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Ski and snowboarding

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Nervously excited about maybe booking first family ski holiday...

6 replies

headless · 06/01/2010 21:04

It's been a few years since DH and I last had a ski holiday, we absolutely adore skiing, but with a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old, I had assumed that it would be several years before we would all go. However, DH has almost persuaded me to make the most of my maternity leave and go for a week at the beginning of March. So I've been looking on the Esprit website and the child care sounds really good, can anyone give me a bit of a low down on the nursery care? We are considering Belle Plagne. I am a bit nervous about leaving the youngest and going off enjoying myself, will there be other like-minded parents with very young ones? How does the day pan out in reality? Thanks in advance for any responses.

OP posts:
MrLSG · 06/01/2010 22:16

No different than nursery at home. You drop them off first thing in the morning, pick them up last thing in the afternoon. Do you own stuff in-between. Or whatever you desire!

And yes, there will be plenty of other parents doing the same thing.

tulpe · 06/01/2010 22:17

Hi Headless - are you thinking about the Chalet Hotel Des Deux Domaines in Belle Plagne?

We stayed there last year with DCs who were then aged 4 and 8. There was an entire range of ages there - from a few months old to teens. Obviously, the creche only looks after children up to 11 (I think...)

The day runs like this:

Drop DCs at either creche (for tinies) or boot room, all fully dressed up for class, where nannies will collect them. Even if going to creche, you need to take outerwear for them as they get taken for walks, go out to make snowmen etc

They are escorted to ski school, nannies watch the classes and then return to hotel with children.

Children have "supervised lunch" and then return to creche (aka "Snow Club") for indoor or outdoor activities.

High Tea is served for them at 5.30pm. Some parents sit in with this. Others collect at around 6pm.

Am assuming your eldest DC won't be skiing so you will sign both into creche at 9am and then return to collect at 5.30pm/6pm. Unless you only book half day childcare in which case you can collect them at 1.30pm when they have finished their lunch.

I was very nervous about the set up the first time we used Esprit (3 years ago). Was concerned about how the DCs would feel being left, if they would have all needs attended to etc (my youngest was then 3). However, my DCs have generally had a brilliant time (except my eldest DC was a little bored in Snow Club - being one of the eldest at 7 and 8).

We book them in for all childcare options but in reality take them out for most afternoons - even if its just for a quick swim at the hotel pool. I have to say, it is nice to have the option to have an afternoon alone with DH or to myself But I don't think you can select specific days - you need to book for all afternoons or nothing, iirc.

You will find a mix of parents - there will be those who drop and run early enough to be on the first lift, telling their (sometimes screaming) DCs to pull themselves together.......but the majority are just as concerned as you would expect them to be and make an effort to get to know the childcare staff etc.

The creche at Deux Domaines is very nice. Bright and light and the staff last year were fabulous. They also offer a baby listening service - there are 2 nannies per floor who either listen at door or go in room to check on children whilst you have dinner.

greygirl · 07/01/2010 11:34

we've resigned ourselves to half days skiing/half day having fun with little ones to assuage our guilt. that way, when they are older they will want to ski all day...

headless · 07/01/2010 12:01

Thank you so much for your responses, yes it was the Chalet Hotel Des Deux Domaines in Belle Plagne that had caught my eye, not sure if they will have availability but will ring later and find out. Does anyone have any further recommendations if they are fully booked? Not bothered about ski quality, just child care. I (stupidly) hadn't considered the half day skiing option, I feel much happier about that, so looks like we're going to go for it! Bring it on!!

OP posts:
tulpe · 07/01/2010 16:29

Let us know how you get on, Headless. The hotel is lovely

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 08/01/2010 21:56

We're going to Ardent with The Family Ski Company in a couple of weeks - they're certainly worth a look.

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