Recruiting for next winter

We have now started our recruitment process for next winter season 2014/15. If you would like more information about jobs available please see our website http://www.snowangelnannies.co.uk/recruitment/

Snow Angel Nannies season 2014/15

So this season is still going but we are already thinking about next season with booking coming in fast!

We will hold last years prices till the end of this season so don't miss out book up fast!

www.snowangelnannies.co.uk

Why Hire A Snow Angel Nanny?

Why hire a nanny at all on a skiing holiday? Surely on a family holiday you want to spend time with your children, not abandon them to the care of strangers! On a skiing holiday however, most people will agree it simply isn't possible to enjoy all the time you want out on the piste AND take care of the kids! You can't take a baby or young child skiing, and even the ones that have reached an age and ability to keep up often tire too quickly to be able to ski with the family all day every day. Many people, particularly those with younger children, find that investing in some form of childcare makes a huge difference and helps make the family holiday a very positive experience. 

There are lots of tour operators that offer crèche's and children's clubs at their hotels, but these can often cause parents as many difficulties as they solve. You are forced to ensure you are back for specific times to pick the children up - meaning you have to stay nearer to home than you might like and constantly check the clock. The club staff often have a large number of children and cannot provide them with much personal attention or cater for their individual likes and dislikes.

Snow Angel Nannies are different!

We are not based in a club or a crèche - we come to you and your children are looked after in the comfort of your own accommodation. 

We are exclusive to you - your children are the only ones that nanny will look after, and the whole time can be arranged around their particular routine, needs and interests. We welcome bookings from 2 or more families travelling together - although depending on the number and age of children, more than one nanny may be recommended. If other nannies in resort have children of similar ages, we are happy to arrange 'play dates'  - so your little ones can make some new friends whilst still benefitting from individual care.

We are flexible - we offer half or full days (as well as babysitting for the evenings) and the hours can be chosen to suit you - so whether you need us to pick the kids up from ski school one day, put them to bed the next, or take care of the baby all day, we can be there for you. 

We are qualified - Our nannies are all experienced, qualified child carers and fully CRB checked. 

We are fun! As well as any favourite activities you or your children would like to request, your nanny will be full of ideas and resources to keep your little one's entertained! From arts and crafts to igloo building to exploring an ice cave, the kids are guaranteed to have a fabulous time! Babies and toddlers will also enjoy personal attention, walks, songs and games.

Take all the stress out of your holiday! Book a Snow Angel Nanny and enjoy your time on the slopes with complete peace of mind.

Snow Angel Nannies are available throughout the season in Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d’Huez, Meribel, Courchevel, La Tania, Tignes, Morzine and Les Gets. Other resorts are available by special request. 

To make a booking or to find out more, please see our website.

Where To Ski With Kids In Alpe d'Huez

Everyone wants to be able to experience the fun of skiing as a family. The kids have come back from ski school dying to show mum, dad and elder siblings that "they can do it too!", and are clamouring for you to take them out! However, many parents are understandably nervous about taking their children out without an instructor. Its difficult to know what they are actually capable of, and no-one wants to end up stuck half way down a run with your terrified child in floods of tears, unable to move! Here's a handy guide to the best ski runs for kids in Alpe d'Huez - and how to know when they are ready for them!

For tiny tots and absolute beginners!

There are two ideal nursery slopes for total beginners in Alpe d'Huez. One is a long, very gentle slope from the bottom of the DMC down to Des Bergers. There is a button lift, or (if you're really stuck) a fleet of free buses to take you back to the top again, and if the going is tough you can always take a break for a spot of sledging at Des Bergers! The other nursery area is on the far side of the DMC. Its a bit of a trek (you might want to consider pulling tiny tots in a sledge) but worth the effort. There's a 'magic carpet' through a tunnel that the kids will love, leading to a gentle and usually very quiet slope with a tiny button lift. This area is great for when they have gained their balance but are still working on control, as its quiet enough and has a large enough flat area at the bottom that its perfectly safe for fearless tots to go straight down. For more nervous beginners, try taking them between your legs (if they are small enough) or let them hold your hand or ski pole so you can slow them down.

Getting the hang of it

Stick to the nursery slopes until you are sure that they have gained some control. But once they can slow themselves down and they have learned to turn, Alpe d'Huez has the perfect playground to practice in! One of the largest beginner areas of any ski resort, the lower slopes of Alpe d'Huez are a maze of green runs certain to keep your family entertained. Steep enough to get the feel for really being on the mountain, but wide enough to inspire confidence, there's oceans of room for the kids to show off all they've learned in ski school, and the rest of the family won't be bored by having to ski the same run over and over again. There's also a choice of button, chair and cabin lifts to access most of the runs, so its less of a trial getting the kids up there and you can also make sure they have plenty of practice on all three types of lift before they start tackling anything more challenging.

Got it under control

Stick to the green area until you are sure they have it under control. Once they are proficient at snow plough and can do as many turns as it takes to get down a steeper slope (without panicking!), you might like to try out some blue runs! Here are a few good ones to try:

• Village - a lovely run down the mountain to Huez village, it is a good choice for a first attempt at a blue as it is not too tricky, and also has the advantage of being very very quiet most of the time. The kids will love the bubble car ride back up to Alpe d'Huez. Avoid after a long period of sunshine however as the slope then becomes extremely slushy.
• Petit Prince - Head up signal to find this nice blue run, also a good choice for a first try as it is very wide. You can then carry on down the chemin du patre to Villard Reculas - this blue is not difficult but is much narrower and with a steep drop to one side, so nervous skiers are recommended to take the button lift back up when you reach the bottom of petit prince.
• Ancolies - Head up the Marmottes 1 chairlift to find this blue and also vachettes, both fairly wide if steep in places. Best avoided at peak times as they can get very crowded.

Building confidence

Now they are getting really confident, starting to parallel turn instead of snow plough, and their nerves can stand a bit more of a gradient, here a few runs to try that are more of a challenge:

• Signal - a good choice for a first red run as its not too long and very wide. 
• Olympique - take the Marmottes 1 chairlift and start down the vachettes blue run, then branch off onto this red run. Its one of the easier reds in resort so another good choice for a first try, especially as you can join back onto vachettes halfway down if it proves too much for them!
• Ski to Oz en Oisans - Take the DMC to the first station. Head to the far right where you'll find the boulevard des lutins, a narrow blue run, branching off from the green. Or if you prefer you can take the steeper but wider red run poutran from the same starting point. At the bottom of these two you have a choice between the l'olmet red run or taking a short button lift up to the champclotury blue run, both of which will take you down to the village of Oz en Oisans. From here you can take the Poutran cabin back to the start, or you can take the L'Alpette cabin lift and continue skiing right over to Vaujany - mostly on blue runs. Its a gorgeous trip, but can be tiring for small legs.

Skiing superstar!

Once they have mastered the red run, they should have very little trouble. Check with their ski instructors where they have been taking them, and if the answers are mostly red runs, you are probably safe to take them almost anywhere! However if they really are advanced and confident - and you feel up to it! - have a try at these:

• The Sarenne - starting from the very top at Pic Blanc and descending all the way down into the Sarenne gorge, this is the longest black run in the Alpes. However its not steep all the way (steepest at the very top) and there are a couple of picnic stopping places to give your legs a rest if need be. 
• La Foret - Head up Signal and start down les vallons blue run. Part way down you will come across a turning on the right onto this challenging black run - great if you're a fan of moguls! There's also a nice restaurant at the bottom if you need some refreshment afterwards!

20 Things To Do With Kids In Alpe d'Huez

1. Ski!     No matter what level different members of your family are at, Alpe d'Huez has something for everyone. Its the perfect place to ski as a family.

2. Get your skates on!     Alpe d'Huez boasts a beautiful ice rink in the centre of town - and everyone with a 6 day or more lift pass gets one visit free! With great music, a seating area for spectators and a helpful range of skating aids for the little ones, all with an incredible view of the surrounding mountains, its a favourite holiday highlight with the whole family.

3. Make a splash!     Forget to bring your swimming things? Never fear, the local outdoor pool has a range of sizes for sale and for rent! So there's nothing to stop you from experiencing the novelty of floating around in this gorgeously warm pool, surrounded by snowy mountains. On sunny days its a suntrap to rival a Mediterranean beach, ensuring that the kids will have as much fun as they do in summer and you'll go home with more than just a goggle tan. Its just as much fun on a snowy day - clouds of steam rise from the hot water and mix with the falling snow, forming a mysterious atmosphere the kids will love, and its an experience that makes a great talking point when you get home! 

4. Make a splash indoors!    If the idea of an outdoor pool in winter is just too big a leap, there is also an indoor swimming pool at the Palais de Sports. Both outdoor and indoor pools offer one free entry to everyone with a ski pass of 6 days or more.

5. Explore the ice cave!     A favourite trip especially with younger children, head up the DMC cabin lift to the second station. If the journey in the lift itself wasn't exciting enough, to the left as you exit the lift you will find the Grotto de Glace - a cave carved out of the snow every year by a handful of talented artists, who transform the place into a wonderland of snow and ice sculptures. This year you are transported millions of years into the past... tiptoe into the depths and lookout for dinosaurs! 

6. Reach for the sky!     How many times in your life do you get to stand on the very summit of a mountain? For most of us, not all that many. So if its a clear day, wrap up well and take the DMC cabin lift all the way to the top - Pic Blanc at 3330 metres. The younger ones will love the journey in the lift, and every member of the family can enjoy the spectacular views from the top - see who can spot Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, first! Don't forget your cameras and you can add some priceless pictures to the family photo album - and they can collect plenty of silly poses for their friends on facebook!

7. Indulge your sweet tooth!     Alpe d'Huez boasts one of the best sweet shops around, Lollipop, a favourite stamping ground with kids aged 1 to 100! Even those strange creatures out there who don't like sweets will love this shop - its full to bursting with novelty items that whizz, bounce, whistle and wobble - even a trip past the window is highly entertaining. You even have two chances to see it - there is one store in the town centre near the ice rink, and one in the shopping centre at Des Bergers.

8. Have a teddy bear tea party!     In the centre of town across the road from the Royal Ours Blanc hotel lies a delightful cafe crammed full of teddy bears! Its a great place to call for a coffee or hot chocolate with young children. They offer special mini-sized drinks for the little ones, who will love to picnic amongst the teddies. The cafe also offers an afternoon tea buffet with a luscious array of cakes and crepes!

9. Bumboard Des Bergers!     Forget sledging at the foot of the piste, dodging irritated skiers! Alpe d'Huez has its own specialist bumboarding area in Des Bergers, opposite the Romains chairlift. A specially created bowl-shaped area, skis are forbidden and with different gradients around its edge its safe for all ages to slide around to their hearts content - although helmets are still highly recommended. If your accommodation doesn't supply toboggans, check out the shopping centre at Des Bergers where a sledge with brakes can be hired for around €6 a day. Bumboards are widely available to buy in resort starting around €3 each.

10. Try out the toboggan run!     As well as the area in Des Bergers, Alpe d'Huez also has a purpose built toboggan run which starts at the first station of the DMC cabin lift and runs parallel to the snow park all the way down. Toboggans must have brakes in order to manage the corners (not provided) bumboards are not allowed, and helmets are strongly recommended. There are no age restrictions but under 6's are advised to stick to the Des Bergers bumboarding area. 

11. Have a blast in the ball pool!    The Palais de Sports' best kept secret, in a corner of the indoor mini golf area lies a small ball pool/soft play area. Its totally free and has a seating area, so its well worth hunting down on a snowy day! Just head downstairs and follow the signs for mini golf. 

12. Challenge the family to a round of golf!    The indoor mini golf course at the Palais de Sports is a great place to have some family fun when the weather is bad, and is very reasonably priced.

13. Tackle the high ropes!    For your more adventurous family members with a head for heights, try your hand at Vertigo, the high ropes obstacle course in the Palais de Sports. Its open from around 3pm in the afternoons and earlier when the weather is bad. Helmets, harnesses and special footwear are provided. Over 6's can go unaccompanied; under 6's must have an adult with them. At €7 its fantastic fun for all ages, and for those who don't care to tackle it, there is a very nice little cafe next door where you can watch (and capture on camera) all their antics.

14. Play giant chess!     Another of the Palais de Sports' free gems, a giant chess set, which lies on the concourse beside the cafe overlooking the mini golf. Older members of the family can challenge each other to a battle of wits, while the younger members can enjoy themselves in their own way with the big plastic pieces!

15. Make a snowman!    No family holiday in the snow is complete without building a snowman, and with usually at least 3 or 4 feet of snow to play with, there's plenty of opportunities! Why not get everyone involved in making the biggest one you can, or split into teams and have a contest! Or why not branch out - make towering snow castles using plastic tumblers or containers, or get down to some serious digging and build yourselves an igloo!

16. Photo Challenge!     Great fun for all ages, arm your youngsters with a camera and give them a list of things they have to have to find and then photograph themselves with!  Perfect for keeping the kids occupied when you want a leisurely stroll around town and a look at the shops. 

17. Jump for joy at the snow park!     For your daredevil youngsters who've got the hang of their skis, the snow park is the perfect playground. With a wide range of small, medium and large jumps, bumps, rails and a mini half pipe, they'll get all the thrills they want! The snow park itself is a green piste in the midst of the beginner area, so most family members should comfortably get down it (whether or not they attempt the jumps) once they have learned to turn. As an added bonus, a photographer stakes out one of the jumps to capture the moment, and the pictures are available to buy at the Photo Breton shop opposite the ice rink. You can even have it immortalised on a t-shirt or mug - quite possibly the coolest holiday souvenir ever!

18. Take a ride over the rooftops!    The gondola lift, more commonly referred to as 'the lobster pots' is not only a very handy (and free) way of getting from one end of resort to the other, but is always a big hit with the little ones! Include a trip in this lift in your explorations, and the kids will love sailing through the air above the town. See if they can spot the swimming pool and the ice rink!

19. Go huskey sledding!     Husky sleds are a common sight in Alpe d'Huez, and a husky sled ride is a fantastic experience for the whole family! Snuggle together under the blankets as you are whipped along in a sled pulled by these beautiful and very excited dogs. Don't forget to shout mush!

20. Ogle the altiport!    Head over to the altiport to have fun with the younger ones spotting small planes, microlights and helicopters. The free ski bus (citron circuit) saves you the trek up the hill and back and also makes a fun trip for the little ones - especially if they get to press the bell!

Still worried about keeping the kids entertained on your family skiing holiday? Why not consider hiring a nanny? Snow Angel Nannies provide high quality, flexible childcare in your own accommodation, with a programme tailored to suit you. We can ensure that while you make the most of your time on the slopes, your children will be having the time of their lives as well! Check out our website.

Looking For A Family Ski Resort? Try Alpe d'Huez!

Looking for the perfect resort for your family skiing holiday? You'd be hard pressed to find a better location than Alpe d'Huez, in the southern French Alps.

The skiing

The first question anyone asks when planning a skiing holiday - is the skiing any good? Alpe d'Huez provides a resounding "yes!" to that question. With 42 green runs, 37 blues, 39 reds and 17 blacks (including the infamous Sarenne, the longest black run in the alps!) skiers at every level are literally spoilt for choice! For tiny tots the local ski schools operate excellent ski gardens where their first nervousness at strapping on skis is easily overcome by skiing to, around and under various fun characters. Once you've found your feet, the huge area of linked green runs is a fabulous playground for beginners. Steep enough to get the feel of being on a real mountain piste, but wide enough to inspire confidence, even the most nervous first-timer is guaranteed to be whizzing down yelling "wheee!" by the end of the week! With a fantastic range of blue, red and black runs also on offer, across a literally huge skiing area, every level of skier can have a blast. And if different members of the family are at different levels - no problem! Most routes offer at least one easier/more challenging choice which then converge at the bottom, so whether you prefer to go slowly and gently or whizz down jumping the moguls, by choosing the level of run that suits each of you best and meeting up at strategic points, you can still enjoy skiing as a family. And if the 250km of pistes aren't enough for you, you can get a bus to neighbouring Les Deux Alpes for the day and give their skiing a whirl too! 

The location

Only 2 hours from Grenoble, its one of the shorter transfers available in the Alps, which makes life easier for those with young children. The route also takes you up the famous 21 hairpin bends much loved by the Tour De France - get the kids to count them on the way up and they will be so occupied they will forget to say "are we there yet?" Alpe d'Huez also has the good fortune to be almost totally south facing, making it one of the sunniest ski resorts around. Its also one of the easiest resorts to get around in. A free gondola lift goes from the old town at the bottom to the foot of the pistes at the top, with a handy stop in the centre of town in the middle, and saves small legs (and the very unfit) from having to trek up the hill. Good flat streets and an armada of free, disabled-friendly buses makes it easy to get around town even with a pram or a wheelchair.

What if we can't ski?

A fairly large place as ski resorts go, any non-skiers in the family will have plenty to explore.  Even in bad weather or (unfortunately it does happen) a lack of snow, there's enough going on in Alpe d'Huez that you will still have a great family holiday. No matter what age your family are, from 0 to 101, there will be plenty to keep you all entertained! 

High quality, flexible childcare

If your tour operator does not provide childcare or you are travelling independently, there are excellent private nannies based in resort. Snow Angel Nannies is a small company providing high quality childcare and a great range of fun activities, tailored to meet your specific needs as a family. Whether you need us to pick the kids up from ski school or take care of the baby, we can ensure that while you make the most of your time on the slopes, your children will be having the time of their lives as well! And if you want a quiet evening to yourselves (or want to sample the excellent night life!) look no further - we offer babysitting services as well. Want to know more? Check out the website.

Toilet roll animals and monsters

It’s been a very busy half term week here in the alps!

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the art work the children have made this week, toilet roll animals and monsters!!

Jenny Jones

Jenny Jones, an amazing lady! watch her story on here!

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/winter-olympics/24733141

Hot air ballooning!

For spectacular views of the mountains, taking to the air is the best way! So why not try hot air ballooning in Meribel!

http://www.merinet.com/activities/winter/hot-air-ballooning-meribel.html

Husky dog ride

If skiing’s not your thing then why not try a husky dog ride instead!

here’s the details for Morzine but husky rides are available across the alps!

http://www.morznet.com/activities/companies/husky-dog-rides-in-morzine.html