Ski holiday with kids and babies can be really special, but b****y heck they’ve come with a lot of, literal, baggage! We’re often asked if we can provide baby equipment in the chalets, and/or what sort of stuff we can provide to entertain kids in the chalets. We know that this makes packing and travelling a whole lot easier, so we do our best to supply helpful things. This is another reason why we think catered chalet holidays are the best: you can rely on us to provide baby equipment, things to entertain kids, and food to satisfy all ages but, unlike a hotel, you have enough of your own space that the little darlings can make as much noise/mess as you can handle!
In our chalets, we’re happy to provide the following:
- Highchairs and travel cots (we ask you to bring your own cot bedding and sheets)
- Nappies/wipes etc. (our resort team can pre-purchase these on your behalf)
- A selection of baby/toddler toys and books
- A selection of board games and cards
- DVD players and DVDs
- PS4 and game (Chalet Impala)
- Wii and Wii games (Chalet Pied de Voute)
- Table tennis (Chalet Pied de Voute)
- Table football (Chalet Edelweiss)
Screen-time on a ski holiday
Of course, nearly every lucky baby/toddler/child has an iPad now (or is able to get their clammy mitts onto a parents iPhone at least) which entertains them for hours. Additionally, all our chalets have WIFI. However, Ski holiday can be a really good opportunity to break the routine and get away from screens. A whole day on the slopes means it’s just the evenings that need to be filled with off-screen distractions. In addition to the supplies above, we’ve got some further ideas for you below. That said, after long days of tiring skiing, sometimes plonking down in front of the TV or a game is exactly what we all need!Keeping kids entertained in the chalet
If you need more solutions for fun and games in the chalet with kids, we suggest:- Bring comfy clothes like slippers, dressing gowns, trackies – for playing/chilling in the chalet, it’s all they’ll wear. Don’t worry too much about clothes for the outside world – these, remarkably, always seem to stay in the suitcase!
- Pre some popcorn and hot chocolate for a movie night – en famille, or kids-only.
- Run a bubble bath and accessorise with headband, facemask and cucumber slices for a mini spa experience! This is fun on a white-out day too, when you’re stuck inside.
- Get kids to choose and write postcards to school, grandparents, friends etc. See if they’ll ask for the stamp, in the shop, in French: >> “Un timbre s'il vous plait” … aka... “Un tambre sil voo play”
- Some chalet staff will be happy for kids to help them in the kitchen before dinners… some chalet staff think this is their worst nightmare! Make sure you check in with them first.
Playing with kids outside the chalet
Heading back out to play in the snow can be exhausting for parents, but is an energy-sapping god-send if you have kids. Our top tips:- Pack each child two pairs of gloves, if gloves are still soggy from playing in the snow the previous evening, you’ll start the new day with a whinge.
- Invest in a bum sledge/bum board that you can pack in a suitcase. They’re fairly flat and don’t take up too much space. This saves you from purchasing a new one every trip – you’ll pay 10x the price for one in resort. Find one on the internet, or ask chalet if we have any available.
- If kids want their snowman/snowdog/igloo/snowball stash to be around the next day, don’t build said snowman/snowdog/igloo/snowball stash where a snowplough will likely find it! Aka any snow creations on a piste or path will sadly be flattened.