Which buggy to take to snowy Gstaad?

[rubyone]

Can anyone tell me if a medium size city type buggy will do in a ski resort? Or do I need to take my huge Jane three wheeler with the blow-up tyres? I'm just wondering if these resorts are cleared of snow or not? Has anyone experience of going to Gstaad or similar? I'd really prefer to take a small fairly lightweight buggy.

Thanks

i know gstaad - I think you'd probably be best with the Jane. They do clear the snow a bit but if there is new snow around etc you don't want to be sliding around with a city buggy. I think you'd be glad you took the jane even if it is a bit more of a pain to lug on the plane.

I may be there in March.... and I'm taking my Jane not my mclaren!!

Frankly, lightweight buggies are hopeless in slushy or snowy conditions (took our Maclaren to Wengen one year and shouldn't have bothered). Even if they clear the paths and roads in resort it is still likely to be soggy underfoot especially on private roads/drives around hotels etc.(do they ever clear around the door to the ski room, for example.)

A three wheeler functions more effectively and looks better too!!! (snob alert )

How old is your child - if they can walk a reasonable distance (do get them warm, waterproof boots) you may get away with hiring a wooden toboggan to drag them around but only works if they don't fully clear all the side footpaths too and you are not fully relying on it. You can hire a plastic seat to bolt on to it, with waist strap, and use a pushchair footmuff for extra comfort. ds was fine like this at one.

hth

Many thanks for the advice. I will lug my Jane then. You don't happen to know if you have to wrap it up in bubblewrap or stick it in a huge bag (if the latter, any recommendations - do bags come that huge?). Or do you think that baggage handlers are careful enough not to smash it up if put through as is?

Great idea about the seat on sleigh. Do you have to buy them or can you hire them, do you know, in the resort? My son will be 17 months when we go in Jan but he's not walking yet. I assume he will be by then and I'd like to get him some sheepskin boots like the UGGS his parents have. Does anyone know where to get baby/toddler sizes? Perhaps they sell them in Gstaad?

Thanks again!

I would try to protect your Jane airlines are not at all careful with pushchairs. 4 out of 5 friends who've flown in the last 12 months have had their pushchairs damaged.

re: toboggan/seat You can usually hire them from a sports shop (try the branch of Intersport) - you are looking for a Davos sled with Jenny seat. The tourist office probably has a website listing them if you want to book in advance.

You could probably buy boots in resort but they are likely to cost you serious money. Clarks do a thermal lined wellie boot or specialist shops like Snow and Rock do little snow boots, but probably too early to look yet. Make sure whatever footwear you choose is waterproof, warm , fits well and has a flexible but grippy sole.

Word of warning though - our dd was between 15 and 20 months last winter, could walk well but would not walk any distance in snow. She pretty much hated the whole concept! Also bear in mind that it is likely to be cold in January and, as he won't be moving around very much, he may get cold quickly.

Never taken an All Terrain pushchair by air so I'm afraid cannot advise.

Hope this helps,

Oh no, I'm panicking now. Thanks for the advice to you all. But I have visions now of major rejection of snow plus tantrums. Oh well, I've bought my flights and booked the hotel so there's no going back. I shall definitely book one of those sleighs and get some snug, waterproof boots.

Brilliant advice. Thanks!

Don't despair he may love the novelty of it. Bear in mind that our dd had it for around 5 months of the year and probably tired of it. Probably didn't help that her sled overturned in deep snow right at the beginning of the season!

I think the best advice I can offer is to be realistic, keeping excursions short to start with, and to make sure that hands,nose,head and feet are snug and dry - once they go numb they rapidly decide they have had enough. In January (at 16 months) dd would last outside for just under an hour but by March she was happier for longer, due to a mixture of warmer temperatures, her being a bit older and there being less snow on the ground.

Hope you have a great time,

Thanks Lizs, I was about to ask you how long I can keep the boy out. I'm not going to ski - just going for the scenery - so don't need to be out too much. And the place we're staying (the Grand Hotel Park) say they have a playroom with toys so it's more a case of getting a change of scene rather than expecting a normal type of holiday ie. lots of childcare, which I love anyway.

Were you in Gstaad for 5 months, then? Fodors doesn't give it a very good write-up but I chose it because the transfers from Geneva are reasonable and as a non-skier I prefer Switzerland to France (Courchevel 1850 was the other option but didn't like the look of it much.)

Hope Gstaad is picturesque with nice cafes - that's the main thing. And shopping too. Got to shop....

I wish - no, we do live in Switzerland, but near Zurich, and try to travel around especially during the ski season. Fortunately this meant I had the option to stay at home with dd whilst dh took ds to ski lessons. You should be all right if the hotel has a playroom and the area is very pretty although haven't been there in the winter.

I'm sure you'll have a great holiday.

hi, haven't travelled with my jane yet, it is a new purchase for the new babe.
gstaad v pretty, lots of lovely cafes, lots of lovely shops but all very very expensive and glamorous obviously, being one of the most glam resorts. you should have a lovely time.

I feel encouraged now. Very glad my research into Gstaad sounds right. I'm looking forward to it.

The Jane is a great buggy. Particularly for newborns where the pram/car seat bit goes completely flat. Only one on the market like that, apparently - or was when I bought mine last year.

yup, that's why I got mine. I really like it so far! glad to hear you are still happy with it a year later