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Original poster

Baby shades question - & other tips for skiing hol with 14m-old?

13 replies

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 28/01/2009 23:43

Hello snowy ladies!

I'm just writing lists etc for our skiing trip in a few days and was wondering about this.
Do you think sunglasses will be needed/useful for our DS, he is 14 months. We will be sharing the childcare with PILs and hoping to manage a few short walks or rides in the gondolas with him so we're not stuck in the chalet the whole time. But I'm sure we wouldn't be out long with him (too cold!), & it might not be sunny anyway, so wasn't sure whether we need to get him some shades in advance, any thoughts?

Also if you have any general tips for looking after/amusing a toddler in a ski resort we'd love to hear them!
I'm a bit worried about finding enough to keep him entertained, as we won't be able to take loads of toys - might buy a few DVDs though as I think the chalet has a player, maybe a few trips to the swimming pool, (short) snow play/sledging, but not sure what else.
Thank you!

OP posts:
PuzzleRocks · 29/01/2009 08:48

Bumping for you.

LIZS · 29/01/2009 08:50

Buy polaroid glasses there and a stretchy band to keep them on !

CaurnieBred · 29/01/2009 09:19

Def have a pair of sunglases for him - esp if there is snow in the resort - it can be very bright 9and even more so if he has blue eyes as they are moredelicate (or so I was told!)).

Go out for hot chocolate in the afternoon - a nice walk to the cafe and a nice walk back and he will be able to people watch. Or go a trip on the ski bus around the resort if there is one - all kids love buses.

Maybe look into the local creche as well. As he is quite young, the language barrier won't be too bad. Some of the creche's let you drop off for morning or afternoon and that would give him a bit more stimulation if he is getting bored around the chalet.

Reesie · 29/01/2009 09:43

I took my dd to Chamonix last year when she was 14 months old, my parents also came. I did get her a pair of sunglasses but she refused to keep them on!!!!

It sounds that there are plently of people around to help you. We pottered around our chalet in the morning and she had plenty of entertaiment from other family members.

After lunch we would go to the slopes where she would have a few sleigh rides and a crawl around the snow! (she started walking a couple of days after we came home). My dh and I took turns ski/snowboarding.

I would recommend making sure that you have a good warm and waterproof snow suit.

I let her have a late nap in the afternoon and she would join us in the restaraunt for a sociable late dinner with all the family.

She'll have a great time just pottering about with all the family giving her attention.

Have a great holiday!!

Original poster
MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 29/01/2009 21:52

Thank you all! Hoping to get him some sunnies tomorrow, as soon as I find somewhere that has them in (hopefully Mothercare will, as already looked in a couple of shops that didn't).

And thanks for the ideas too, I am looking forward to it more now. Am sure we will have lots of hot chocolate trips!

OP posts:
madwomanintheattic · 29/01/2009 21:58

def sunnies.

buy a cheap sledge and drag him along, much easier! and do lots of sliding down hills with him (only little ones lol, not mountains)

dd2 loved to just sit on the snow and pat it.

have a lovely time!

LIZS · 30/01/2009 08:36

You can usually hire a wooden sledge with a baby seat (usually with straps but maybe take a harness/reins in case and take a footmuff with waterproof outer layer) from a skihire shop. ds managed to nap in his ! If he's walking/cruising consider some porper min snowboots as regular wellies don't cut it. Proper mittens, snowsuit and hat a must and suncream/lipsalve. Where are you going, many resorts have outdoor playareas even in snow and drop in creches - perhaps someone has been there before you.

mumof2222222222222222boys · 30/01/2009 14:23

Decathalon do baby sunnies. My DS didn't want to keep them on - until he realised that they stopped his eyes from hurting! Now we have a constant refrain of "Need sunnies, need mummy's sunnies, daddy's sunnies..."

sledging is fun, snowballing (DS2 was just 2), and snowman making...

Supermarkets have pretty cheap, but suitable sledges for about 13 Euro.

Original poster
MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 30/01/2009 23:40

We are going to Tignes (France). There is a baby club but don't think we will use it as it seems a waste of money when there are keen grandparents to help out!

I think I will have to look for sunnies when we get there, been round all the likely shops here and nobody has them at the moment & we are leaving tomorrow so no time to order! We don't have Decathlon near us sadly...

Can't wait to get him on a sledge though, it does sound like fun!

Thanks again!

OP posts:
madwomanintheattic · 01/02/2009 13:34

our problem is the helpful grandparents all ski too lol.

hope you have a lovely time!

elsmummy · 03/02/2009 13:07

I bought my toddler BabyBanz, they are excellent for summer and skiing holidays, and they have a strap that goes around the head.

DebInAustria · 09/02/2009 21:32

I have just posted a photo on my profile of ds3 in his Babybanz today, in our garden. 1st time on and they were great, as it was a really bright day.

Kiwinyc · 11/02/2009 15:46

I got my 2.5yo ski goggles, so she could have the same as her older sister (5) She didn't wear them at all outside but loved wearing them around indoors, pushing them up onto her forehead and back down again... Hopefully they'll see some outdoor action next time but she was happy to wear them since she's able to put them on and off by herself.

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