Esprit Meribel - couple of questions!

[Bearwantsmore]

Hi, we're off to Meribel with Esprit in a couple of weeks and I have a couple of questions - I've done a ski holiday with a tiny baby before but to a small chalet so a a bit different. This time we have 2 DCs, one 4 and the other 9 months.

So...
Should we take a buggy for the baby or will a sling/back carrier suffice? The crèche is in the actual hotel so I'm guessing we won't be out and about loads... never been to Meribel before so no idea of the resort set-up. Will a buggy even be usable? Or will I regret not taking it if the baby needs to nap... sorry, I'm very indecisive and would appreciate others' opinions!

Secondly (and very trivial!), do I need to take any smart clothes or does everyone just wear casual clothes in the evening?
Thanks!

[BNmum]

Hi, we went with Espirit to St. Anton last year and took our Mountain buggy. It was a godsend, we found it great for naps in airport and walks around town so if you have similiar i'd take it. We could keep it with us until we reached the gate which was great and if we'd a delay would have proved very handy. We stayed in a chatelhotel and the dress code was casual, i'm not sure if all properties are the same but i'd just take whatever you feel comfortable in. Enjoy! I'm sure you'll have a fab time

[VivaLeBeaver]

I've been with esprit 11 times, never to Meribel though. We only took a buggy the first time and it was a pain, never used it and never took it again. Ime with a young child you don't really take them out apart from maybe on the Saturday and I've just used a sledge then. The rest of the week they're with the nannies all day, tea from 5pm -6pm and then back to the rooms for bath time, etc.

Everyone seems to wear jeans and fairly casual tops for dinner.

[Bearwantsmore]

Brilliant, thanks for that info both of you. Viva, that's kind of what I was thinking - that the baby wouldn't really leave the chalet! Unless he really doesn't take to the crèche and I end up hanging out with him more... but in any case we have a buggy with teeny wheels that wouldn't work in snow/ice anyway. Sling it is. Also good to know that we can minimise packing by not needing smart clothes. I'm already slightly concerned about how we are going to manage with all our luggage, 2 pairs of skis and boots, and 2 children!

Just had a thought though - what about car seat for the baby? Will I need this for the transfer? We'll probably get a taxi to the airport at this end so I'll probably have it anyway which could be a pain...

[VivaLeBeaver]

I've never seen a baby in a car seat on the coach transfer. Everyone just holds babies on their laps. But if you're having it for the taxi this end then you could take it with you. It would certainly be safer to use it on the coach, they all have seat belts.

It would have to go in the hold on the plane I guess as baby won't have a seat on the plane. So you maybe need to ask about whether you'd be charged extra for that.

If you're flying into Geneva you need a euro coin for the trolley at the airport. However it's either a 10p coin or a 2 p coin works as well.....can't remember which now! It's a bit of a walk to the coaches, so get a trolley.

[VivaLeBeaver]

You can normally get two pairs of skis in one ski bag,and if you can get a ski bag with wheels that helps. I find it a nightmare at the airports with just one child and bags and skis. Babies fit quite well in the little handbag compartment in airport trolleys.

If you are flying one from Geneva it's a real pain as you can't take trolleys into the departure gate lounge, there's bollards to stop you. There are esprit people about who will help with bags here. But you'll need to tell/ask them that you need help as otherwise they tend to stand around chatting.

Chamonix you can take the trolleys to the departure gates which is better.

[Bearwantsmore]

Thanks Viva, they are some good tips. It sounds like the car seat will be a bit of a pain so I am going to try to think of a way we can get to the airport without one. I think it will be Geneva but need to check. I need to call Esprit anyway as I need to confirm that we'll be taking our skis. Yes, have a wheeled bag that takes 2 pairs (plus lots of clothes!) so will have that. The challenge will be to take as few clothes etc as possible... just need to convince DH on that one!! Then will have baby in sling/back pack and 4 yr old walking or on trunkie. Phew. Think we're going to be knackered before we even get onto the slopes!

[VivaLeBeaver]

Enjoy your holiday. Meribel is lovely skiing and Esprit are fine. Not luxury holiday but perfectly OK. Childcare has always been good. Chalets are always toasty warm as well. I rememebr the first year we went and dd was a baby I had to go and buy t-shirts for her as I'd only packed warmer jumpers and she was boiling!

[VivaLeBeaver]

And only pay/book one pair of skis and take 2 to save money if they're both in one bag. We've done it every year and they never check in the bag!

[CaurnieBred]

You won't need many clothes for the 4 year old: our just seemed to live in her rollneck top and thermal leggings during the day once she came back from lessons, so maybe an extra pair of bottoms and some tops, plus traveling clothes.