Skiing with kiddies....

Should point out their mine...
Harry is 5
Lilly is 3

I would like you'r knowledge on kitting up as we are going over new year for 10 days and it's going to be cold. Some big minus figures with the wind chill.

Going with Esprit to La Rosiere.

Do we need to double up on ski suits, gloves etc... Drying out etc.

What can I realistically expect from a day with them as I don't want to push them too far and they not enjoy it.

Cheers for any advice.

Firstly may I say that you are in for a treat!
So much fun being around tiddly tots as they explore the snow.

My advice,
Lots and lots and lots of kit!
As many hats, pairs of gloves and ski suits as you can beg borrow or steal.
Because,
It's not just skiing!
There is tobogganing to do every day and snow ball fights and snow man building and .....
It's not just skiing.

On the first day there will probably be so much pent up excitement that the kit will be soaked before any formal outing through just throwing snowballs and frollicking around outside the chalet.

Don't overdo things with them, same as at home; I doubt you would expect 8 hours on the beach/in the garden etc without a decent break for either of them.

Esprit have an excellent reputation and I would follow their advice, they have more experience than anyone with just their own kids to introduce to the mountains.

But .....
I would suggest that for yourself (and OH?) that to aproach this as a family holiday rather than a skiing holiday would be sensible. I'm sure you'll get some skiing in but probaby spend more time pushing sledges and drying clothes, gloves, tears etc than skiing.

Do let us know how you get on.

Only thing I would say at this point, is to go for mittens and not gloves at those ages. This comes from experience with friends children. It does not hurt to have two pairs of each.

I would doubt you need to double up on suits, but make sure you take at least few pairs of suitable (thermal really) under garments. Don't forget, it is best to dress in layers, then if you get too warm (which causes sweat and actually makes your clothes wetter than rolling around in snow) it is easier to remove a layer to cool off a bit. Equally, you can always add another garment if you are getting cold.

Biggest tip would to ensure that gloves or mittens are not left just lying around if you stop anywhere for lunch or a drink. I like to tuck mine under my armpits, as this keeps them snug and warm for when I put them on again after.

Edit. UhOh, sounds like OldAndy has more experience with kids than me :( The ones I went with were not that bad, at least I didn't think so.

Mittens :thumbup:
Personally I think 2 sets of snow clothes is essential.
Neither Harry nor Lilly will be enjoyable company after being denied the impromptu snow ball fight before T because their kit is being dried!
Don't forget kids are much closer to the snow than adults and will spend far more time upside down and laying in the stuff than most adults. :lol:

All this comes from the experience of taking care of kids whose incompetent parents were more interested in drinking in the bar than looking after their offspring when staying in the hotels I ran for years in ski resorts.
Oh and taking my own lad and nieces and various hangers on skiing over the years :D

More than happy to bow to your experience on the subject OA, last thing you want is grizzly kids :shock:

What you say makes perfect sense. I guess I am more used to dealing with older children.

Very good advice on the treating it like holiday rather than a ski holiday... Will try. (mental note to cancel family helisking)

H&L are used to travel as we took them for 11 months around europe in a camper an last year. So pretty resilient and full on at the same time but used to warmer climes.

Harry is like a puppy an chews everything, already chewed the thumb out of a Hestra vortex mitt. Any tips for that, other than gaffer tape?

ooooo, what about chair lift exits, do they need a handle welding on?

Cookies72 wrote:
Harry is like a puppy an chews everything, already chewed the thumb out of a Hestra vortex mitt. Any tips for that, other than gaffer tape?

My mother swore by mustard! Worked for me - I now rarely chew my clothes :thumbup:

Cookies72 wrote:
ooooo, what about chair lift exits, do they need a handle welding on?

Neither of yours will be going on chair lifts unescorted. If with ski school etc. the instructor will be putting them on with other adults - one kid on the inside is the norm and then usually the liftie is warned "tiddlies coming up" and is out by the lift to help them off and shove them out of the way to safety.

I must admit to a sense of puzzlement though about the need for a handle on a chair lift exit. Not come across this idea before. Presumably you normally ski in Scotland or some such third world nation where these things are needed?
In France, for example, something called magnetiski is becoming used, where kids wear a vest and are actually magnetically held onto the chair lift for safety so they cannot wriggle around and drop out under the bar.
Great idea :thumbup:
I know a few adults who could benefit - especially after lunch!

Cookies72 wrote:

ooooo, what about chair lift exits, do they need a handle welding on?

I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked by a liftie/instructor to help a small child off the lift at the top so it's obvioulsy just accpeted practice that people help out (no language barriers either).

If you do have any hassles with them then best bet is to ride up with a ski school as the lift people will know they're coming and slow it down accordingly. Better still is only use "detachable" chairs and then unloading is far less of an issue as speeds are much lower