toddler safety ski trip - overactive imagination

[cheekbyjowl]

Anyone else suffer from an overactive imagination when it comes to safety? We're off to Megeve/St Gervais soon with an 18m old and I've spent the last week imaging 1001 ways I might accidently kill my child in the snow. We are taking my parents and splitting childcare between us. I want it to be a fun trip whilst also being safe. He's 18m so won't want to be indoors all the time. Can anyone help me with these questions...

1. Can you take a buggy on (and indeed off) a cable car (as opposed to chair lift?) Or is it too difficult as it's always moving? I think the main lift might be a gondola

1. Can you usually hire good sleds with a strap as opposed to tray type sleds

1. Do buggies (it's a city jogger) cope on snow? Or is there a better mode of transport

1. Has anyone been to St Gervais/Megeve and come across excellent activities to do with a toddler

1. For times when he's walking - Wellies or snowboots?

1. Any dangers I'm not thinking of? Any fun things I'm not considering? It's a low resort but i'll be aware of altitude sickness, dehydration and will of course take sunscreen/sunglasses for him etc

A cable car and even a gondola are fine , you either fold the pushchair and one of you carry him on or roll him on in it if it isn't crowded. We've also used chairlifts but that can be a bit hairy to get off or if they are wriggly! Not all allow pedestrians anyway bit the operators slow it down for them to get on and off. The sleds usually have a seat with waist strap but not a full harness do take your own with detachable reins/clips if you feel more secure. Snow boots better for grip and insulation but the soles need to be flexible and boots fit well ( we found those with several Velcro straps more comfortable). Don't expect him to tolerate the cold for long though, or the altitude, so plan for time indoors with a few favourite toys. Hth and have good time.

And an all terrain type buggy should be fine as they clear paths.

Thank you Lizs. That's good advice x

Hire a sledge- they're great fun and much more practical than any sort of pushchair. And I wouldn't try and take a toddler up on a gondola or cable car as its so much colder higher up. DS aged 2 had a fantastic holiday being dragged around in a snowsuit and snow boots. He also started skiing aged 3 and my heart almost stopped when we went to collect him and he'd skied off-
ve-ry-slow-ly to the climbing frame where he was crying in frustration as he couldn't get his skis off to climb.

Definitely good snow boots not wellies. Feet and hands can get VERY cold, specially if not actually moving (ie sitting in a sledge). Prob a good idea to check them and give them a run every now and then too.

Give them a RUB not a run...

Agree with everything else and definitely about the sledge. Don't forget some sun glasses for him! Megeve has the family plus label so you should be fine. It also has extortionately expensive horse drawn sleighs with bells jingling that will no doubt intrigue him. I used to live in a tiny village round the corner and Megeve would be the place I would go to for signs of normal life. Good public pool, bowling alley where they used to fill in the side gully and have a kiddy ramp thingy, ice rink with ice hockey matches to watch if he is still awake early evening... Not sure if any of those would be something that you would do but I know my 2 would have enjoyed that bit. It is a beautiful resort so have a lovely time and don't worry, he will enjoy the snow!