Introducing my 2 year old daughter to skiing this year.

[prophet0426]

I'm looking forward to this year in so many ways. But having my daughter on skis is going to be so much fun and a great experience.

I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for equipment. I was planning on buying a pair of skis for her that strap to snow boots. My thoughts are this would be a good introduction to skiing for her and would allow her to experience how much fun it is without potentially deterring her with an uncomfortable ski boot.

Not sure though so any suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

I had my 18mo daughter out last winter on the plastic set up...first in the yard, then on the hill...the plastic set up is a little flimsy, straps keep coming undone, etc...but her feet weren't big enough for a kiddie ski boot...Nordica has the Nordy that starts at 15.0...about a 6/7 kids size...so the plastic was our only option. This year she'll be in the Nordy (very comfy, one buckle, very soft shell) on a pair of 70cm skis. I've got the tip locks, harness/leash, and the lifting handle on her back. The handle is key...its like the re-set button and makes it easy to get her on the lift. She's bigger and stronger this year so I think she'll be ready for the "real" set up...she's a couple months past two now. See what you can find at swaps or if your local shop offers a jr lease program. Have fun!

 

[ERJ-145CA]

My son is 4 now, the first time he was on skis was when he had just turned 3. We were at Bromley for a few days and had him enrolled in the day care where they take them out skiing a couple of times during the day. We rented boots and skis at the mountain and I found that the boots they have for the kids look pretty comfortable. The were single buckle rear entry boots. He didn't mind wearing them at all, he seemed to have fun walking around in them like a robot. In a couple of weeks we are going to lease skis for him for the season at the local ski shop, he's growing pretty fast so I don't think it is worth buying skis.

 

[Greg]

Personally, I feel kids under 3 are too young to get all that much out of it. Most real ski equipment is not suitable for kids under 30 lbs., which your daughter may or may not be over. My oldest certainly wasn't and my youngest probably won't be either when she turns 2. With that said, if she is under 30 lbs your only equipment option right now is plastic skis. I doubt many ski areas would allow that on the magic carpet or lifts. If this is the case, take her out in the yard with the plastic skis if you want. More importantly, just spend a lot of time outside this winter in the snow. Build snowmen, go sledding, etc. The key is getting them used to the snow and cold and hopefully to really like it.

Trust me, as a new parent, I too literally count the days down to when I could get the kids on skis. My first born is again pretty light and a bit timid. I really didn't feel she was ready until she was 3 going on 4. By that point, she could fit in a real ski boot and also was heavy enough for a real ski with the DIN set at 1! She could also effectively communicate (e.g. tell me if something is hurting, as well as listen to my instruction) and even get herself ready a bit, carry her own skis from the lot, etc. Even so, her first few times out, she was pretty timid.

My youngest is way ahead of her sister in terms of athleticism (walked at 9 months, vs. her sister at 15). She's tougher, stronger and more daring than her older sister which is probably pretty common in second kids. I plan to start her in the spring after she turns 3 which is about 9 months sooner than I started her older sister, but again, I think physically she will be ready earlier.

All kids and parents are different, and this is just my opinion, but again, I would stick to the yard this winter and save the "real skiing" at a ski area until next season or maybe in the spring. Of course, you can continue with the brainwashing this winter, showing her ski movies, talking about skiing with her, showing her your equipments, etc. I had a full 18 months of brainwashing on my oldest before she even put on her first ski boot.

Once you get out there, keep the expectations low. It may take a few days for her to even be able to navigate around on skis. This whole aspect could certainly be acheived ahead of time with the plastic skis around the yard. Keep the sessions short, especially if it's cold and make the day not just about skiing. My oldest likes the snack break we take about 45 minutes in as much as the actual skiing. Talk with her about the goings-on in the lodge, show her the big lifts, make snow angels, have a snowball fight, etc. Finally, let her determine when to go in for a break or when to go home. And always be sure she's always warm! Finally, do not pressure her. Eventually she will take to it more and more.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[wa-loaf]

I started my daughter last year at 3. The tip locks, harness with handle, and leash are indispensable. When they are that age make sure it is fun for them. The first few times we went out only for an hour and by the end of the season she was still only good for 2-3. Once they are done head for the lodge or home. The last thing you want to do is keep them out there too long.

 

[SkiDork]

We leashed it with both of them at age 3. Thats the perfect, and only age for the leash

One thing I learned - get yourself a pair of snowblades for leashing. MUCH easier than wearing regular skis.

[proud_dad]

The older one last season (age 9)



The younger one last season (age 6)



[/proud_dad]

If you work with them, and let the instructors help out as well, they will quickly exceed your own skill...

 

[hiroto]

We introduced our daughter to skiing when she was 2 (7mon ~ 10mon).

Very first day: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6698768077533115311

Middle of the season with leash: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7834655702095708916

Last day of the season after 10 days of sking: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6813615447409623455

 

[Greg]

We introduced our daughter to skiing when she was 2 (7mon ~ 10mon).

Very first day: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6698768077533115311

Middle of the season with leash: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7834655702095708916

Last day of the season after 10 days of sking: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6813615447409623455

Too cute. She's a little in the back seat though...

 

[SkiDork]

Too cute. She's a little in the back seat though...

They all are at that age...

 

[Greg]

They all are at that age...

:roll: I was joking, hence the

 

[wa-loaf]

We introduced our daughter to skiing when she was 2 (7mon ~ 10mon).

Very first day: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6698768077533115311

Middle of the season with leash: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7834655702095708916

Last day of the season after 10 days of sking: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6813615447409623455

Very nice I've been teaching my daughter at Wachusett too:

We spent a lot of time on that magic carpet!

 

[wa-loaf]

Too cute. She's a little in the back seat though...

Ha, I was going to make that joke, but you beat me to it!

 

[SkiDork]

Seeing the video of the leash, I re-iterate my 3 year old assertion.

IHMO, the leash is just to take them out on terrain they normally wouldn't be able to handle, to give them a feel for the speed, etc. Don't make them turn, stop, etc. Just let them have fun going straight and fast. You're controlling the speed, not them.

In that video (2 years old) it looked like terrain the kid could have handled without the leash. It wasn't necessary there.

Don't kill the messenger....

 

[Greg]

Seeing the video of the leash, I re-iterate my 3 year old assertion.

IHMO, the leash is just to take them out on terrain they normally wouldn't be able to handle, to give them a feel for the speed, etc. Don't make them turn, stop, etc. Just let them have fun going straight and fast. You're controlling the speed, not them.

In that video (2 years old) it looked like terrain the kid could have handled without the leash. It wasn't necessary there.

Don't kill the messenger....

I don't have any experience with the leash, nor do I even have a lot of experience teaching my kids to ski (my daughter has been out 8 days), but I don't like the leash approach. My uneducated opinion is it teaches them to rely on you for speed control as well as balance.

My approach was recommended to me by JimG. I use the tip lock (Edgie Wedgie) on my daughter's skis. I ski in front of her backwards and use a ski pole under the tip lock to help control her speed as well as guide her into "turns". Of course, I'm controlling her speed too, but she needs to do all the balancing on her own. On mellow terrain, I unhook it and let her go. Seems to be working okay so far.

I'm sure with kids younger than 3, the leash thing is almost necessary which is another reason I'm glad I waited a bit.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I had both of my older daughters out, using the "leash" method when they were between 3-5 years old. The progress they made was....nil. Even though I knew how to ski, I realized I didn't know how to teach someone else to ski. The best thing I did was then turn them over to ski school professionals that knew what to do.

Epilogue-they both now snowboard.

*shrug*

 

[wa-loaf]

Seeing the video of the leash, I re-iterate my 3 year old assertion.

IHMO, the leash is just to take them out on terrain they normally wouldn't be able to handle, to give them a feel for the speed, etc. Don't make them turn, stop, etc. Just let them have fun going straight and fast. You're controlling the speed, not them.

In that video (2 years old) it looked like terrain the kid could have handled without the leash. It wasn't necessary there.

Don't kill the messenger....

I disagree, you don't want to use the leash to control their speed, but I found it an excelent way to get my daughter to get a feel for her edges. I looped the straps up so they are at her hips and I can steer (just give a tug to redirect) her to get her on edge and away from obstacles.

 

[SkiDork]

a ski instructor friend told me to simply let them have fun going fast.

 

[Greg]

I had both of my older daughters out, using the "leash" method when they were between 3-5 years old. The progress they made was....nil. Even though I knew how to ski, I realized I didn't know how to teach someone else to ski. The best thing I did was then turn them over to ski school professionals that knew what to do.

I tried this initially, putting my daughter in a 4 day "camp". It was one hour each day and she didn't care for it much. My daughter needs a little prodding at times and the instructors (mostly teens) don't do that (probably a good thing) so she spent half the time just playing around with some toys and "props" they had lying around. She got much more out of it with me and I also know how far I can nudge her to do things. She never would have rode the chairlift had I not scooped her up on put her on it. After the "trauma" of that first ride, she couldn't wait to do it again.

 

[hammer]

She never would have rode the chairlift had I not scooped her up on put her on it. After the "trauma" of that first ride, she couldn't wait to do it again.

That would have never worked on my daughter...

 

[Greg]

That would have never worked on my daughter...

Trust me. There were intense negotiations going on all winter; bribes; you name it. Each day on the way to the ski area she talked about how excited she was to ride the chair. When it came down to it, she would back out. This went on a number of days. But I know her. If she really didn't want to do it, she would never have even said she would try it. Again, she just needed a nudge. Nothing wrong with a bit of tough love from time to time.