One of the great things about having children is being able to share the things you love with them. POD turns five on Christmas Day and we’ve earmarked 2016 as the year to introduce her to something that between us we’ve enjoyed for over 30 years, skiing.
We’re fully aware it’ll be a very different experience from the ski holidays we’ve enjoyed before, which have been as notable for their off piste activities as on. We’re in no doubt however that it’ll be just as much if not more fun with her! With this in mind I thought back to the start of one particularly memorable ski trip compared with a family holiday in the sun this year.
Saturday 30th December 2000, Honor Oak Park, London.
0500
The alarm clock screams its reveille. It’s 0500, what’s the 0 for? Oh my gosh it’s early! We probably should’ve gone to bed at a reasonable hour but it was Friday night and that means drinks after work. My fiancée hasn’t stirred. I give him a kick.
0630
After frantic last minute packing and a mad dash by car we arrive at Gatwick. It’s teeming with holidaymakers, surprise. I’ve had half a cup of coffee and a cigarette. My fiancée weaves our heavily laden trolley towards the check in desks.
We’re going skiing!
0735
The plane is filled with the excited pre-holiday chatter. It’s a short flight, just over an hour and a half. We both get our heads down.
Zermatt, Switzerland, in the shadow of the Matterhorn, 1,620m
1315
Having transferred by bus and then train we’re now at our destination, the fabulous snow covered ski resort of Zermatt. There’s a hum of anticipation coming from all our travelling companions, including the two friends who met us at the airport and will be sharing the experience with us.
My fiancée has disappeared leaving me with two huge Salomon ski holdalls. Thankfully he reappears, brandishing Bratwursts in crusty bread, just in time to load our bags onto the electric car that deposits us at our chalet hotel.
1745
We’ve checked in, hired our skis, poles and boots and have shiny new ski passes. We decide to head out for pre-dinner drinks. As luck would have it the nearest bar is only minutes away. It’s everything you’d expect, wall to wall pine, a roaring fire and enthusiastic bar staff. They’re keen to share their caramel vodka, made on site. The idea is to buy a bottle that can be kept at the bar and consumed over the course of the week. We buy two bottles, one for each couple. An hour later we buy two more.
1930
Dinner is served and includes house wine. The red is pretty good. Food satiated but now fully in holiday mode we head back to the ‘famous’ caramel vodka bar.
New Year’s Eve 2000
0815
After a delicious breakfast of cold meats, boiled eggs, coffee and local bread we’re on the Gornergrat railway up to the slopes. The air is crisp and the sky a brilliant blue. This is the greatest hangover cure in the world. I draw on my cigarette and look out of the window at the stunning scenery.
10 minutes later I’m stamping my boots onto my skis and push off onto the wide and inviting slope ahead. Skiing rocks, what an amazing way to start the year!
2nd May 2015, Guildford, Surrey
0510
My iPhone vibrates on the bedside table. I hear the shower come on and realise my husband’s already up. I cross the landing to our 4 year old daughter’s room and gently nudge her awake.
0540
POD wolfs a bowl of Shreddies and Weetabix whilst we make do with toast and a cup of coffee. Our bags are lined up in the hall ready for the car. POD’s owl backpack has colouring pens, paper and stickers, as well as an iPad pre-loaded with her favorites, Sofia the First and Ben and Holly.
0620
Heathrow’s meet and greet allows up to park the car at Terminal 5 and take the lift up to the check in desks. POD’s balanced on top of our bags on the trolley and is chattering away to the POD Father about all the things she’s going to do on our holiday in Greece.
0755
The plane takes off. POD is in the seat between us and all set with multiple things to entertain her during the 4 hour flight. Sun, sea, tennis and Mini Club beckon.
Levante Beach Resort, Rhodes, Greece
1500
After a short bus transfer we arrive at our resort. My husband retrieves our bags from underneath and we head inside where we’re met with canapés and a choice of apple or orange juice. POD is undecided on her drink of choice and settles on one after the other.
We’re shown to our room and start to unpack POD’s clothes whilst she explores the balcony and ensuite bathroom. She takes the news the TV doesn’t show her programmes surprisingly well and is easily distracted by the promise of new arm bands.
1530
POD choses pink arm-bands resplendent with all the Disney Princesses. Daddy goes through all their names with her, renaming Sleeping Beauty ‘Bernard’ which always gets a laugh.
1700
After more unpacking and exploration, including a visit to the Mini Club where POD will be spending her mornings, we attend the welcome meeting. There’s more to do than we can possibly fit into one week. POD is excited about mini tennis and itching to plunge into any one of the three pools on offer.
It’s going to be a great summer holiday!
This is our entry into the Crystal Ski Holidays Ambassador programme.
Have you seen we have a shiny new travel blog? Check out POD Travels
I have never ski’d on real snow. It didn’t appeal to me when I was younger and fitter. Now, the boys would kill to go skiing. They are both adrenaline junkies
Fab. But which holiday did you prefer?! A tough question, I bet 😉
Fab photos as always, good luck with the ambassador programme!
Great pics – both holidays sound lovely!
PS renaming Sleeping Beauty ‘Bernard’ sounds like an excellent idea 😉
Wow it sounds like you have, had some amazing holidays – best of luck with your application. x
You know I think you’d have as much fun if not more introducing her to skiing. Good luck!
If only the wife would consider skiing, she just absolutely hates the snow.
Wishing you lots of luck with your application and I have my fingers crossed for you x
lol love this Charly … oh how things have changed … hope POD loves Skiing when you finally get to share it with her x
It would be great to see POD on skis. Good luck with your application.
This sounds like a fab opportunity and a great way to introduce POD to something you have long loved! Good luck with it all. x
Good luck with your application, I’ve never skied on real snow and can’t really remember much about the few times I tried on a dry slope
I wouldn’t do the skiing but I would do walking in the snow. I find the snow quite magical (except when trying to get the kids to school in it!).
Sounds like an exciting prospect, wishing you lots of luck!
I’ve never skiied although my mum loved it (having done it as a teen and then on retirement!), and my brother played poker in order to win money for his ski trips each year. Now I don’t think my knees would take it, and I know the OH’s definitely wouldn’t.
Good luck with your entry.
I have skied twice before and both times I was under 16 so missed out on the apres ski. I would so love to take mine skiing – Good Luck xx
Wow what a lovely pictures, looks like you had some amazing holidays. Wishing you lots of luck with your application.
I have never been skiing, am a bit allergic to activity – but love the idea of cabins, open fires and hot chocolate!
Good Luck! I don’t ski – I am safer on two feet! Great post and photos. I bet Pod would love skiing. Kaz x
Some great entries this year, the judges will have a hard time choosing!xx
Fantastic I’d love to go skiing , she’s a sweetie
I’ve never been skiing but my friends rave about how amazing it is. We’ll have to give it a go one of these days! x
Good luck with the competition – we love skiing with our children, such a great family friendly thing to do.