1. Know that every child is different; some 2-year olds are more mature than
certain 4 or 5-years olds. If they like to play in the snow and have good
coordination – these are signs they will take to skiing.
2. Take your child to snowmonsters.com to watch the animated video,
sponsored by National Ski Area Association, complete with skiing tigers and
powder pigs.
3. Have a fun downhill dress rehearsal before their first day skiing.
Acquire rental skis and boots from a ski shop, resort, or buy used from a
ski swap to try on and play with inside to familiarize your child before
hitting the slippery slopes.
4. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer (see below DIY Ski instructions) , keep the experience happy, safe and
positive. As soon as the child’s interest wanes, its time for a rewarding
hot cocoa. One run is better than none.
5. Don’t think that you’re not a good parent if you don’t teach them
yourself – the opposite could be true. Ski camps are a
great parenting decision. Today’s ski areas have experienced
instructors and specially designed facilities with a track record of
successfully teaching kids.
6. Call ski resorts in advance or go online to get the details on learn to
ski programs. See our list of the
best family ski
resort in the East and
the top Western Ski
Resorts with family programs. Resorts have all kinds of programs to choose from - privates,
half day or all day camps. Reserve space by phone and confirm what’s
included (i.e.: lunch, equipment), what to bring, location, times, so your
first day is organized. Ask for registration forms in advance to expedite
check in.
7. Ask about special deals or lodging packages that include free or
discounted learn to ski programs. Avoid peak holidays and school vacations
for the best prices, and fewer kids in camp. Smaller areas shouldn’t be
overlooked; Gunstock, for example, offers experienced instruction without
the big mountain premium.
8. Prepare your child for ski camp by explaining the day ahead, let them know they will
be learning to ski like in the video. If you have signed up for ski camp,
explain to your small fry that they will be with other children and a
teacher while mom and dad go skiing until pick up time.
9. Take pictures or observe from afar, but don’t interrupt the ski lesson or
distract your child. Family oriented ski resorts like Waterville Valley have
private observation area for parents to spy on their kids without being
spotted.
10. Be enthusiastic, positive energy is contagious. Conversely, so is
anxiety and fear.
For the Do It Yourselfer:
When our kids were tiny, we started them skiing at home. That’s right. You
can score baby beginner skis & boots at a rental shop or a ski swap. The
first trick is to get your youngster into their gear. We had our son (age 23
months at the time) put on ski boots and skis inside in the carpeted
basement to start. Sounds funny, looks even funnier- but it’s a great way to
familiarize your child with the foreign ski apparatus.
Letting our son tromp around with his skis attached to those clunky ski
boots really helped his coordination. Our daughter loved hats, so putting on
the ski outfit got her excited about the adventure, and would later serve to
distract her from the real weather once we got her outside.
Once
your kids have worn their ski gear inside for a few hours, it’s time to take
it outside. Hopefully the blessing of natural snow will grace your backyard.
Little kids don’t need much of a slope or much space to get the concept of
sliding. In fact, you don’t want a steep slope, or any dangerous hazards so
keep the terrain open and tame.
New England Ski Resorts |Canada |Rockies |Family Ski Resort Guide
