Family skiing: Babies & toddlers

Most resorts have a 'snow garden' on or near the nursery slopes for kids of non-skiing age, allowing them to find their snow-feet in a safe environment. Les Gets in France has a long-established reputation as a family-friendly resort - Les Fripoules has childcare for babies aged 6 months and up. Snowkidz also runs a crèche and a private nanny service resort - also available in Courchevel, Morzine, Méribel and Val d'Isère. Top end hotel operator Powder Byrne runs a créche for babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years in five European resorts, including Zurs, Grindelwald and Zermatt. Thinking outside of the box, Crystal has identified the nappy issue as a luggage problem and organizes supplies in-resort.

A number of privately run nanny services operate in Les Trois Vallées and the Portes du Soleil. Merinannies, in Méribel are well established. Also in the 3 Vallees, Kidsec has private nannies in Méribel and La Tania as well as a playgroup in Méribel Les Allues. Cheeky Monkeys and Jack Frosts, both in Morzine, offer something similar. In general, childcare from 6 months is the norm though in Lake Louise the resort provides childcare for babies as young as 18 days old.

Tips:

The alpine environment is a challenge for young babies and you should protect them from:

·         extremes of cold, even brief exposure

·         intense sun and snow-reflected light (how do you keep those cute sunglasses on your face when you barely have a nose?)

·         altitude – even the base elevation of the higher resorts can be a problem

Additionally, buggies don’t go on snow and ice; use a sling or backpack but don’t even think about skiing with a rugrat on board.

• The basics
• 4-12
• Teenagers
• Top tips