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AIBU?

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Original poster

Ski Trip Anxiety!

62 replies

Jacks35 · 10/12/2023 15:33

First of all, I feel like I already know I'm BU 🙈 - but I can't shake it.

DD is going on a ski trip in Feb to Italy from Essex by coach the ENTIRE way. 23 hrs in total, which we found out last week. When we signed up for a place the details weren't explicit and I just assumed they would be flying and DD was desperate to go. DD of course is still desperate to go and I'm by no means projecting my anxieties btw she doesn't know how I feel - just sitting over here in a corner quietly rocking! Jokes aside, I really am in a mess over it the closer it's getting!

I want her to have an amazing experience, but coach travel frightens the life out of me as you only ever hear the bad. The weather, the drivers, there's so much at play - all before they even get to resort, then it's a new set of worries. The school have been great in reassuring us parents - 3 drivers in total, regular breaks scheduled (hence the duration) but I can't help but worry myself silly.

I suppose I want you all to tell me iabu, that your children have been on ski trips on coaches, were safe & had a wonderful time. Any tips on staying sane for the duration of DD'S trip would also be welcome x

OP posts:
OtterlyMad · 10/12/2023 15:44

YABU. I thought you were going to say you were anxious about your child going skiing (which is fair enough as it’s quite a dangerous sport) and here you are fretting about the bloody coach to get there 😂 You’re not just being unreasonable, you’re being outright ridiculous!

crumpet · 10/12/2023 15:43

Jacks35 · 10/12/2023 15:38

Doesn't it?! I've looked 🙈 it could be done (sicky from work included) it would put my mind at ease but DH I'm overreacting & that DD would be embarrassed (which she probably would)

This is a joke, isn’t it?

turkeyboots · 10/12/2023 15:43

I wouldn't do that length of coach trip now, and I feel sorry for the teachers.

But in 2nd year I went on a French exchange trip to the south of France on a coach from Scotland. we were on the bus for 2 days and 1 night. I still have fond memories of the experience.

It will be fine.

Original poster
Jacks35 · 10/12/2023 15:43

Thank you, I hope he has a ball if he decides to go. I never did a school ski trip so great to hear from someone who has and who travelled by coach x

OP posts:
crumpet · 10/12/2023 15:42

Dd did a couple of school ski trips via coach, plus a Uni trip to Croatia by coach, and back in the day I did at least one ski trip by coach, and an overnighter in South Africa. It’s long, tedious but she’s with a bunch of mates and they will all have fun.

notgettinganyyounger · 10/12/2023 15:42

Oh god, DON'T fly with her! She will never live down the shame. Just let her go, all eill be well

everybluesock · 10/12/2023 15:41

I went from the North East to the alps on a ski trip at school. It was fine. It was (in parts) quite fun.
Stop wrapping your kids in cotton wool for goodness sakes.

BendingSpoons · 10/12/2023 15:40

My brother did it at school and my sister did it as an adult. I hate the idea personally as due to insomnia I probably wouldn't sleep but I wouldn't be too worried other than that. It's a common thing. They will likely be on motorways for most of the route.

Hadenoughbringmechocolate · 10/12/2023 15:40

In the kindest way- what exactly is making you anxious? Travelling by coach?

I have done this myself, both as a child and as an adult, from the UK to European ski resorts, numerous times. The drivers take legally mandated breaks / have specific winter tyres on the coach. Have never felt unsafe in any way; driving was slow in snowy areas and on main roads to reach the resorts.

Once she's at the resort - is there something else that you are worried about? Again I've skied since I was 4 years old, my sibling is a ski instructor (Canadian parent who loves the snow 😁)
Imagine the school are organising ski lessons? It's a sport like any other; all of them come with risks but I would expect the school to be using a reputable ski school, with experienced ski instructors. If she's never skied before she won't get off the baby slopes / very easy runs at the resort. They may also be doing things like tubing or sledding? Again normally done in an area right at the bottom of the slopes, fenced off with lots of snow banks to keep them safely on the slopes.

Appreciate why you may be worried, but honestly she'll very likely have a fantastic time with her friends in the snow!

Original poster
Jacks35 · 10/12/2023 15:38

Doesn't it?! I've looked 🙈 it could be done (sicky from work included) it would put my mind at ease but DH I'm overreacting & that DD would be embarrassed (which she probably would)

OP posts:
queenofthewild · 10/12/2023 15:38

I did exactly this as a child about 30 years ago. The journey was arduous but fine. We napped on and off and there were 2 drivers who shared the driving.

DS has just asked to go on a similar trip. It's the 20th time his school has been, with 3 coaches from the school travelling in convoy. By all accounts the kids love it and the teachers have great patience!

Sunflower8848 · 10/12/2023 15:34

23 hours on a coach sounds like my idea of hell. Could you fly with her on easyJet or something?

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