GOING TO SCHEFFAU IN 4 WEEKS, tips please for skiing with LOs

[noonar]

i already posted about skiing in austria...

dh has just booked a last minute holiday with esprit. we are staying at the hotel alpin, (anyone been?)the first week of the season. got a free child place, which was good.

dds are 2 and 4 so am probably mad to even consider this. too late now...am nervously excited about it. at least we have a good family orientated hotel with creche, baby listening, pool etc. (which means there'll be something to do if there's no snow!)

i'd be glad of any tips about what to pack for the girls. plus recommendations on ski wear- where to buy it and what type. (all in one vs salopettes vs separate jacket/trousers) Do we need thermals?

umm, what else...just general tips for a successful holiday with LOs in the snow please.

TIA

My little darlings wear a thermal top plus leggings or tights, a t-shirt, a fleece (not too thick), ski socks (if they are going out to play in the snow), until age of 5 have always worn an all-in-one, snow boots, not wellies they slip and don't keep them warm, hat, scarf or a fleece tube for their necks, skigloves (I agree with taking 2 pairs), goggles for skiing and sunglasses if not. Plenty of high factor suntan lotion. Have fun, it is bound to snow. Take swim stuff if it doesn't. Don't dress them up too tightly with loads of clothes or they'll overheat, won't be able to move easily and then they'll get miserable and then you will too!! Decathlon has some good stuff, not expensive, all the kids here wear it all winter long. If you can borrow it all the better. Have a great holiday.

The balaclavas from Muddy Puddles are great for skiing - keeps them really warm and you just pop a helmet on top. ds2 has worn an all in one for the last two years - at 3 and 4 - and has never had a problem with going to the loo - we just took him before the lesson. But then he does have a bladder like a horse. Mine wear thermal long johns and tops, light fleece tops and ski suits. If it is really cold they have a cotton poloneck under the fleece.

My DH is reading this over my shoulder and is insiting that i post. His mum sent him skiing in tights when he was about 11 or 12 he is convinced this has caused longterm pyschological damage. So a plea from DH do n't put your boys in tights if there is any chance they know what they are wearing.

We have skied in Scheffau every year since the DSs were babies, it's a great place for them to learn. I guess the skiing lessons will be part of your ski Esprit package, but if not then I can really recommend Ingrid Salvenmoser's ski school, office at the bottom of the slopes on the left. Bridget who works for her taught both our 2 to ski and is brilliant, the kids love her, she makes it all fun but does not put up with any b/s. Hope your kids like sausage and chips because that's all they will eat all week. Have fun and I hope you do get some snow! And if there is no snow, get in the car and drive to Wave at Worgl for a day of fun in the water.

Look too at little trekkers here for ski stuff and general outdoor stuff. Hope you get snow. There's loads in Scotland at the moment, apparently!

bugger, wrote long reply to all, then lost it!

thanks for advice. have ordered balaclavers (muudy pudles)and chubes , as reccommended. also, got fab snow boots at millets.

sophy, i'm so glad you liked scheffau.

h and m sold out of ski wear in sizes we need, so am looking at nxt.

littletrekkers have gloves for my 2 yo, which i've have trouble finding, so thanks for the link

got thermal vests, 2 for 2.50 at primark

hurray, the first snow has fallen in scheffau

its still not looking great compared to other resorts, but tis a start. trust me to pick the least snowy resort

sorry to be a bore, but do you all mind if i ask another question re ski wear?

have found some cheap salopettes for dd, but they are rather long. dont want to get a smaller size , as they'll no good next year. now they are not exactly trailing along the ground, but will be rather 'bunched up' once she's got her boots on. does this matter, or should they be the perfect length?
TIA

Over-long legs are find in our experience. Far better that than too short.

oh thats a relief. thanks

If needs be just roll them up

ta. have bought snow suit for dd2 on ebay.

its from m and s and fits perfectly. its padded and prob water resistant, but not as much as proper ski wear. dyou reckon i could use a water proof spray on it?

also...ffs, when is is going to start snowing properly in scheffau..? am starting to panic.

i am gutted. poor dh broke his arm today. am waiting for him to get back from the hospital.

bye bye skking holiday

skiing,i meant, obviously.