YOUR FAMILY SKI HOLIDAY 2012

YOUR FAMILY SKI HOLIDAY 2012

Winter ski breaks are fantastic fun. Large groups of friends are obviously going to have a great time, but winter sports holidays are great for families too – always providing the childcare is right. It is so good to get the children started on their skis when they are young, and the whole experience with its fresh mountain air, wonderful views and cheery atmosphere will leave them with lasting happy memories.

Many resorts now offer excellent, reliable, experienced childcare for children of all ages, even those too young to ski, leaving parents free to enjoy the slopes with complete peace of mind. A happy child makes for a happy parent!

Choosing your resort can be challenging. You need to consider the ski terrain, prices, transfers, childcare facilities, après ski, accommodation … France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy – each has its own charms and within each country each resort is different.

This article will focus on France, and on some great resorts which have particular attractions for families seeking good quality reliable childcare. Les Deux ALpes, Alp d’Huez, Meribel, Courcheval, Tignes and La Tania all offer great skiing, with a huge range of chalet, hotel and apartment accommodation on offer. You can choose from an all inclusive hotel, half board, staffed chalet, or self-catering. All have easy access to the slopes, indeed from some accommodation you can ski straight from the door! French food lives up to its reputation and you will be spoilt for choice with so many restaurants to choose from.

Many French resorts offer a range of childcare services. Snow Angel nannies, which operates in the resorts named above, provides an efficient, reliable, friendly service adapted to each family’s specific needs. Their nannies are all qualified, experienced, CRB checked, and trained in first aid. They will look after children from three months of age, coming to your hotel, chalet or apartment in the mornings so that you can get out on the slopes stress free. The nanny will ensure your child or children have a fun time, with lots of activities both inside and also out enjoying the snow. Evening childcare is also offered, enabling you to have a few drinks in peace while your children are tucked up safely in the capable care of the nanny.

If your children are old enough to ski, all of these resorts have a range of ski schools to choose from, all offering private, group or family group lessons. ESF are in all the resorts of course, but there are other choices such as E2, or the European Ski School, and St Christophe in Les Deux ALpes. Alexandra, who runs Snow Angel Nannies, is an instructor with the European Ski Scchool. Your nanny can drop the children off at ski school and be there to meet them after the lesson, and she will make sure they turn up for their lesson with hat, gloves, helmet, etc, relieving you of the hassle factor!