Injured Abroad

I proposed to take my nine year old niece skiing which has been vetoed by my sister.

Now talking to people a big thing was made about wanting to take her outside the UK and that if something were to happen to me she would be on her own

i have emailed a couple of holiday firms asking what would happen, one said they have a team of child specialist who would take care of any problems, but said it is a very extreme situation and in their view unlikely to happen, the other said that such accidents are very rare.

Rang up an insurance company who told me that minor injuries are fairly common in ski resorts major accidents are very rare and are far more common in beach resorts.

However out of interest just wondered if anyone here knows what the process is if I or my niece were to sustained major injuries.

I was going to book through one of the large ski specialist travel agents.

Many thanks

Julie

If something happens to your niece, I'm sure you will cope and look after things.
Should something happen to YOU then in essence your niece is "alone" and dependent upon strangers both for her care and for any care that you need, as the injured party (anything from liaising with medics to packing bags to go home).
Had a very similar scenario with my niece. Brilliant for me as I got three ski holidays funded by my sister at a time when I was broke :thumbup:
The concern was my sister and young daughter holidaying together and potential problems should something have happened to my sister.
Sadly by the time she was 12yo it was deemed that she would cope and my subsidised holidays evaporated.
Your niece will be reliant on the good will of tour operator staff should the hol go pear shaped. I am sure she would "survive" but it could be difficult.
If you do persuade your sister it's all OK - my views; catered chalet/chalet hotel so she knows some staff rather than self-catering or foreign hotel. Label her up with contacts and phone numbers (piece of paper in pocket). Make sure she knows what to do and can get back to the accomodation if you do not appear for any reason.
Splash out on a mobile that works abroad.
Good luck, nieces are wonderful - skiing with mine at Easter; 24yo now, and nearly a Doctor :mrgreen:

OldAndy wrote:Splash out on a mobile that works abroad.

Or I've heard of people taing a walkie-talkie as an alternative. (approx 30 quid from Argos)

Walkie-talkie can be better as sometimes the coverage is not very good in the mountains.

verbier_ski_bum wrote:Walkie-talkie can be better as sometimes the coverage is not very good in the mountains.

But the niece cannot then phone her parents or the tour Rep. etc.

I can understand the concern but it sounds to me a tad over protective, . I think it will be a terrible shame to take away the experience of a ski holiday for a nine year old as I consider it is all part of a child's development and experience.
If I was making the decision the only consideration would be of the person taking responsibility of my daughter.

Thanks for advice, the phone is a good idea if niece goes

Where ae you going Eater OldAndy? wondering if I could go two weeks for Easter.

Easter in Tignes, last week that the lifts to Val D'Isere are open and the glacier for safety should the snow disapear too quickly at the end of the season.