Getting my Little Brother Started

[John84]

This upcoming season I'm going to start my younger brother (7 1/2 years old) skiing. All throughout last winter he kept asking me about skiing, he followed me into the garage whenever I tuned my skiis, and just showed a general interest in skiing. So last April he told me that he wanted to go skiing with me this upcoming Winter. I was excited that I could finally have someone else in my house to go skiing with. I've got a good deal of money saved up from summer jobs that I can use to get him everything he needs to keep warm, and I'll get him as many lessons as he needs. What I'm looking for is any advice from parents who started their kids skiing, or from kids who remember what their parents did well when they started. Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[Rushski]

Start him off at a smaller area. A big area may intimidate and scare him away.

Also, lessons are a no-brainer for someone his age, the key being to get an instructor that makes it fun. In time any instructor get teach him the way to ski, the key is to get him to enjoy and love it as he learns.

 

[RISkier]

Have no idea how old you are but you sound like a good brother! I don't have children though I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. My only thoughts are to keep it light and fun. Don't push him.

 

[Sky]

RISkier hit it on the head (so did ?...Rushski, lousy bad memory).

Lessons, gentle hill with a DEDICATED beginer area. Most good learning areas offer the Moving Carpet lift for beginers (vs the rope tow).

Keep it fun. He may pick it up right away....he may not. Take a few runs, get some hot chocolate, take some more runs.

Great idea about the clothing. Keep him warm, keep him fed, keep it fun. You'll have a ski pal!

 

[Kerovick]

What's your home mountain?

 

[John84]

What's your home mountain?

I live in Maryland, and do most of my skiing in WV. However, the two resorts there that I frequent don't have much beginner terrain, so I would likely take my brother to one of the Southern Pennsylvania resorts closest to me (Whitetail, Liberty, and Roundtop).

Have no idea how old you are but you sound like a good brother!

I turned 16 in September.

 

[Rushski]

Actually skied once at Roundtop when I was younger. My oldest brother lived down there (Hot Springs, PA? or something like that). Not bad for a smallish area if memory serves me...

 

[BeanoNYC]

Wow, John. I had a feeling you were a bit young, but not in your teens. Quite mature for a kid your age. Good luck, let us know how it goes with your brother.

 

[Paul]

Wow, John. I had a feeling you were a bit young, but not in your teens. Quite mature for a kid your age. Good luck, let us know how it goes with your brother.

Wanted to quote the Beaner to echo his comment, that is very mature. Kudos!

Get him lessons. Trying to teach a family member can be very rewarding, or a complete disaster. Usually the latter. Get him in a good group lesson for his first time or three. He will be too afraid to be honest with you as he will either be working too hard to make you proud, or becoming resentful as you point out things he's doing wrong. Let him gain some confidence by learning with his peers and people of similar ability, and let an impartial instructor help him through the toughest part of learning.
We started my daughter with lessons when she was four. She's six now, and will still be taking lessons, but I didn't even try doing anything with her until she had some experience with others.

Good luck, having someone to share your experiences with makes all the difference.


oh... and GO EAGLES!!!!!:razz:

 

[John84]

Actually skied once at Roundtop when I was younger. My oldest brother lived down there (Hot Springs, PA? or something like that). Not bad for a smallish area if memory serves me...

Yeah, they do have some legit pitch (approaching 30 degrees) for a short vertical of 50 feet or so on the eastern side of the Mountain.



Would you guys suggest private lessons or getting him into a group? It looks like group lessons are going to run me about 30 an hour, and private lessons around 60. Is their really that much of a difference in terms of learning, or is it a individual prefence?

GO EAGLES

Bah humbug.

 

[RISkier]

My view is that I'd try the group lessons rather than private, at least at first. I'd probably try to keep an eye on group size and I might try to get started at someplace somewhat off the beaten track at non-peak times. The initial lessons are pretty formula driven and I just don't see much advantage in private lessons. I also think most place have instructors that are experienced in dealing with children in group ski lessons. I do think if the group size was too large it would be very difficult just to keep the children in the group engaged and on the same page. I also think the group setting has the potential to be more fun cause your brother would likely be learning with others about the same age. And, I've had private/semi private lessons with instructors who are great with adults, but who would be awful with children. So, if you go the private route, I'd definate seek out specific recommendations. I'm also going to speculate that your brother will pick stuff up very quickly; 7 1/2 year old boys tend not to be saddled with the preconceptions and psychological baggage that those of us who start at age 48 tend to have. BTW, I think it's great that your teaching your brother to ski!

 

[Paul]

What RI said....

Totally agree on the group thing. One big advantage of group lessons is the ability to learn from watching others as well as learning directly from the instructor. It also helps to see that others are having the same problems/issues. It builds a sense of camaraderie.