Skiing when you have a small child (in this case a 17-month-old) IS possible but, like life before children, it is not quite the same.
Of course, at this age, they can’t actually ski so there is no sticking them in ski school whilst you bomb around the piste (the minimum recommended age to get them on skis is 3). Instead, it is a matter of juggling and taking it in turns to look after the little one so you can get a bit of time on the slopes. Here is a rundown of how we did it and the pros and cons of going skiing with a young child in tow.
WHERE?
French Alps – Les Portes Du Soleil resort – Just over one hour from Geneva. Very accessible flight from UK which takes 1 hour 15mins (see here for flying tips). We stayed in a privately owned chalet.
WHO, WHEN, FOR HOW LONG?
We went with four other couples – two of whom had sons aged four months old – in mid January for five days
HOW DID WE SKI?
My husband and I took it in turns. One of us would go in the morning then we would swap after our daughter’s lunchtime nap. Either one of us would come back to the chalet or bring her up the mountain in the gondola (which is really enjoyed going in). We shared one lift pass so cut down on costs.
WHAT DID MRS T DO?
She hung out at the chalet with those not skiing, played with her toys, climbed up and down the stairs, practised her walking and marvelled at the younger babies. She also had a trip into the town and most days she had a ride in the gondola and a slap up mountain lunch (not bad, ay)! The resort where stayed was good at catering for children and would slow the gondola down so we could get on easy with the prams/skis.
WHAT ABOUT THE EVENINGS?
These were a bit trickier. When eating out we ate earlier than normal (around 6pm) and usually straight off the piste in our ski gear. The younger children would sleep in their prams and Mrs T would eat with us. It did mean she stayed up a bit later a couple of nights but it didn’t seem to knock her out of her routine too much. It also meant no late nights out for one of the parents (usually me). One night we cooked up a fondue and for another we got some brilliant chalet chefs to cook us a three course dinner complete with wine – the quality of food you would get in a nice restaurant in the relaxation of the home, knowing the children are safely asleep in bed.
DID IT WORK?
For us, yes, this did work. We didn’t get as much skiing in as normal but made the most of the time we had when we were up there, covering as much of the piste as possible and got to spend time with our daughter too. As this wasn’t our only trip to the mountains, we didn’t mind sacrificing a bit of the skiing. Also, Mrs T is pretty good with other people and seemed to enjoy a short bit of apres ski too. It was during this time she learnt important life skills like doing ‘cheers’ with her sippy cut and had her first experience of pool (mainly a liking to pool
If you are both all-day big skiers and this is your only ski trip of the season then consider getting a nanny, using a local creche (our resort had one) or leaving the children at home. Last year we got a nanny who came from 9-5 which was really good but pricey. If they are looking after more than one child this makes more financial sense. If there is a non-skier in the group, don’t be put off going. There is nothing like being out in the mountain air and, as long as they are wrapped up warmly, children love it.
TIPS
– Go with at least one other couple who have children – good to have others who are in the same boat and understand you can’t go out drinking all night anymore AND can also hang out with each other during the day when one isn’t skiing
– Take it in turns to go skiing
– Go with at least one other person who is the same level skier. If you only have a short amount of time on the mountain you want to cover as much ground as possible and really go for it.
PROS
– We both got to ski with our friends
– Cut down on costs as shared a lift pass
– Got to spend some time together with our daughter and she got lots of attention from our friends and loved being out in the mountains
CONS
– My husband and I didn’t get to ski together at all
– Long dinners in restaurants are a thing of the past – At 17 months old she can no longer sleep for long periods in her pram
– For at least one of the parents, a large apres ski session is out of the question
I remember the days of rarely/never skiing with my husband as one of us looked after a baby and then one of us skiied with the older kid while the other stayed with the younger, but now…many years later we can all ski together! Yay! It was worth it. There are some great tips here, and I totally agree that just to go to a ski resort and breath the mountain air, walk in the snow and enjoy the scenery is well worth it. Thanks for linking up with #AllAboutFrance, I hope you’ll be back again next time (5th march!)
Thanks Phoebe and great link up. Looking forward to the days when we can ski all together! In the meantime you can’t beat a bit of mountain air!
I love that you took turns skiing. I have a friend who did that with her husband, and they have found a new love for skiing solo. Skiing is one of the few things we have put on hold since we have had kids as we would rather ski together. But, I have very fond memories of my old stomping grounds near the Portes du Soleil (I lived 4 years just outside of GVA on the French side) and now I miss our old slopes in Les Carroz/Flaine/Morillon!
Love the Portes du Soleil – we go there lots. Lucky you to have lived so close. It is such a besutiful area – in Summer too. Sometimes the Grandparents come along too so we have in-house sitters which we use to go together – which is always more fun. X
My husband and boys have just got back from a holiday skiing in Portes du Soleil having had a great time (and I got 10 days at home without anyone hassling me!)