Activities in Les Gets for toddlers

[Sooperswooper]

Off on a self catering ski trip to Les Gets in the new year with dh, some friends & family, ds who is just over 2 and niece who is just over 3. I've been lucky enough pre ds to ski a lot around the portes du soleil around, so the skiing area I know pretty well & also remember it being very welcoming to children! However, I'm clueless about the options and what to do with children who won't be skiing or in childcare (for at least part of the week). When I say clueless, I know that there is sledging, snowman building and things that i can do with them, but looking for concrete recommendations if possible.

Can anyone suggest some lovely family friendly things for the two dc s to do and where to do it? Thinking of the cable cars up to Avoriaz way. Also any eating/drinking/family friendly places around both up & down the mountain?. I know there is a wellness week on when I'm going, meaning that there are a few organised activities (although not sure the make your own massage oil is quite suitable..)

Also- may be a ridiculous question, but is it worth taking a buggy or just sticking to the deuter backpack?

Thanks!

Yes bring a buggy, especially if it's got big wheels but the Intersport opposite the main lift in the village rents them.

There is ice skating, there will be fireworks, ski instructors doing a torch light descent and last year you could buy paper lanterns to let off on NYE around 6ish, maybe a bit later.

There are activities listed on the en.lesget.com website, snow carving, face painting etc.

There is a pottery painting shop, ice skating rink, you can take the cable car up from the village to a couple of nice restaurants / sledging pistes.

Avoriaz is a bit of a trek / palaver but you could make a day of it and take in a horse ride and Acquariaz pool. Morzine also has horse rides, ice rink and a carousel.

The Crychar in Les Gets is nice for hot chocolate and cakes on the slopes.

Ahh, brilliant. thank you. I wondered where the nearest supermarket is, as we're self catered; would we need a car or are there suitable places in the village? We were originally supposed to drive over so had planned to bring everything, but then plans changed..

Carrefour Montagne in the village. It's Ok, has everything you would need.

Without a car, Avoriaz / Morzine would be difficult to get to if you are not on skis!

Following as off to les gets in feb

Can do a debrief on return for you BNmum if you'd like!

Yes please Sooper! What are you doing about childcare or will friends & family be helping out?

It's great to know that inter sport do buggy hire anotherday. We've always taken our mountain buggy but an extra child, their car seat and the extra paraphernalia means space will be super tight in the car. If we leave buggy we might be able to take our skis

We have used Jack Frosts nanny service for the past three years for flexible childcare and been really happy with them. Gill has provided us with nannies for half days, full days and evenings babysitting as required and we have been very happy with the service. Book early for February!

We're using snowangels nannies - originally ds was going to go into les fripp nursery for the week, but then plans changed (sensing a theme here?!) and we only needed childcare for 4 days so decided to go with them. Yes, anotherday great to know about renting a buggy. Are they expensive? To be honest, we might just take it anyway as we're flying, but would be good to have the option.

Also.. for ski school would you recommend ESF or Ecole 360? It's for two absolute beginner skiers (adults) and one absolute beginner snowboarder (adult). (I decided against teaching dh how to snowboard despite his protestations that it "would be fine" and that it wouldn't lead to a week of not speaking- ha!! It would be a nightmare so I politely declined and have thus been tasked with finding lessons)

I think buggy hire is €35 for a week.

Both ESF and ESi 360 are good and I have had good instructors from both. While most instructors speak English, the lady in the office of ESi 360 is English and they get alot of English clients.

Some people do not like the more French approach of ESF and prefer ESi 360 who do adapt their style to English preferences. They have all seen all types of clients before and most are professional and nice.

ESF tends to be very busy in peak weeks and while they do draft in plenty of instructors to cover, there are more people around at the start of lesson times. Both schools head for the same lifts to start on though.

I don't think the ESF beginner packages of equipment plus pass plus lessons are available in peak season but they are good value if you are going after 4th January.

You are a fount of knowledge anotherday. Really really helpful so thank you! Will book with 360 then if I can.

Can you recommend any local babysitters? Just heard back about some through people doing childcare and it's £60 PER EVENING with another 20 euros for cab fare home. Now, I do need to clarify exactly what an evening is, but I almost had a heart attack! Probably due to the fact that my evening is usually out for 730 and back for 10 at the latest. I was thinking along the lines of 10-12 euros per hour. Happy to stand corrected though.

I have spent a lot of time in Les Gets in the past few years!!

We used Jack Frosts nannies to babysit and as far as I remember they charge €15 per hour. Many of the nannies live in Morzine or the surrounding villages and don't drive so the cab fare is reasonable. Sorry!

My favourite restaurant in the village is La Pela.

Sounds fun sooper, definately a wise decision not to teach dh .

Nom nom antherday! I'm drooling over the menu of La Pela, it looks delicious. Just checked hire prices of buggy & inter sport quoted €28 for the week which is great.

Have you been yet Sooperswopper?