Taking kids (4 & 1 yrs) skiing - Top tips please.....

[Mo2]

We've booked a last minute deal to go skiing end Mar/ early Apr in Kaprun, Austria, but this will be our first ski holiday since we had the kids (aged 4 and 19 m). We've booked nursery and kids club/starting to ski school.

Top tips needed to have the best possible time please!
What clothing combinations do we need for the kids (e.g. will we need to buy Moon Boots etc?)
In a family room - any advice/ experience...?
What should we not leave home without?

Also, I've posted on another thread, but if anyone has any ski gear to fit a size 5 year old (he's 114cm) or a 2 year old (86cm +) please get in touch!!

Mo2
xx

[crystaltips]

Moon boots .... YES
Sunglasses .... YES



Earplugs ( for night time in family room ) .... YES

General stuff about travelling still applies ... cope for every eventuality ... eg: flight delays

Kids Love sledging - make sure the chalet / hotel has one ( or buy one there )

Clothing : Baby ( still in nappies I presume ) : All in one "snowsuit" - no different to the ones you might use at home ....

Clothing : 4Yrs .... top and bottoms - so that they can drop their kecks easily !!

Seriously though .... my DD aged 5/6 often could not hang on for very long and would often leak as she was bursting for the loo .... ski lessons can last 3 hours ...

I would therefore suggest the Night time pull-on pants for some ski lessons ...

Believe me DD was not happy having to ski in wet pants

[Tom]

Easy....

For your 1 yr old

DO NOT TAKE A BUGGY
BUY A TOBOGGAN!!!!!!!!!!!

Dubbed "boggon" by my 2 yr old"....

Beginning of holiday: Terrified of "boggon"

End of holiday: unable to remove child from "boggon" - child screaming "again again, one more time down the hill daddy"

[Tom]

Oh - forgot to add - buy a plastic boggon when you're out there - they're cheap and you don't want to lug it all the way there

[Chandra]

I believe I have a pair of sky trousers suitable for the one year old (unexpected gift from Spanish family who believe we live in the Artic), I will check them out and let you know.

[Chandra]

sorry I meant skI trousers...

[Mo2]

Chandra - brilliant - (but I like the sound of 'Sky' trousers (for the plane perhaps??)

Thanks
Mo2

[LIZS]

Mo2

The only thing I'd worry about with Kaprun is whether there will be snow in the village that late. We went at that time about 10 years ago and the skiing was all on the glacier and the upper parts of Zell am See. The roads in the villlage will be cleared so a buggy would be fine. It is not like a high resort with limited traffic where the roads aren't ploughed as regularly. You could probably hire a wooden toboggan with a seat for the little one from a sports shop if the accommodation/kids club don't have some to borrow.

Take layers for the kids - it could get really warm during the day and they will want to strip off so I'd go for salopettes/fleece/cotton polo necks/jacket combos. May well not need them but long leggings or tights are good for them to wear underneath. Buy little tubes of suncream/lipsalve by Ambre Solaire or Nivea who both do kids formulations so they can reapply during the day (supermarket in resort and sports shops should have them) and have sunglasses for the kids. Tie (waterproof) gloves with elastic and thread through sleeves so they can't get lost. Take swimming gear as there is a good pool complex right in the village centre in case of foul weather or for a change in the afternoon.

hth

[Mo2]

Any more tips out there? what do we do about toys/ entertaining them in the chalet - won't be able to take much on the plane....

Also, have just realised that our room will just have a shower (no bath) so that's going to mess up "bathtime" !

[collision]

I would buy them some new books, sticker books and a couple of little travel games like 'Guess Who?' or Connect 4 (will be great for the older one) and their fave things that they like to sleep with. Crayons and colouring books as well. These will all pack well and keep them occupied. IF you are lucky there might be Satellite and they will be so exhausted they will fall asleep!!!

[SueW]

Get a travel plug (you can buy them at Lakeland) that you can put in the bottom of the shower tray to make a splash bath.

Doesn't work if your accommodation has wet room type shower though.

[LIZS]

dd was happy with her doll, complete with snowsuit and a couple of books/crayons. ds took his Thunderbirds and comic/reading books. Is there a playroom in the Chalet, used for the creche where you could borrow a few toys or they could let off steam after hours? There may be a communal tv and video. Also you may find that there are a couple of bathrooms available to all.

[hatter]

We've just got back from our first ski-ing holiday in three years, with our 3 year old and one year old - and it was the best ever. They loved the snow, adored bum-boarding (sledging on little plastic disks with handles: they cost about £2 and no risk of bashing you if you tumble off) and they thought the creche was fantastic. (so no guilt when we went off ski-ing) Tips: layer their clothing; name everything - good idea to put a mobile tel no on scarves or hats that could get dropped while you're out; remember that you'll need a bag for leaving spare/outdoor clothes at the creche; check out ebay for cheap second-hand stuff - but ask sellers for measurements not ages to make sure you get the right size; amusements - I bought my eldest a "special" note book for her to draw pictures of the holiday, also we were able to borrow lots of stuff from the creche; music was a good source of entertainment - lots of dancing in the chalet; re ski-ing and sledging - remember how quickly they get tired and stop for a hot chocolate break before they do. My eldest could really only manage 10-15 mins mucking about on skis before she wanted to stop but hot choc usually refuelled her. We didn't take a buggy - just a papoose for the littlest one. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time - ski-ing is a wonderful family holiday - you get some time to yourself and some really good fun family time and lots of fresh air. Enjoy.

[hatter]

I forgot: a camera is a must and if you've got one/can borrow one take a video camera - we only got a couple of minutes footage but our little girl's first time on skis is captured forever...

[Chandra]

Hi Mo2, the ski trousers' label says 80cm, would that be OK? they said to be made of nylon but I'm not quite sure about how water-proof they are,let me know if you believe they are suitable

[Mo2]

Chandra
Thanks so much for looking them out. However I think they may be a bit on the small side - DS2 is alredy 86cm and quite a 'chunky' lad, so wearing clothes up to 92cm already.

Thanks for thinkign about us though.
I'm sure you could sell them on eBay - there's loads of stuff on there.

[GillW]

Mo2 - did you get my email?

[yamamoto]

Just returned with 4 and 6 yo from Saas-Fee, top resort for first time children. Skiing with children is nothing like skiing as you knew it, but absolutly the best family holiday you can have. Near military organisation is a miniMUM requirement to survive each morning. Keep pockets full of energy sweet bars, pullups are a good idea for younger kids (can still see the instructers emptying a line of ski boots!) Finish on a good note, sledge and swim later in the afternoon when the sun goes. Have a great time!

[sb34]

Message withdrawn

[LIZS]

yamamoto

We went there last month too. Actually have never had a problem with ds and toilet when skiing despite him not always 100% otherwise. Wonder if we stayed at the same place ? Been there twice so far and already reserved for next year !

[Mo2]

SB34 - re snow boots - any idea what sizes those might be? I think the boys are size 11 and 5.
Sounds about right.....I'd love to borrow them and see if they fit (would save us some dosh, and give me an excuse to come and see you (not that I need an excuse of course )

GillW - yes got your e-mail thankyou - will reply once at home tonight. I'm a bit unsure as to whether salopettes and a jacket might be best for the older one really.

[AQ]

We took our two year old to Val D'Isere in January. We got him fully kitted out at Decathlon - cheap french clothes - moon boots, non wool gloves, goggles, salopettes etc... Meant he could run around in the snow happily. Rented a toboggon from the ski hire place. Also rented a helmet (nursery would not take him out without one). He loved it all.

[GillW]

Mo2 - I think a 25 is about a size 8. But I probably have some size 5 snowboots (she writes desperately trying to remember what size ds's feet were a year ago!). Let me know if you want pics, etc.

[Mo2]

GillW - yes -I think you're right, I think 5 is about a 20/21, so 25's would probably be too big?

If you have got anything, do let me know! I'll reply to your e-mail tonight and then you'll have my direct e-mail address.
Thanks

[yamamoto]

LIZS
We stayed at the Schweizerhof, seemed very popular with the Brits. Booked direct and flew easyjet. Did you try the Hannig toboggan run..!

[GillW]

Mo - the ones I have are like these . Bottom part is moulded rubber, blue bit is suede leather, top is a sort of nylon fabric, and they have removable insulated inners. I'll check the size for you when I get home.