Skiing in the Alps

pandora205

Two of my three children (now young adults) are very adventurous and have done all sorts over the years, including the younger going for three weeks to Norway with scouts, camping, sleeping under the stars and trekking. My elder daughter now works in ski resorts, having trained as an instructor and now working as ski patrol in New Zealand. Her latest training is in avalanche control - so very adventurous stuff. My younger daughter lives in Athens with her Greek boyfriend and is becoming a fluent speaker.

I've learned over the years that the independence and confidence gained from the challenging activities can't be replicated easily in other ways. I've also noticed that my girls have been much less inclined to drinking and partying than other young people. Of course as parents we do worry about our children which is natural, but they have so much to gain by travel and adventure.

Skiing is a wonderful activity providing physical exercise, excitement, camarderie and breathtaking scenery. Instructors have very demanding training in both skiing and teaching, and are trained to deal with mishaps. Fortunately accidents are rare and most injuries are minor. Most young people have an amazing time and are hooked for life.

pipkin71

ViolaLass wrote: »

That doesn't quite match your first post but I'll let you off since it seems you're letting her go after all.

Aah, but she's not an adult yet, though

I can't stop her when she is an adult, but, like 1000s of parents, I can say no whilst she is a child

You're right though - my head does say that they have to spread their wings, my heart, and that feeling in the pit of my stomach, causes me to worry.

I think I just needed to hear it from others - I don't think I would have started this thread if it was a definite no, she wasn't allowed to go.

I still have that feeling in my stomach but everyone is right, it is a fantastic opportunity. Now, I just need something that will get rid of that dread feeling

pipkin71

olias wrote: »

Skiing is good in Japan too! :D

- as far as lessons go, it depends on the ability of the others going. No point your daughter being way ahead of them if they are complete novices, as she is not going to want to leave them and go off up the mountain on her own. If however, they are all very experienced, then she may want to try and get up to speed with a few trips to a snowdome as she will be frustrated if she is left behind.

Olias

I'm not sure what level of ability the other children will have, so an interesting point.

My daughter has been having lessons separately to this group who will be going.

pipkin71

MrsE wrote: »

I've been skiing in France, I'm NOT a huge fan, but hey I like hot sunny beaches with warm calm seas :-)

For £250.00 its a great experience.

Don't worry about her 99% chance nothing at all will happen & she could quite as easily get run over tomorrow here in the UK. If anything did happen she will have better medical treatment as a tourist using private medical treatment than in the UK under the NHS......

Thank you.

Medical cover is included - it says on the sheet:

Full medical and travel insurance cover with exclusions which I believe are due to medical conditions. My daughter has asthma, and it does say that premiums may be applicable for certain medical conditions so will the premium cover this or do I need to take out any further insurance?

Her asthma has not bothered her for a couple of years so we assumed that it was childhood asthma that she has grown out of but does it still need to be recorded?

MrsE_2

pipkin71 wrote: »

Thank you.

Medical cover is included - it says on the sheet:

Full medical and travel insurance cover with exclusions which I believe are due to medical conditions. My daughter has asthma, and it does say that premiums may be applicable for certain medical conditions so will the premium cover this or do I need to take out any further insurance?

Her asthma has not bothered her for a couple of years so we assumed that it was childhood asthma that she has grown out of but does it still need to be recorded?

My DD grew out of childhood asthma, if your DD is not being medicated then I would say shes grown out of it too. Ask your GP/practice nurse next time your there.

megan01

OP I went on two skiing trips and loved it! She will feel so much freedom, it will teach her how to be responsible for herself for a longer period of time, and how to manage things effectively.

Don't worry about the safety side of things. The ski instructors over there start skiing as soon as they can walk, I remember seeing 4 year olds skiing down slopes with no poles. They are very experienced, know the slopes inside out etc. They will put her in a group according to her ability and won't push her.

With regard to falling off of lifts, there are 3 types. 1 is a button lift. If for whatever reason it stops or she feels like she cant hold on, which is very unlikely all she has to do is fall on her bum to the side and she won't go anywhere. Someone will come up to assist her. Then there are the chair lifts. She has to just stand on a little raised bump and the chair will come around and she just sits in it, it all happens very slowly and she isn't standing on the edge of a big drop or anything. Finally there are the bubble looking lifts, and these normally enter a sheltered building where you stand and wait for one to come around and they again move very slowly and you just hop in, shut the door.

On one of my trips I did have a younger guy ski into me because he wasnt paying attention and skiied into me. In that circumstance if she can it is best to again fall to the side on her bum so her skis dont get stuck in the snow and she twists something, but this is all explained when she is there by the instructors and is a very rare occurence

I will never ever forget the feeling of going very very fast straight down a hill, with all these big beautiful mountains around me, one of the best feelings in the world, she will love it!

Castler

pipkin71 wrote: »

The cost is so cheap because a grant has been secured from the National Lottery in order for 10 children to go.

My daughter really wants to go, even more so because a few of her friends have also been picked for this trip.

The situations where children have died makes me nervous, plus with skiing, there is the potential for accidents and if she were to get hurt, so far from home, I worry.

She does have a lot of freedom - going away for weekends lots of concerts - next one is the slam dunk festival, it's just that it is so far from home.

The positives are that it is an amazing experience, negatives are my worries over it.

Thanks for replies

Why would the national lottery be subsidising skiing holidays?

ViolaLass

Castler wrote: »

Why would the national lottery be subsidising skiing holidays?

Broadening the horizons of children whose families can't afford it?

Castler

megan01 wrote: »

OP I went on two skiing trips and loved it! She will feel so much freedom, it will teach her how to be responsible for herself for a longer period of time, and how to manage things effectively.

Don't worry about the safety side of things. The ski instructors over there start skiing as soon as they can walk, I remember seeing 4 year olds skiing down slopes with no poles. They are very experienced, know the slopes inside out etc. They will put her in a group according to her ability and won't push her.

With regard to falling off of lifts, there are 3 types. 1 is a button lift. If for whatever reason it stops or she feels like she cant hold on, which is very unlikely all she has to do is fall on her bum to the side and she won't go anywhere. Someone will come up to assist her. Then there are the chair lifts. She has to just stand on a little raised bump and the chair will come around and she just sits in it, it all happens very slowly and she isn't standing on the edge of a big drop or anything. Finally there are the bubble looking lifts, and these normally enter a sheltered building where you stand and wait for one to come around and they again move very slowly and you just hop in, shut the door.

On one of my trips I did have a younger guy ski into me because he wasnt paying attention and skiied into me. In that circumstance if she can it is best to again fall to the side on her bum so her skis dont get stuck in the snow and she twists something, but this is all explained when she is there by the instructors and is a very rare occurence

I will never ever forget the feeling of going very very fast straight down a hill, with all these big beautiful mountains around me, one of the best feelings in the world, she will love it!

I think you should explain that a button lift if a drag lift ie you are dragged up the mounting whilst remaining on your skis which are on the ground.

One of the chair lifts I went on was pretty scary there was long drop to the ground a drop which would certainly kill you and the seats were pretty open and did not leave you feeling secure, the instructor only took us on that run once, I can see why, nobody else was on that slope, indeed it is the kind of ride people stop talking on as they contemplate what might happen.

Not sure what you mean by bubble lifts, only people who know what they are are will know what you mean so not very helpful.

There are also cable cars used in places also have very long drops , but you feel somewhat more secure.

I prefer to use the drag lifts or chair lifts where the drop is not to high, ie where it is not guaranteed death if you fall.

Castler

ViolaLass wrote: »

Broadening the horizons of children whose families can't afford it?

That would apply to a hell of a lot of families, indeed many would not be able to afford the £250, so it is not going to the most needy.

Furthermore is from what I have seen children already have a lot of money thrown at them, considerably more than an unemployed adult, who also has to pay gas electric TV telephone water and often get things half price or free on top.