UKC

Hey folks, 
We're off to Val d'Isere with our 18 month old next month. I think he's too young for any kind of ski school (please correct me if I'm wrong) but I would have thought there's some kind of organised snow-based fun for kids his age, but I'm struggling to find anything online. 

Anyone have any info on this? Or tips/experiences from other resorts? Any and all info appreciated - we have no real idea what to expect or what to do with him during the days! 

Thanks,
Conor

Are you going with a ski company as a package? They normally provide some kind of kids club. If not I don't know what would be available. At that age, we had the children in a snow club in our accommodation in the mornings, then in the afternoon we rented a sledge and went out locally to find little hills, or took them swimming. Some days we would all get a cable car up high for a meal / drink without skis.

We're not going with a package so we'll figure it out ourselves - thanks for the tips! 

One thing I remember from taking toddlers out in snow - they get cold really quickly.  Ours enjoyed a bit of being pulled round on a sledge, some snowman building etc, but even when bundled up in warm clothes usually lasted less than 30 minutes at a time outside

I presume you're hoping to ski/snowboard while you're there. There are childminder services at most big resorts i think. Otherwise, alternating one person ski mornings, the other afternoons with a trip to a pool or a playground or a little play in the snow but i agree with others, they get cold super quick and from experience don't necessarily enjoy snow as much as us/bigger kids at that age. I have seen some people takes kids down the mountain in a hiking pac ( Osprey poco style) if you feel confident enough  

Thanks, that's something I was wondering about - whether it's permitted to ski with them on your back. I pretty much never fall when on piste so I'd be happy to do this personally but I'm not sure whether it's tolerated by the resorts/socially frowned upon to do this. 

I guess you falling over is only part of the risk (and the smaller part if you're competent and being cautious), I'd be more concerned about being taken out by someone else out of control. A lot of serious accidents happen this way. 

Not to say you shouldn't do it - but you need to consider that risk rather than just whether you're likely to fall over or not.

Good luck with whatever you decide. 

I’d be more worried that they would just be cold and bored.

There is definitely a crèche....in the complex opposite the gendarmerie before the last? roundabout going towards Le Fornet. Sorry, I forgot the name. They have a play area inside but take the kids out to make igloos etc if the weather's ok. It may cater for slightly older kids  eg 3 or 4 year olds......and I don't know what service an English child would get.

I'd always ask, what benefit would the toddler derive from the papoose trip and what are the risks. 

Can you manage the risks, are there alternative activities with lower risk with equal or greater benefit? 

I can't see the benefits outweighing the risks, myself. Can you live with yourself if some if those risks come to pass as events. 

At the age of group of your child, is a long weekend at home with the grand parents an option? Then you can just have a selfish 3 or 4 days, not worrying about the kid etc.. I think ski holidays are pointless until around at least age 3 or 4, even then it's a half day on snow max, the rest of the time sleeping, pool, soft play etc. 

(Parent of 15 and 17 year old skiers, although admittedly I failed with the eldest as he's now a snow boarder. )