Before You Go
Preparing and packing a few essentials before you leave home will help make the journey and holiday run more smoothly. We’ve put together some advice on what to remember.
Making the Journey Easier
Take Off and Landing
If you're breastfeeding on a plane, try to time feeds to coincide with take-off or landing or both. It will help to relieve the pain in your child's ears (associated with ears "popping"). For older babies and toddlers, beakers of drinks during take-off and landing, or cartons with straws are useful. These can also be a good distraction - particularly if your child does not normally have them.
Snacks
Although you will receive a meal on the plane it is always a good idea to take a few snacks with you. Tried and tested successes include: popcorn, rice cakes, crackers, raw fruit and vegetables. Try to make sure your children do not eat to much as it might make them feel sick when winding up the mountain road to resort!
Nappies
It's worth packing more nappies then you would usually use in your hand luggage, just in case you get held up on your journey to resort. There's nothing worse than a toddler wriggling on your lap in a nappy that's full.
Plastic Bags For All Occasions
Small plastic bags are excellent for storing any soggy left over snacks and for any wet items.
Keeping Them Amused
While you don't want to weigh yourself down with more luggage than you have to, a few well-chosen, small toys could mean the difference between a bored, fractious child and a contented, stimulated little travelling companion(s). Anything light, small and soft are a good idea including cars, storybooks, jigsaw, crayons/colouring books (or alternatively log on to a websites such as www.crayola.com/activitybook where you can print off pages for colouring in), stickers, favourite toy, hand held computer games are always good options. Remember depending on what resort you are going to you can pre-book a toy box to save you packing a suitcase full of toys.
Spare Clothes
If travelling with a baby or small child it's worth packing an extra T-shirt for both in your hand luggage to cope with any accidents during the journey.
Things to Bring
Deciding what to take on holiday and what to leave behind can be a bit tricky for parents, especially if they are new to skiing holidays. This is why, after many tried and tested holidays overseas, we've put together a list of things we recommend that you bring with you:
- Bag – labelled with your child's name (if you child is going to attend any childcare facility)
- Sun cream – Factor 25+ - spray or roll on is particularly good for babies and small children
- Snow suit
- Gloves and hat – not wool
- Sunglasses/goggles
- Ski socks
- Thermal clothing – to be worn under snow suits
- Boots – suitable to be worn outside in the snow
- Indoor shoes/slippers
- Swimsuit or aqua nappies – if applicable
- Nappies and nappy sacs
- Wet wipes
- Cream
- Comforters/favourite toys if required
- Formula milk
- Listening devices – (supplied in Neilson-run hotels and lodges)
- Bibs
- Bottles/Beakers
- Sterilising equipment (supplied in Neilson-run hotels)
- Pushchair/baby carrier
- Disposable/roll up/fold up changing mat – very good for journey to and from resort
- Although nappies, formula, wipes are available to purchase in most resorts, if your child is used to a certain brand we would suggest that you bring your own.
- For hygiene reasons, most swimming pools will ask that children who are not toilet trained use aqua nappies whilst in the swimming pool.
Children's Ski Helmets
We want your family to have fun on our holidays, but we also want you to be safe. That's why we always recommend getting approved, well fitting ski helmets for the kids. Virtually all ski hire shops in resort now offer ski helmets to buy or rent, and some include helmets with the hire of the equipment automatically.
Now that every pro skier and snowboarder is wearing one, they'll be itching to look their heroes!
Tiny Tots Away
We’re happy to recommend Tiny Tots Away, a web based service from which parents can pre order essential holiday items from a huge range of favourite brands. From disposable nappies to formula milk, baby food, bath products, first aid supplies, sun cream and beach toys. All items are delivered to your chosen resort to be there on your arrival and as an exclusive offer Neilson guests receive 10% off all orders. For more information on delivery and prices see Tiny Tots Away.
Pre-bookable Toy Boxes in Selected Neilson Resorts Winter 2008/9
To save you having to pack anything other than your child's favourite toy, we have a selection of toy boxes available for you to hire in several resorts. Simply ask at the time of booking so that it is reserved for your holiday. It will be in your chalet or hotel room when you arrive. Toys are suitable for children between the age of 6 months and 2 years, or 3 to 5 years. Cost of hiring a toy box is £18 per week.
You can pre-book a toy box in selected Neilson properties in Austria, France and Italy.
France
All our Neilson chalets in Les Deux Alpes, France
All our Neilson chalets in Meribel, France
All our Neilson chalets in Tignes, France
Hotel Aalborg, Deux Alpes, France
Austria
Hotel Tyrol, Kitzbühel, Austria