Fireworks in Courchevel

Courchevel's fireworks festival THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17th Courchevel 1550 - Snow front 6.45pm : Opening ceremony for the Festival with ESF 1550 7.00pm : Firework competition. Firework artist : BREZAC (France) THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24th Courchevel 1850 - Snow front 6.45pm : Opening ceremony for the Festival with ESF 1850 7.00pm : Firework competition. Firework artist : FABA (Italy) THURSDAY, MARCH 3rd Courchevel 1650 - Snow front 6.30pm : Opening ceremony for the Festival with ESF 1650. 7.00pm : Firework competition Firework artist : MACEDO'S (Portugal) TUESDAY, MARCH 8th Courchevel Le Praz / 1300 7.00pm : Firework competition. Firework artist : Fire Event (Austria) THURSDAY, MARCH 10th Courchevel 1850 - Snow front 7.00pm : Results and prizegiving of the Festival. Last firework of the 2010 Festival. Firework artist : INTERMEDE (France) THE RULES The competition will take place from 17th of February to March 10th 2011. Different evenings are possible if the original evenings are postponed due to bad weather. The festival regroups 4 societies. The music remains the choice of the firework artists. Courchevel imposes which show takes place at which level. The drawing of lots decides which firework artists works where and when. Time given over to the fireworks: between 15 and 17 minutes without any black holes, with different effects. The Jury take the following criteria into account: The overall impression of the show – Pyrotechnic Art: Choice of colours, fireworks, shapes, progression, purity The Pyro-music connection: Music chosen by the artists, diversity, continuity Synchronisation: Use and respect of the imposed time period (no black holes) Use of space

First Snowflakes

The first snowflakes are falling in the UK! The air is filled with children’s laughter, screams of joy and pure excitement.

Far away in the Ski resort of Courchevel, France, is a Buggy Snuggle friend, waiting for the fun to start:

Soon this peaceful winter wonder land with its magical white forests and frozen lakes will change. On the 4th of December those lovely men and women in their black and red uniforms will press the start button to the world of fun we have missed for 7 months; the ski lifts will open!

Within a few days this secret world of fairytales and glittery snowflakes will turn into the most fun, exiting and exhilarating world for skiers and snowboarders. Much like in England now, there will be children’s laughter echoing from the side of our beloved mountains. Parents returning from a hard day of skiing, with panda-like sunburns and wobbly legs are showing off big smiles and rosy cheeks.

But what do the children do with the parents having fun all day?

This is where SnowBugs appear, to colour in your picture. Every morning SnowBugs nannies brave the cold and make their way to chalets all over Courchevel and Meribel. Bags full of toys are placed on the side for indoor playtime in the afternoon. First we need to make sure those big eyes are looking at us, when mum and dad leave. We are wearing colourful uniforms with a cute little SnowBug to get the children’s attention. I have seen the odd crocodile tear, but as soon as mum & dad are out of sight something magical happens: The tears stop and those little feet come tapping over to the nanny. That little person, full of expectations and curiosity is ready to be our friend...! We are very excited and looking forward to another great season introducing children to the fun world of snow and making the parents holiday as care free as possible!

Of course we need to make sure everyone is dressed for the occasion, so make sure your child is equipped with the right winter boots, snow suits, hats and gloves, warm and waterproof is the theme here! You should also bring sunglasses or mini goggles to protect their precious eyes from these strong UV-rays reflecting of the snow. Should you bring your own pushchair, make sure it is nice and warm. If you feel you may need to top up the snuggle factor of your pushchair, you may be able to use one of our fun and clever Buggy Snuggles during your stay in the mountains.

This article is written by Nadine Saar at SnowBugs private nanny service in Courchevel, La Tania and Meribel

Jet stream causes persistent cold weather and snow in Courchevel & Meribel Alps

Hi everybody! So much snow is falling here today. It looks like it will be a great season with more snow on the way.

BBC Weather's Liam Dutton explains how the jet stream is contributing to the prolonged cold weather.

The jet steam (a fast traveling ribbon of air in the upper atmosphere) normally moves East to West. But now the jet stream is taking a north to south track. When this happens, the progression of weather systems happen more slowly, if not at all. This means that this set up could last till next week or longer.

SnowBugs nannies still have some availability for Christmas and year week

SnowBugs looks forward to seeing you this winter!

School holiday dates 2011 and 2012

Christmas and New Year 2010/11	18 December - 5 January 2011
February (spring) half term	19- 27 February 2011
Easter holiday	8 April - 26 April 2011
May (summer) half term	28 May - 3 June 2011
Summer holiday	16 July - 30 August 2011
October (autumn) half term	15 - 23 October 2011
Christmas and New Year 2011/12	23 December - 8 January 2012
February (spring) half term	11 - 19 February 2012
Easter holiday	31 March - 13 April 2012
May (summer) half term	26 May - 3 June 2012
Summer holiday	14 July - 29 August 2012

SnowBugs Social Scene

• http://hubpages.com/hub/SnowBugs-Nanny-Child-Care
• http://delicious.com/snowbugsnannies
• http://digg.com/users/snowbugsnannies
• http://www.facebook.com/pages/SnowBugs-Child-Care-Nanny-Service/127549253933816
• http://www.reddit.com/user/snowbugsnannies
• http://nanny-childcare.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
• http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/snowbugsnannies/?grid
• http://twitter.com/SnowBugsNannies

Childminding in Courchevel or Meribel

Ski resorts have plenty of outdoor activities for kids to offer, which I try to involve in the day with the children as much as possible. For the quiet times at your holiday home, I will bring along toys, stories, music and much more. Meribel / Courchevel Childminding

Child care in the 3 Valleys, france

Being trained in pediatric first aid and experienced looking after children in snowy conditions, I take absolute pleasure in introducing them to the fun world of snow: building snowmen, going for sledging or bum boarding adventures or taking them for a ride in the bubble lift. The happiness of your children is vital for you to enjoy your holiday. This is what Snowbugs are here to achieve, happy children, so the whole family can enjoy a care free holiday!