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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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?

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!

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:
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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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:
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.

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?

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!

Original poster
Jacks35 · 10/12/2023 15:45

I wouldn't - she'd go mad and I wouldn't blame her, plus DH wouldn't let me. Won't lie and say it didn't cross my mind though 😂

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 10/12/2023 15:46

Mine have done several trips like that, in fact DD is on one now.

How old is she?

A couple of phone chargers mean she can stay in touch :-) though the last couple of coaches mine have been on have had seat power.

Youhaveyourhandsfull · 10/12/2023 15:46

You're being ridiculous. All school trips like this are organized by coach, it's the only practical way.

coverp · 10/12/2023 15:47

Coach accidents on trips like this are extremely rare. More common are problems with the coach and follow on issues around drivers and their breaks. My sister was stuck on the side of the road in France for an extra 12 hours one ski trip. The coach is part of the experience. Safety wise I think you're being way OTT - it'll be uncomfortable and unpleasant (for the teachers more than the kids), but character building!

crumpet · 10/12/2023 15:47

Also, even if they flew, the transfer from airport to the resort will be by coach, at least a couple of hours, and it’s that part which has the winding roads up the mountain.

widowtwankywashroom · 10/12/2023 15:48

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)

Your daughter will be mortified!
Where will you stay?
I think it's really inappropriate to even consider this.

Takoneko · 10/12/2023 15:49

I can’t imagine the school would allow her to fly out separately. We wouldn’t at my school. A school residential trip abroad is a logistical nightmare at the best of times and as a trip leader I wouldn’t want to set a precedent for separate travel, which could make things really inconvenient if a few people decided they wanted to do it.

MaterMetella · 10/12/2023 15:49

Flying won't work at all - many ski resorts are hours from the airport. Are you expecting the coach to divert to pick you up? Or are you going to hire a car (with winter tyres) and yourself do a 4-6 hour round trip to the airport /resort?

She'll be absolutely fine on the coach. Have done it myself. Bite size chunks (school - calais/ food and a wonder around ferry/ sleep for first part through France. Before you know it there's only 3/4 hours left....)

She'll be fine and love it :)

skgnome · 10/12/2023 15:49

23 hours in a coach is my idea of hell
but at her age, it’s 23 hours with friends, it’s part of the experience and I’m sure she’ll have fun
it’s as safe as pretty much anything else
accidents do occur, but they are so rare, that’s why we hear about them, they are not going to have a news report: 100 coaches traveled today, they arrived to their destination and the passengers commented “the coach was clean”

Original poster
Jacks35 · 10/12/2023 15:50

😂 rest assured I'm not!

OP posts:
Ragwort · 10/12/2023 15:51

I agree it sounds horrendous but my DS did three ski trips by coach at school and one at Uni (would have done more if Covid had not affected plans) .. he had a great time, loves skiing and the travel was just part of the fun.

Delatron · 10/12/2023 15:54

We did 36 hours from Yorkshire to Austria when I was at school that was quite tricky!

But the kids have fun. DS did the coach to Italy last year. I was worried about him being sick/tired/ not sleeping but not any danger from the coach journey. He had a blast.

contactus · 10/12/2023 15:55

YANBU hence i said no to my DD going on very similar

it is the transfer from the uk and back that put me off both in terms of the utterly appalling length of journey and the mountain roads at the other end no no no!