Recommendations for a novice ski-er and 3.5yo and 22mo?

[oif]

DP is pushing for a ski holiday in February. He has skied a lot, and I guess would want to go out most days for a lot of the day.

I have never skied and having very little natural coordination/general physical skill at anything imagine I won't be doing much other than falling over.

We will have a 3.5yo DD, who is used to going to nursery and is fairly outgoing and adaptable, and a 22mo DS who has only had a few weeks being cared for by anyone but me.

DP is looking at Esprit's La Rosiere, and I think suggesting we do half-day childcare for both the kids (DD in snow club/ski school, DS in nursery), and half-day lessons for me.

I think the idea of doing something with kids in childcare is a good one - I have not done anything for/by myself in 3 and a half years really. But I am really nervous about leaving DS alone and I know if he cries a lot I will hate it and struggle to leave him. I also feel uncomfortable that they will be separated - I think if I could leave the two of them together it would feel easier.

Also, as I would only consider putting them in childcare for half days, I would need to know there was stuff to do with them for the other half of the day.

So, do you good mn skiers have any good advice re first-time skiers, childcare that they might be able to do together, and other resorts we might consider?

(Or perhaps I should just tell DP to go skiing for a long weekend by himself?)

Hmm. Doesn't sound like much fun for you. And it's quite late to book now for Feb as a family so expensive. I'd recommend a boys/solo weekend trip for him this year and you can all go next. Then both your DC can do ski school when 3yrs. Would highly recommend going with friends as it sounds like you will be quite lonely and I'm sure your DH would like to do his skiing with a mate too.

I went last year for the first time with a large sociable group and it was still quite hard work, with a DC 21 months and me trying to have lessons. DC loved the snow but got cold and tired quickly. DH was also a bit frustrated with wanting to buzz off skiing. I wouldn't consider it without friends or family in a bigger group. And It's a lot of money to go skiing.

I'm looking forward to 5 yrs time and DH takes them without me and I get to go to Devon or something with the DC in May half term (or Spain in my multiple holiday dreams).

Thanks - I think as I wrote this I realised that was the conclusion I was coming to too, although I have found a couple of places now where nursery takes all under 4s so dc could be together that look quite good. I'll have a talk to DP.

Going in a group sounds ideal although I can't think of anyone at the moment who we could go with sadly.

Last year we booked our childcare with Esprit 9 months ahead and it was nearly book up for the littlies! Go next year. You could always go somewhere with an English ski school like New Generation (google them) - you'll meet lots of people in lessons.

(we never actually went on our well planned holiday due to sickness. Ho hum)

We went to la Rosiere last year with espirit and had a fantastic time. My DS was 2yo at the time. I'm a similar standard (average) to DH so skied together after we dropped off (or he was collected from the chalet) DS for morning childcare and we spent the afternoon together as a family.

We went in March so the weather was nice and sunny most days. There's a little sledging area and mini park with slide next to it which we used a lot. Plus there's a restaurant/bar opposite and it's on the side of the slopes so if DH wanted to head up for a couple more runs while we had a hot chocolate it wasn't a big deal. This place also had some outdoor play equipment (like little tike playhouse) and DS would be happy to make friends and play in this while we had a drink. There was also some st bernard dogs which ds liked to see and a nice floodlit walk through some trees down the other end of town. There was a lot of British families so considering we only went as a party of 3 it felt quite sociable.

We didn't book until a couple of weeks before travel so if you do manage to get a last minute deal, it's still worth considering. If you book ski school through esprit chances are you'll be with others in a similar position and if anything it will make things easier to make friends. All the kids seem to have a blast and make friends very easily. We've been with esprit for the last 2 years and have found that most families go back year after year. In fact we're thinking of doing the same next year with a 1yo and 4yo.

I can recommend Snowbizz. One resort (Puy St Vincent in France) family run. Very good childcare and much cheaper than the big operators.
Phone them and ask lot's of questions. Wendy (if I remember right name) who is on the phone sometimes is wife of chief instructor in the Resort and they run a very tight ship.

We've been twice. It's ski in and out, limited restaurants but food very cheap for Ski area. Popular with the french but they are the only British operator. Very sunny area. Apartments overlook the little ones nursery slope.

thanks for these; my DS would love St Bernard dogs too BNmum And really useful to have that description - play area etc. sounds like it could work well for us.

I haven't come across Snowbizz or New Generation; will look into these too, thanks very much.

No worries oif, I'm pleased to share my experiences. I remember looking at esprit ski on Facebook and they posted some pictures of the snow club/childcare facilities which I liked to have a nose at and made me more comfortable with the childcare aspect. I Forgot to say that the nursery staff give you their mobile number too so you can call to see how your little one is (if you've had a tears at drop off) or arrange an early pick up.

La Rosieres nice for skiing but there's not much to do there apart from ski, its a tiny place.

Val d'isere would be better, more shops. Nice big swimming pool. The Esprit hotel there is nice.