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Original poster

Happy Skiing Thread Part 2!!

437 replies

lovetoskimum · 27/10/2015 11:48

Just what is say's :)

Booked euro tunnel this weekend for March 2016, apartment booked and hotels either side booked, so excited already, any one else want to join in :)

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dontcallmethatyoucunt · 09/12/2015 18:42

There is a dearth of women skiers, that's for sure. I spent years being one of two women on our ski trips. I have managed to find loads more victimssince having kids for someone reason (there have been claims of people being coerced into learning, which I deny Grin)... it might be the idea of a weekend away, kid free that helps my recruitment drive!

A friend is heading off with UCPA as a solo traveller this year as she can't make our trip... great value...

drspouse · 09/12/2015 21:12

Hello!
We're starting to think about our second Esprit booking to Austria. I'm going to have a couple of downhill lessons, but also a day or two cross country, and DC1 (who will just have turned 4) will do lessons as well as Snow Club while DC2 (18 months) will do nursery.
All the kids' kit still fits or we have new stuff to fit except for DC2's snow boots as obviously last year there was no need! What am I looking for, for a new slightly wobbly walker? Size 4, will be looking at secondhand eBay/FB I think, for a single week's wear! We live in a rather, er, wet part of the NW of England Wink and aren't going to get much that we need anything beyond wellies for, at home!

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 10/12/2015 09:12

I'd just stick with wellies myself, thick socks and wellies are what mine have been in every year. I've only gone to snow boots as Finland can be really really cold and there will be snow in resort etc. When we went with Esprit they were out and about a bit, but not masses.

drspouse · 10/12/2015 09:49

They aren't out and about that much and DC2 is not such a confident walker that they won't be using the buggy at all - the only thing is, wellies tend to come off quite a bit at the moment (just falling off rather than being pulled off - I can only assume that confident walkers hold their feet a bit differently?)
I'll definitely get some warmer socks, I thought there were some in the clothes bundles I'd stored from DC1 but thinking about it, DC1 is 2 1/2 years older so it was summer at this age/stage.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 10/12/2015 13:43

I suppose there's a balance between spending a fortune on socks and finding a cheap pair of fluffy boots! If you can find some good stretchy ski socks they do last a couple or more seasons.

puffylovett · 23/12/2015 22:32

Hello everyone, looking forward to Xmas! I wonder how many of you are travelling right now for Xmas skiing...

Just been to the pub with our pals and the talk has all been about what we are going to do when. We get there if there's no snow Sad none at the moment in PSV apparently. I know there's still a few weeks yet, but I'm getting a bit panicky! It's our first family hols in over 5 years, so no pressure Grin

drspouse · 07/01/2016 12:46

Just popping on from a cafe with WiFi, it's lovely in St Anton this week but I'm coming to the conclusion we are totally spoiled with Esprit kids facilities. I would like to investigate alternative resorts for more cross country but it's just really nice to have an adult holiday and know the children are really being cared for, but not have to take them around places, cook for them, or stay near the room in the evenings.
We've had lots of snow this week and I did some downhill lessons, I'm a bit better than I was but still prefer cross country.

kelper · 07/01/2016 12:54

Can i pick some brains please? Ive never been skiing, neither has DS, but we've been invited to go to Austria with some friends of DH.
What do i need to get? Theres not been any proper snow here ever so I don't have any snow clothes, what do you all reccommend are the basics i get for DS and I?
Ive always wanted to try skiing but the steepness of the dry ski slope nearby terrifies me, please tell me real slopes aren't like that?!

drspouse · 07/01/2016 15:28

Well they are kind of, but less scary when you're on them!
I am not the best person to ask but we've kitted out the kids recently and I've added to my ancient kit. If you are planning to ski for a full week you'll probably need:
Base layers (but long sleeved winter running/hiking tops are good, you may have these, and long johns ditto, try Mountain Warehouse). Need a few but maybe you have some already?
Salopettes (I personally wear fleece leggings and sturdy waterproof over trousers but most people prefer salopettes). Try TK Maxx or H&M
Fleece for colder days under your jacket (nothing special, I have one from M&S and one from TK Maxx)
Ski jacket (most people have a special one but I have a workhorse down coat. Proper down mind.)
Gloves - thick, waterproof.
Ski socks - I know these are supposed to be proper knee length socks. Need a few.
Hat - but just one you have already for walking around the resort because you'll almost certainly hire a helmet.
Buff/snood - not a scarf but again try TK Maxx or Mountain Warehouse.
Erm what have I forgotten?

drspouse · 07/01/2016 15:29

Oh yes, hiking boots are fine for walking around in the resort. I am well endowed so I take my sports bra to avoid bounce.

LemonEmmaP · 07/01/2016 15:50

I think the other key thing to add to drspouse's list is a decent pair of ski goggles. There are varying lense types/colours which are supposed to help depending on the weather - personally I have a pair of goggles with a pinkish colour tint as this seems to work well in dull weather, and is still pretty good in the sunshine. Admittedly, I have a pair of sunglasses to use when it's very sunny, largely because it gets so hot in the goggles! I like to buy goggles from a shop as I prefer to try them on, but there are some bargains to be had if you look online.

One other thing I always like to take is a second pair of gloves - that way, I can leave my skiing gloves to dry and have another pair to wear in the evenings. Plus my ski gloves tend to stink so it's nice to have clean gloves! But the second pair can be a regular pair - no need to splash out on a second pair of proper skiing gloves.

We are lucky that we ski with another family and we have all boys between us, so we are able to pass ski clothes along from one child to the next to keep costs down. If you can find someone with a similar sized child to yours, you may be able to borrow some stuff.

kelper · 07/01/2016 15:53

Ooo thank you for the info :)
We've got a huge mountain warehouse nearby, ds loves it there ;)

drspouse · 07/01/2016 17:17

Oh yes I forgot goggles! Actually this holiday I forgot to bring my regular sunglasses for walking around in but at least brought my goggles.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 07/01/2016 18:25

eBay has some good kids gear. It barely gets worn (some of it), so worth a look.

Lip balm, especially for the kids - two with us had split burnt lips last Easter.

We always take a few snacks with us for the kids, super light back pack and a water bottle.

Depending on the age of your DS goggles that won't matter if they get broken (or perhaps it's just my kids that always destroyed stuff).

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 07/01/2016 18:26

If it's going to be sunny, factor 50!

no73 · 07/01/2016 20:39

DS 6 got a reindeer (favourite animal) helmet cover for christmas and has been wandering round the house with it all on including goggles....he wanted to take to school and wear it all to bed!!!

One very excited DS and also me. My friends are getting a bit nervous as not skied in 25 years and one hasn't skied at all however, I can't wait Grin

All inclusive he we come and only 14 days to go!!

drspouse · 10/01/2016 08:54

So we've had a very good week snow wise and I got in some good skiing but DH was ill and only did about a day and a half.
We're wondering about Les Gets, but I'd like to be able to get to other parts of Portes de Soleil by bus (to go to cross country trails). Anyone been and got any advice?

Trickydecision · 10/01/2016 15:27

We are happily ensconced in our hotel in Arc2000 after a very easy journey yesterday. London City is a dinky little airport and the plane we were on was dinky too. Straight through transfer, no time wasting stops and we were in the hotel by 12.30. Check in is officially at 5 but our rooms were ready so we moved in. The younger element went out but we oldies were far too tired after our early start. Our friends who were flying into Geneva arrived late and cross, they hated the long trek at the airport to the transfer bus, then there was some complication on the way, they had to wait and change buses because the driver "is not used to the conditions, he can't drive in snow". Huh? A bus driver in the Alps who won't drive in snow? It wasn't even snowing then.

There is plenty of snow here now, everyone including me went out today, though I did not stay long as I was not keen on the poor visibility.

DH had an 'incident ' on the chairlift; for those who know the area it was the Arcabulle which has pull down plastic covers. Just when they had pulled up the cover as they neared the end, a huge gust of wind blew the chair , tipping it backwards and then it swung the other way and hurled him off. Luckily he did not have too far to fall, he lost a ski and the lift man dashed to help him up. All was well, but they stopped the lift afterwards as the winds were getting so high.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 10/01/2016 19:50

drspouse Les Gets has cross country trails on Mont Chery and you can access the trails in Avoriaz by taking the Super Morzine lift from Morzine as well as taking a bus to Praz de Lys which has the best cross country trails in the area. The bus times are here. Praz de Lys has good hire shops for both traditional and skating and the trails are great. It's quiet and pretty too!!

drspouse · 10/01/2016 19:55

Oh that's lovely to hear anotherday. We are just about to set off home from the airport, wonder how long we'll hold off before booking for next year!

drspouse · 13/01/2016 13:49

OK, so some things we might need for next year/the future are now in the sales... DS will need thermals (DC2 can just wear all of DS' cast offs thankfully), proper ski socks, salopettes and a new jacket. I'm thinking H&M for the salopettes - are they OK quality? They are only £20 so probably no need to wait for the sales. Uniqlo has a load of thermals on special offer so I reckon I can find something there. I want some Uniqlo base layers for myself too, then odds and sods last minute (as usual!) in Next or Mountain Warehouse.

I really want to get him a down jacket (he has plenty of padded coats and I just think down is warmer and there's nothing more miserable than a cold child). New, Lands End has them on sale for £50 but that's still quite a lot for just a few weeks' wear. Am I looking at ebay? Or is there anywhere that's likely to go on sale this spring?

Muchtoomuchtodo · 15/01/2016 12:47

We're off tomorrow!

All very excited but I'm slightly worried about the recent avalanches and the continued risks....

standingonlego · 16/01/2016 08:14

We have picked up really good ski stuff and general base layers in Decathlon. There is a huge one next to ikea at M1 junction 26 near Nottingham, good quality and great value.

standingonlego · 16/01/2016 08:15

We are not skiing until early March...wish it was today!

Provencalroseparadox · 16/01/2016 08:44

We're booked for half term week. Have same apartment as last year in Samoens which is just gorgeous. Friends also going to same spot this year which will be nice. I'm a terrible skier though as am terrified the whole time.