Off to France on Friday. Will my 8 year olds need thermals?

[sandyballs]

Just wondering exactly how cold it is at the mo out there, has anyone been recently? My 8 year old DDs haven't been ski-ing before, they have proper jackets/salopettes but will they need thermals or will a normal fleece and t-shirt do.

17 year old DS just back Serre Chevalier where it was warm last week and he didn't need his thermals - but weather may be different where you are next week.

Also depends how much time they are likley to be standing around waiting for the rest of the ski-school - if they are likely to be in a large group, would be worth it imho

might need all those layers - we've had it really warm in Feb and bitterly cold in April.

We were in Meribel the week before last and there was one day when the temperature was down to -22. It was bitterly cold and/or blizzarding for most of the week. Fortunately we had a full 8 days skiing and the last 3 days were sunny (albeit cold).

So yes, take the thermals!

Yep, you can always take something off.

Oh - and ds is also 8, athough now a proficient skier. He wore long jons under his salopettes, two pairs of socks (next year, I'll try to find silk socks like his parents wear), a thermal long sleeved top, a long sleeved T-shirt and then a rugby shirt below his Trespass ski-jacket. He also had silk inner gloves. The only thing he complained about was cold feet.

You can't ever tell from one week to the next what the weather will be like. Very frustrating - i've been boiling and freezing on hoidays in the same week at the same altitude.

Take whetever you have. If you don't already own thermals though you might find it easier to buy them over there IF you need them.

Millets, m&s do kids thermals, will be cheaper here than in Europe.

I got ds' in M&S too.

Agree with others.....take some just in case. My DS1 is 8 and wore merino base layers (leggings and long-sleeve top) beneath salopettes, cotton roll-neck and his ski-jacket on warmer days, with an extra jumper/fleece on cooler ones. He is a sweaty boy though .

Always better to be slightly too warm and take things off than freezing your bits off on the slopes.

We've just come back and, whilst it was pleasantly warm down in the village at lunchtimes etc.. it was chuffin' chilly going up to the top of the mountain on the chairlift! And zipping along at speed downhill gets nippy around the ears.

Thanks for all your replies, haven't been near a pc for a while! Think I will pop out and get some thermals for them before Friday. Hope shops aren't full of summer gear!

M&S should have some - I've found them at this time of year before.

They should be wearing helmets (and if not, you should hire them), so their ears should be OK.

Have you get fleece "turtlenecks/scarves" for them to protect thier necks? Ds found his very necessary when it got really cold.

Mine wore balaclavas under their helmets - may mean you need to get a larger size, though, depending on the fabric of the balaclava.
(I meant my ears got cold!)

What a fab weekend! Didn't need the thermals in the end as it was so sunny and warm, we were very lucky, but I know that can change pretty quickly so glad we had them just in case.

I was amazed how quickly my girls picked up the skiing. Also amazed at how knackered me and DH felt after just one day of skiing! The last time we went we were only 25, we are now both 40. Don't think I could do a whole week now!

I'd thoroughly recommend the place - Morillon, near Flaine. I think the area is called Grand Massif.