Good morning dear forum members and readers,

it looks like we've go snow! I have decided that this winter will be better than last and go skiing more than 5 times. Dammit, I used to ski more in Switzerland when I didn't live here!

Our todler is now 9 months old and being Finnish and all, I think she is old enough to "ski".

I guess I have the following options:

1. Use some sort of Baby Björn type back pack etc. to take the baby along.
2. Use some sort of sledge solution often seen in Scandinavia.
3. Park the baby into a nursery.

Options 2 and 3 are currently not preferred, since the slopes are too crowded for the sledge and I wouldn't want to take away the joy of "skiing" away from the baby.

So anyone using the back pack sort of thing for skiing? Any experiences and recommendations appreciated. Or am I just dreaming and way too early with all this?

I am using the Baby Björn quite often for walking but in my opinion the same model would not suite skiing.

Cheers,
Pekka

You will find babies in external packs are actually banned on some lifts with good reason after a horrible death of a baby who froze on his father's back some years ago.

Stick to option 3...

The dangers of this whole concept did pass my mind. Therefore I am thinking about starting off from a shorter slope and doing some test runs before even considering going somewhere more alpine. Safety comes first of course.

Letting go of the baby if also one thing to learn. That has to be rehearsed somewhere non-alpine first as well I suppose.

It always sends a chill down my spine when I see people carrying a baby down the slopes on their backs or fronts. All it takes is one out of control beginner or unexpected patch of ice and bye bye baby. I think 2 or 3 is plenty early enough for an infant to experience the joy of skiing. Younger than that and they are just cold in my humble opinion.

Definitely option 3. I wear a helmut while skiing because of flying t-bars, flying out-of-control skiiers or if I hit some ice and fall. Please don't take your baby on the slopes with you. Put him in a nursery where he'll be safe and warm.

There is no way that you should take a baby out skiing with you, there are jus too many variables.

My dad (who was a ski instructor for 40 years) did not dare take me out until I was three and a half.

Also, in general, it is easy to have peace of mind when you put them into childcare, as those guys are generally awesome at what they do.

Apart from the risks of falling and badly hurting your baby there is the real risk of severe wind exposure/cold etc etc. Your baby won't be the one doing the exercise and staying warm. A few years ago a baby in the UK suffocated when on the back of his/her father when they were going for a walk in high winds.

Take it in turns to go skiing with your partner, that way you won't have to put your baby in a nursery if you don't like that idea.

Your baby won't be a baby for much longer anway.

Thanks for the replies, I think this has become clear. Introduce the baby to snow someway other than skiing and go skiing by yourself.

Any place you could recommend with good babycare? Grandmother is about to visit, so we can start with that!

Check out this place http://www.ski-esprit.co.uk/. The ski school I worked for in Austria did a lot of work with these guys and they did a very good job of providing budget ski holidays for families. The Snow Rangers are available to look after and entertain children of all ages from the moment they wake up in the morning till you get back from the pub in the evening. It looks like the only Swiss chalet they have is in Saas Fee. But probably worth a look, and Austria may possibly be cheaper for a family.

Def agree re not taking baby skiing. really bad idea. Am so glad you've reconsidered.

There are hotels (mostly Austria, but some in Switzerland, Italy & Germany) called Kinderhotels that have excellent childcare, and are really child-friendly, ie have eg built in baby baths and all the baby equipment you might need so you don't need to lug loads of stuff with you