Introducing my 2 year old daughter to skiing this year.

[JimG.]

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.

OK, here's the ex-kid's coaches take:

Leashes and tip locks work. I prefer just the tip lock. I used my pole underneath the lock to pull my kids around, then skied backwards in front of them to control descent when they got to a slope. Soon they learned to turn just from me moving my pole back and forth as they skied down behind me (me still skiing backwards). One day, the pole was removed in flight and that was it. On their own. But I do tell most folks to use the leash too.

Kids want to be with their Mom or Dad or both. That's true from the age of 3-8 or 9 for some kids. Kids do not want to be dropped off at ski school, stay there all day, and get picked up at 3:30pm. Kids will go to ski school and they will like it if Mom or Dad or both spend time skiing with them too. As an instructor and coach, I told my kids' parents that part of the learning process was them spending time with their kids reinforcing what was learned in class. Yeah, like homework in school. Some parents did not ski so I would take time on some afternoons to ski alone with 2 or 3 kids from the class.

If it's all regimented, kids will not like it. It has to be fun.

 

[marcski]

I started my daughter last year when she was just turning 4. First 2 days, she was 3 and then turned 4 in January. First day, I had her in skischool/daycare. They took them out once for about an hour. 2nd day I took her on the same slope for about an hour. Was a magic carpet learning slope. Then, I signed her up for a private lesson at a small local hill. She didn't really love it...She saw a kid with a parent using a leash and asked me to do that. The next weekend, I had a leash and the edgiewedgie. I always "listened" to her cues with regard to how long to be out there etc. If she wanted to throw snowballs or eat snow, I indulged her. I also taught her how to edge with her skis while in the "pizza" position. Don't forget, Pizza and French Fries.

After a few days out using the leash and edgewedgie, most of the time she was controlling her own speed as I tried to keep slack in the harness. Finally, I convinced her to let me take the leash off for the last bit of a run. Once she realized she was checking her own speed, she was like "I don't need the leash anymore, Daddy, I'm a big girl now".

Look at my avatar, that's her on a gorgeous spring day at catamount. In her own "tuck" position. (which by the way, I never taught her). She also loved seeing the older kids racing and totally wants to race.

I think the question of to leash or not really depends on your own child and you have to be smart with it. Like I said, I always attempted to have her edge and try to check her speed. Also, I definitely noticed a difference in her leg strength at the end of the season compared to the beginning. This year, we have a season pass.

 

[hammer]

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.

Agree...if I thought my daughter would have responded positively to being scooped up onto a lift I would have done it a long time ago.

Fortunately for me she's way beyond that stage, although she started skiing somewhat later (about age 7 IIRC).

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Just my opinion..I'm not a parent but I was a kid not that long ago(I still am sometimes). I have several friends with kids who ski and from what I've heard and seen..showing kids ski pictures, ski videos, having ski geat out during the winter, and talking about skiing is great..and get's the kid enthusiastic about skiing. I've taught friends, girlfriends, and younger cousins how to ski. The most important thing is seeing things through the newbies eyes. On an easy trail..a new skier..young or old notices the littlest change in pitch significantly more than an experienced skier. I feel that skiing aside of or behind a new skier is most important to help pick up yardsales and direct when to turn..A cold, rainy, snowy, windy day is the worst time to introduce somebody to skiing. A sunny day with softish..not smashed tators..snow is ideal. A first impression is a lasting impression. Only 1 in 7 people who try skiing become lifelong participants and that includes children and adults. When I was younger I had bad first impressions of swimming due to a swimming instructor who dunked me unexpectedky..a real asshole move and have no enthusiasm for swimming. The same with being forced into soccer..I didn't want to play soccer but I was kind of forced into it..my parents didn't play..so it was up to the coach to give a good impression. I want to ski the sport of skiing grow and I think if people were properly introduced to the sport with propler instruction and patience..and not too large of a group..it would be most ideal. At Blue mountain every Saturday and Sunday and some nights..I see the mountaineers and Junior racers and they're so psyched to be there becoming better skiers and dreaming of one day skiing out west..or even Vermont or NY for some really young kids who'd only ever skied in PA. They feen for skiing and are the future of our sport. So if you want your kid to like skiing give a good first impression and remember..it's a leisure activity/recreation..for most..I swear the next time I hear another so-called expert skier teaching his kid, wife or girlfriend how to ski..and loses their patience and screams..."No Pete you have to make more turns":...and alot harsher things..then it's one less potential lifelong skier. Plus it's rewarding to help somebody learn to ski. I feel a little kid is better off initially learning from their parent..as opposed to with a bunch of random kids and the very lowest level ski instructor who is stuck in Ski-Wee and really wants to hit the Terrain Park. If I ever have kids..I want to teach them how to ski..I'd definitely sacrifice some vert..to give back to the sport.

I taught a snowboard instuctor how to ski this past season and at the top she wanted to go right back to her snowboard and by the bottom she was amped to go back up and repeat the run due to more control and a grasp for turning...and I was hella patient. But now I'm going to look like a hypocrite if I don;t try snowboarding..banghead..

 

[Kerovick]

I agree completlly on the point about trying to see everything from a newbies eyes. I'm a fairly compentent skier but a horride snowboarder. Last year I was making some progress with snowboarding and felt that I should go ahead and move off the greens and try a blue. It's been a long time since a blue was much of anything for me but with that snowboard on my feet it seemed like a double black. I quicklly learned that I'm not ready for blues on the snowboard yet and went back to the greens. Maybe this year?

Disclaimer: I only snowboard once or twice a year so it could take a little while

 

[JimG.]

Just my opinion..I'm not a parent but I was a kid not that long ago(I still am sometimes). I have several friends with kids who ski and from what I've heard and seen..showing kids ski pictures, ski videos, having ski geat out during the winter, and talking about skiing is great..and get's the kid enthusiastic about skiing. I've taught friends, girlfriends, and younger cousins how to ski. The most important thing is seeing things through the newbies eyes. On an easy trail..a new skier..young or old notices the littlest change in pitch significantly more than an experienced skier. I feel that skiing aside of or behind a new skier is most important to help pick up yardsales and direct when to turn..A cold, rainy, snowy, windy day is the worst time to introduce somebody to skiing. A sunny day with softish..not smashed tators..snow is ideal. A first impression is a lasting impression. Only 1 in 7 people who try skiing become lifelong participants and that includes children and adults. When I was younger I had bad first impressions of swimming due to a swimming instructor who dunked me unexpectedky..a real asshole move and have no enthusiasm for swimming. The same with being forced into soccer..I didn't want to play soccer but I was kind of forced into it..my parents didn't play..so it was up to the coach to give a good impression. I want to ski the sport of skiing grow and I think if people were properly introduced to the sport with propler instruction and patience..and not too large of a group..it would be most ideal. At Blue mountain every Saturday and Sunday and some nights..I see the mountaineers and Junior racers and they're so psyched to be there becoming better skiers and dreaming of one day skiing out west..or even Vermont or NY for some really young kids who'd only ever skied in PA. They feen for skiing and are the future of our sport. So if you want your kid to like skiing give a good first impression and remember..it's a leisure activity/recreation..for most..I swear the next time I hear another so-called expert skier teaching his kid, wife or girlfriend how to ski..and loses their patience and screams..."No Pete you have to make more turns":...and alot harsher things..then it's one less potential lifelong skier. Plus it's rewarding to help somebody learn to ski. I feel a little kid is better off initially learning from their parent..as opposed to with a bunch of random kids and the very lowest level ski instructor who is stuck in Ski-Wee and really wants to hit the Terrain Park. If I ever have kids..I want to teach them how to ski..I'd definitely sacrifice some vert..to give back to the sport.

I taught a snowboard instuctor how to ski this past season and at the top she wanted to go right back to her snowboard and by the bottom she was amped to go back up and repeat the run due to more control and a grasp for turning...and I was hella patient. But now I'm going to look like a hypocrite if I don;t try snowboarding..banghead..

Huh...I knew you had a few worthwhile posts to read inside of you.

This is all true. And remember, for a 2-3 year old a day of skiing might be going out and walking around in the cold, on the snow, and having a snowball fight. If they do that with you for an hour, treat them to something special and they will learn to look forward to it.

 

[wa-loaf]

Just my opinion..I'm not a parent but I was a kid not that long ago(I still am sometimes). I have several friends with kids who ski and from what I've heard and seen..showing kids ski pictures, ski videos, having ski geat out during the winter, and talking about skiing is great..and get's the kid enthusiastic about skiing. I've taught friends, girlfriends, and younger cousins how to ski. The most important thing is seeing things through the newbies eyes. On an easy trail..a new skier..young or old notices the littlest change in pitch significantly more than an experienced skier. I feel that skiing aside of or behind a new skier is most important to help pick up yardsales and direct when to turn..A cold, rainy, snowy, windy day is the worst time to introduce somebody to skiing. A sunny day with softish..not smashed tators..snow is ideal. A first impression is a lasting impression. Only 1 in 7 people who try skiing become lifelong participants and that includes children and adults. When I was younger I had bad first impressions of swimming due to a swimming instructor who dunked me unexpectedky..a real asshole move and have no enthusiasm for swimming. The same with being forced into soccer..I didn't want to play soccer but I was kind of forced into it..my parents didn't play..so it was up to the coach to give a good impression. I want to ski the sport of skiing grow and I think if people were properly introduced to the sport with propler instruction and patience..and not too large of a group..it would be most ideal. At Blue mountain every Saturday and Sunday and some nights..I see the mountaineers and Junior racers and they're so psyched to be there becoming better skiers and dreaming of one day skiing out west..or even Vermont or NY for some really young kids who'd only ever skied in PA. They feen for skiing and are the future of our sport. So if you want your kid to like skiing give a good first impression and remember..it's a leisure activity/recreation..for most..I swear the next time I hear another so-called expert skier teaching his kid, wife or girlfriend how to ski..and loses their patience and screams..."No Pete you have to make more turns":...and alot harsher things..then it's one less potential lifelong skier. Plus it's rewarding to help somebody learn to ski. I feel a little kid is better off initially learning from their parent..as opposed to with a bunch of random kids and the very lowest level ski instructor who is stuck in Ski-Wee and really wants to hit the Terrain Park. If I ever have kids..I want to teach them how to ski..I'd definitely sacrifice some vert..to give back to the sport.

I taught a snowboard instuctor how to ski this past season and at the top she wanted to go right back to her snowboard and by the bottom she was amped to go back up and repeat the run due to more control and a grasp for turning...and I was hella patient. But now I'm going to look like a hypocrite if I don;t try snowboarding..banghead..

Very nicely said. And I think the theme that is going through all these posts is how very important it is to make it fun for the kids (and other newbies). My daughter has been talking about skiing all summer and lights-up whenever we see snow on tv or in a book. If she had had a bad experience last winter I'm sure she would have another opinion.
:smile:

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

yeah, bottom line is all of our kids are going to require different methods to get them going...Greg's daughter is smaller and a little timid, my daughter is bigger than most 3 year olds at 2 and, much to her mom's chagrin, fearless (atta girl!). so, after we've all given our $.02, it's up to you to figure out what'll work with your kid. Meanwhile my daughter and I will be watching Anomoly or Ski Movie 3 this weekend...maybe the Seth Morrison Chronicles...gotta set that mental imagry early...maybe time to put the plastic skis on for a walk around the yard too...

 

[JimG.]

yeah, bottom line is all of our kids are going to require different methods to get them going...Greg's daughter is smaller and a little timid, my daughter is bigger than most 3 year olds at 2 and, much to her mom's chagrin, fearless (atta girl!). so, after we've all given our $.02, it's up to you to figure out what'll work with your kid. Meanwhile my daughter and I will be watching Anomoly or Ski Movie 3 this weekend...maybe the Seth Morrison Chronicles...gotta set that mental imagry early...maybe time to put the plastic skis on for a walk around the yard too...

All 3 of my boys were up on skis at 2 years 9 months. It got easier and easier with each one because the older sibling(s) provided the visual image the younger boys wanted to emulate. My boys love the lifts and in all 3 cases it was a motivator to get them going. Watching my 13 and 11 year olds in the trees for the first time last season was really special. My 5 year old skied into April.

3 peas from the same pod.

 

[Greg]

Just my opinion..I'm not a parent but I was a kid not that long ago(I still am sometimes). I have several friends with kids who ski and from what I've heard and seen..showing kids ski pictures, ski videos, having ski geat out during the winter, and talking about skiing is great..and get's the kid enthusiastic about skiing. I've taught friends, girlfriends, and younger cousins how to ski. The most important thing is seeing things through the newbies eyes. On an easy trail..a new skier..young or old notices the littlest change in pitch significantly more than an experienced skier. I feel that skiing aside of or behind a new skier is most important to help pick up yardsales and direct when to turn..A cold, rainy, snowy, windy day is the worst time to introduce somebody to skiing. A sunny day with softish..not smashed tators..snow is ideal. A first impression is a lasting impression. Only 1 in 7 people who try skiing become lifelong participants and that includes children and adults. When I was younger I had bad first impressions of swimming due to a swimming instructor who dunked me unexpectedky..a real asshole move and have no enthusiasm for swimming. The same with being forced into soccer..I didn't want to play soccer but I was kind of forced into it..my parents didn't play..so it was up to the coach to give a good impression. I want to ski the sport of skiing grow and I think if people were properly introduced to the sport with propler instruction and patience..and not too large of a group..it would be most ideal. At Blue mountain every Saturday and Sunday and some nights..I see the mountaineers and Junior racers and they're so psyched to be there becoming better skiers and dreaming of one day skiing out west..or even Vermont or NY for some really young kids who'd only ever skied in PA. They feen for skiing and are the future of our sport. So if you want your kid to like skiing give a good first impression and remember..it's a leisure activity/recreation..for most..I swear the next time I hear another so-called expert skier teaching his kid, wife or girlfriend how to ski..and loses their patience and screams..."No Pete you have to make more turns":...and alot harsher things..then it's one less potential lifelong skier. Plus it's rewarding to help somebody learn to ski. I feel a little kid is better off initially learning from their parent..as opposed to with a bunch of random kids and the very lowest level ski instructor who is stuck in Ski-Wee and really wants to hit the Terrain Park. If I ever have kids..I want to teach them how to ski..I'd definitely sacrifice some vert..to give back to the sport.

I taught a snowboard instuctor how to ski this past season and at the top she wanted to go right back to her snowboard and by the bottom she was amped to go back up and repeat the run due to more control and a grasp for turning...and I was hella patient. But now I'm going to look like a hypocrite if I don;t try snowboarding..banghead..

Huh...I knew you had a few worthwhile posts to read inside of you.

I agree. I almost skipped right over GSS's post, but he actually made some good points. See, Doug? We can all do without the "steeze" and rapping posts. Just continue to add some content like this post and you might earn some respect.

All 3 of my boys were up on skis at 2 years 9 months. It got easier and easier with each one because the older sibling(s) provided the visual image the younger boys wanted to emulate. My boys love the lifts and in all 3 cases it was a motivator to get them going. Watching my 13 and 11 year olds in the trees for the first time last season was really special. My 5 year old skied into April.

3 peas from the same pod.

I think this is inherent to just being a younger sibling. My youngest is a ball of fire and loves chasing her big sister around. I hope this translates to the hill as well.

 

[jack97]

At this age they are still impressionable. Tell them only nice people ski, otherwise they are evil.

 

[Bumpsis]

Having put two boys on skis, I'd say, don't rush it. A 2 year old may simply not even find much enjoyment in all your efforts. She won't miss much if you start her off at an older age. All kids are different, but my boys never really started to enjoy themselves until they grew some coordinated muscle (past 7).

For most kids, starting at 6 and 7 is just about perfect. They actually can take instructions well and you won't have to wait long befere you can actually ski with them.