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Ski & snowboarding

Suggestions for good childcare when skiing? Kids will be 1-5yo

15 replies

Backinthebox · 22/02/2012 11:19

We went with Ski Esprit this year and the childcare was great but the chalet was a bit shoddy. I've priced up the Hotel Alba in Meribel with them, as that looks good, but it's about 15% over our budget. We could stretch to it, but I'm wondering if there is anything I am missing out there? Other years have included a holiday with Ski Beat (childcare was good but there were other issues that mean I would not wee on the company if it were on fire, let alone go on holiday with them!) and we have also taken my mum with us on self catering holidays. But I prefer to have someone else do the cooking and tidying away for us when I'm on holiday. We have considered taking our nanny to a chalet with us, but it would be a bit tricky for her to mind 2 toddlers whilst trying to get 2 small kids out to ski lessons - maybe one for when they are a little older?

So are there any other good ski companies at the mid-range of the budget? Any particular chalets or hotels that are good for small kids?

Childcare is at the top of our wish list, we need inside entertainment for a 1 and a 2 yo, and we have a 4 and a 5 yo who will need ski school and entertainment. There are 4 adults who are all strong skiers. We'd like ski-in ski-out if possible, but not essential. Not too far for the kids to walk to ski school.

I'm open to all suggestions!

OP posts:
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imnicehonest · 23/02/2012 10:34

Not used these guys but have them bookmarked for when I do, not a personal recommend but its a start.

www.kinderhotels.co.uk/uk-family-hotels-offers.shtml

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 09/03/2012 21:22

Have a look at Family Ski Company

We haven't been able to fault their childcare over the past 3 years.

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Lisaannb · 09/03/2012 22:57

Family ski every time. We did christmas with them and the whole set up was fabulous and totally flexible if you need them to be Been with esprit 5 times and very hit and miss. As per my own post they have. Ow totally sunk their boat with me due to pricing.

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Tilly28 · 06/09/2012 22:09

Family friendly skiing in La Tania (part of courchevel) is good, went there with family as a child from being 8-17 and then did a season as a nanny for them a few years ago! Lovely chalets, good flexible childcare, and a real personal touch as its a smaller company than some!

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CaurnieBred · 10/09/2012 22:20

The only other one with childcare that we have been with that isn't Esprit or Ski Beat is Le Ski in La Tania. We hghly rated the childcare there: some of the nannies were the same 2 years running and remembered DD. DD loved going into the creche in the afternoons. The chalets themselves are also lovely - see my review for more details.

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UniS · 28/09/2012 20:05

If they are in a resort you want to ski in you cold look at Crystal. We used them last year and the childcare was great.

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hillyhilly · 02/10/2012 18:22

Ski magic in la tania were fantastic, totally faultless, picked them up and dropped them off either with us or on slopes if requested

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MrsCornish · 02/10/2012 22:50

Ski Famille have been outstanding. Pricey but excellent.

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IWishICouldThinkOfAFabName · 18/03/2013 20:27

I agree Ski Magic in La Tania are great. Also Family Friendly skiing in La Tania which someone else mentioned. Both companies are family run companies with about 5 chalets - mid range catered chalets and food has usually been better than Ski Esprit or Mark Warner ( who cost more). Also, try Ski Beat.
Or Ski Adventures in Les Arcs

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trixymalixy · 18/03/2013 20:32

The Crystal childcare is usually pretty good. DS (6) did a Whizzclusive package for the last 2 years that includes ski school. DD had a great time in Pepi penguin last year. This year was a bit of a disaster but that was because she was booked into non Crystal childcare.

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IWishICouldThinkOfAFabName · 02/05/2013 13:19

This year our budget didn't stretch to Ski Esprit, Family Friendly etc as we have to travel in school hols plus our eldest at age 12 is considered an adult by some companies. So all in all skiing as a family has become very expensive ! Instead we self catered in Brides-les-Bains ( a spa town in the 3 Vallees and linked to Meribel) and had a private nanny. If you have 2 or more children ( or can share with another family) this can quite cost effective - £600 for 5 days 8.30am - 4.30pm. The children preferred it and we found it more flexible - when our eldest had had enough but we still wanted to ski we simply phoned our nanny and arranged a meet up point. We also saved a fortune by driving and self catering. Yes, it is lovely to be cooked for every night especially if you have toddlers who still take time to settle to bed but we actually found having to make breakfast or dinner by a certain time surprisingly relaxing.
You do need to self cater properly as you would spend a fortune going out to a restaurant every night. We took a pile of COOK frozen meals with us so only cooked from scratch a couple of nights.
We have booked again for next year ( xmas week) but just having a nanny for 5 afternoons as DD is now old enough for morning ski school.

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BerylStreep · 14/08/2013 21:04

We have stayed with Le Dahu in Morzine for a few years, and would recommend them.

Whilst they are not that close to the lifts, they will drop door to door for both ski school and lifts and will pick up again at the end of the day. There is also a resort bus that stops outside the hotel. The hotel has an excellent childcare service, who collect from ski school.

Kids have a special 7pm sitting, in which all the children go down in their PJs & slippers, then go to the free evening kids club for movies / napping, whilst adults eat in the fantastic restaurant.

It also has a lovely pool / sauna / jacuzzi.

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skilovingmum · 15/08/2013 13:37

do make sure the company you look at is bonded - some aren't and check the staff are properly insured, CRB checked etc. no point in cutting corners with your children.

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DaisyFitz · 15/10/2013 16:09

Esprit in Obergurgl is good. The head of childcare there, Kara, is awesome. I'm led to believe she's there this season too.

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Lissie00 · 02/01/2014 22:53

Happy to share my experience,I can highly recommend Snowfocus in Chatel www.snowfocus.com
This family-run company designed and built Chalet La Sonnaille specifically for the family market.
With a superb in-house nanny service, babies through to young teens are catered for. The nannies look after the children from after breakfast, through to 6pm, allowing you a full day on the slopes yourselves, along with time for some après ski in the village, or a snooze! Transport to and from the slopes is provided and the dedicated ski nanny will often accompany the small group lessons and always meets the children for lunch on the mountain, liasing with hand picked instructors, to ensure the children are happy and checking on their progress to feed back to you.
The dedicated playroom is well equipped for babies and younger children for whom half a day’s skiing is enough. A large private garden ensures plenty of fun activities inside and out.
Only an hour and a half from Geneva, transfers, equipment hire and lift passes are all organized for you, and nothing is too much trouble for Sue and AT the owners. Once the little ones are settled, the evening’s dining is top class cuisine, with great hosting by Sue, At and their carefully selected staff.
The proportion of return visits by guests is testament itself to a great set up.
Mumsnet Best winners season after season, says it all. (That is how we found it!) www.mumsnet.com/travel/top-rated-family-ski-resorts

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