birth if they are big for their age or near the cut off date.
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FAQ
