Introducing young children to skiing

[jwind]

If you want to take the risk of injuring your own child go ahead, just don't come back and tell me that you should have listened to me.

Somehow i doubt this will be a problem

Things were different when you learned to ski. Skis were different, bindings were different...there are many things that were different. Today's bindings, for the most part, have a gap at the front of the toe piece that is wide enough to catch skis. Skis are also thinner, most of them, than they were as little as 10 years ago. Think about what your dad was on when he taught you to ski. Also, today's shaped skis, by nature, want to turn when they are tipped on edge. To turn right both right edges are tipped to the snow. \\ To turn left both left edges are tipped to the snow. // When you are in a wedge, one is tipped each way /\, the skis want to turn right into each other...just think about it for a minute... you will see what I mean. This could spell disaster with a child between your legs. The Wedge, Snow plow, what ever you want to call it is not commonly emphasised as a "stopping" or "slowing" technique anymore. In fact, the wedge is not usually taught to beginners like it was before. There is no emphasis on the wedge at all.

As for skiing 101...

I know how to ski. Heck, i've been a ski coach for 5 years...

 

[teachski]

Good for you! I've been skiing for 38+ years, I was a patroller for 15 years and a ski instructor (which I still am) for 20+ years. I gave up patrolling in favor of instructing.

The information I put here is NOT just for you. If you want to put your kid between your legs go ahead. I just want others to realize that it is dangerous. There are a lot of people who try to do this and really should not. I have seen several children injured by this. Also, it is not a sound practice as the children tend to lean on the parent and become dependent on the parent holding them up and helping them turn.
I just don't want to see a child getting hurt because of this method. I have seen it several times and it is NOT pretty.

jwind, I am not questioning your ability at all. I am also not questioning your judgement as a parent. I am just reporting my observations after years of skiing, involvement in the NSP and as an instructor.

 

[ChileMass]

I have done the "reverse wedge" (going backwards down the hill, facing uphill towards my daughter) many times, and it works well. Just gotta go slow and keep looking over your shoulder. It helps to be on a big, wide slope.......Another benefit is being able to see your kid's reactions as they go down the hill.......

 

[tjd]

Teaching Kids to Ski

Interesting discussion. I currently have 3 kids learning to ski - ages 3, 5 & 7.

I decided to go the ski school route. I started all in classes at Sugarbush when we were there at the beginning of the month - 3 days of lessons for each. It's amazing how fast they progress.

Last weekend during a visit to Butternut, by 7YO was able to see with her mom and me, doing her first easy blues. The 5YO took an all day lesson and the 3YO in daycare since Butternut doesn't offer lessons to 3 year olds. I did not feel comfortable trying to ski with the 3YO on a tether (leash).

Ski school classes may be expensive, but they are worth it for the kids. At Sugarbush on our final day, my 7YO's class was 2 kids. A semiprivate all day lesson for $85 - a great deal! And a 5YO's class at Butternut was 3 kids. Again, a great deal.

Both kids liked the mini terrain park on the beginner slopes at Butternut - they though the jumps were cool - it figures

Cheers!

 

[Bumpsis]

I'm in the process of introducing my 5 year old to skiing. My 9 year old is well under way. From my experience, starting them any younger maybe counter productive.

Although every child is different, putting our boys on skis before the age of 5 was just not really worth the effort. What is supposed to be fun was very quickly turning into something less than enjoyable for all involved.

Ski school, although an expensive option is totaly worth it if you find a good program. My older one went through the ski program at Sugarloaf (two years, that is one week at a time) and loved it. Now I can ski with him on most of the intermediate trails when it's not too icy and we both really enjoy the experience.

 

[skidbump]

started both my sons on skis at 3"walking in them not skiing" at 4 tried to get them down bunny slope at mohawk"ct" at 5 skiwee at jiminey...now at 16 and 19n they both board...guess i screwed up they are now satans spawn......

ahahahahhahahahahahahahahahah

 

[Vortex]

I statrted my daughter at 3 and my son at 5. I started at 5. I taught skiing many moons ago, but I put them in lesssons with someone else. I think they had less stress, maybe me also I think they have to be warm and not tired and then you can go from there. I stated them in March when it was warm and snow is soft. We let them go for as long as they wanted and did not push. Today they still go as much as they want and we chase them. I'm not sure there is a right way to do it. Many right ways many wrong ways. Each is different.

 

[BrockVond]

DON'T do this!!!!
Don't put your small child in between your legs to ski with them. No matter how good you are or think you are it is quite dangerous.

Absolutely right. When I see parents do this on the mountain, I always cringe. When I was first teaching my son, he learned very quickly to follow me at a safe distance because I was so nervous about him falling that I ended up falling quite often. He always thinks that's pretty funny. :lol:

 

[stomachdoc]

What a great topic!

Some of the pundits say that your child should be able to walk up a flight of stairs without holding on and putting one foot in front of another (basically, the way an adult climbs stairs) before putting them in skis.

I have a 9 year old who started in ski school at Waterville at age 5 and now is a superb, controlled skier who can handle all terrain. She skis in the morning and (gulp) snowboards in the afternoon. She was mature enough to benefit from ski school at that age.

I also have twins (boy/girl) who just turned four. Last season (age 3) we played with ski boots and one ski and walked around the snow. We also got an instructor for them and let them ride the magic carpet (they enjoyed that) and they did a little gliding. This season, they've been in a seasonal day care/ski school hybrid program at Waterville that gives them one hour of one on one instruction twice a day, interspersed with the requisite videos/playtime/naptime. It's been a great program and they are both now able to ski down Valley Run (a long, wide green circle cruiser) with good control.

Earlier this season, when I was skiing with them, I would ski backwards in front of them. That way, I could grab them if they got out of control. I agree that the between the legs thing is risky.

I think that the value of an excellent instructor can't be overstated.

 

[RossiSkier]

My wife and I are expecting twins. I am reading this thread with particular interest. I have no doubt that I will have a child on each side of me while I ski down the hill. Oh yeah, and my wife trailing behind dodging snowboarders. But seriously, it is a nice thought. I can't wait. I think about it most as I pass through the ship shops and see the little 70cm skis.

 

[JimG.]

Started both of my 2 oldest sons at 2 years 9 months. By age 3 both could make wedge turns down green trails. Now they're 10 and 8 and are experienced expert rippers who can ski anything. They spent some time in ski school, but my experience is that the quality of children's lessons at most resorts is at best decent. So, I have taught them alot of what they now know.

I stopped coaching 2 years ago and have spent the last 2 seasons coaching my boys myself. My 10 year old is now learning how to take air off kickers on the bump course at Hunter.

The best part is that my 2 1/2 year old is almost ready to take the plunge. Can't wait!

 

[subdude]

What a great topic!

Some of the pundits say that your child should be able to walk up a flight of stairs without holding on and putting one foot in front of another (basically, the way an adult climbs stairs) before putting them in skis.

I have a 9 year old who started in ski school at Waterville at age 5 and now is a superb, controlled skier who can handle all terrain. She skis in the morning and (gulp) snowboards in the afternoon. She was mature enough to benefit from ski school at that age.

I also have twins (boy/girl) who just turned four. Last season (age 3) we played with ski boots and one ski and walked around the snow. We also got an instructor for them and let them ride the magic carpet (they enjoyed that) and they did a little gliding. This season, they've been in a seasonal day care/ski school hybrid program at Waterville that gives them one hour of one on one instruction twice a day, interspersed with the requisite videos/playtime/naptime. It's been a great program and they are both now able to ski down Valley Run (a long, wide green circle cruiser) with good control.

Earlier this season, when I was skiing with them, I would ski backwards in front of them. That way, I could grab them if they got out of control. I agree that the between the legs thing is risky.

I think that the value of an excellent instructor can't be overstated.

That's exactly what I did with my son when he was 4 I had him on walking around in boots then with one ski on. We would enroll him in kids camp for a day when we went skiing for a weekend. Now he's 6 and really enjoys skiing still having problems stopping a bit but skis the greens with confidence. We enrolled him in winter camp next week for 2 days at WaWa ha can't wait to get back out there. Two full days of skiing with an instructor (not me) should boost his confidence level as well as stopping ability.
Funny thing is i'm a ski instructor and teach kids all the time. I was told by co-workers to have someone else teach him not to do it myself. I can relate to that I took him out a few weeks ago and started getting a little frustrated with him but maintained my cool the bottom line is making it as fun as you can.

 

[smootharc]

I'd agree with suggestion of 4+/- years old as good starting age.

Both my guys started at that age, where coordination and muscular development are advanced enough to allow them to actually be aware of "doing something" versus just being, for lack of better way to put it, "flopped around" by a bigger person. Maybe sledding is the ticket for the really young ones...get them psyched for the nip on their noses, hot chocolate, and catching snowflakes in their mouths...

 

[GadgetRick]

My son...

My son is now just over 2 years old. I'm excited about being able to ski with him. Just the other day he started to say, "I want to go skiing with daddy!" Talk about melting my heart!

Anyway, as soon as we can get him up to the mountain I patrol at I'll be giving him his shot. I only plan to get the boots/skis on him and walk him around on level ground. I figure that's more than enough for him right now. He does not have the strength/coordination to snowplow yet anyway so I'll just let him play a little. He'll think he's skiing and it'll (hopefully) be fun for him.

Most resorts take kids into classes at 4 years of age. Part of this is because they should have the strength/coordination to ski. Part of it is because they can listen to another adult. Part of this is because they can trust another adult. But most of all (I think) it's because they're potty trained!

But seriously, I can't wait to have him out with me. I would have had him out sooner but it's just been too cold when I've had him up there. I figure, as the season gets later, it'll be better. Take him out on a nice sping-skiing day. He should enjoy himself.

 

[Statyk]

Well, I'm not a parent and I'm a sucky skier so I have absolutely no credibility here (though I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night). I recall riding up a lift with an instructor and watching some very young ones. We started talking about when to start. He said, it really depended on the kid but he didn't think it was a good idea till about 5. His take was kids simply don't have the strength, motor skills, or attention span to deal with skiing. FWIW.

HAHA thats great...holiday inn express...lol

 

[severine]

Stopping in quickly here. When I took lessons last year at Ski Sundown (my 1st and only season), I remember asking my instructor how early they start out lessons there. I believe he said they don't go any younger than 4 years old. Reading other people's explanations on here, I can understand why. But having them walk around in boots and with one ski on before that could certainly help.

I only have one season under my belt...had to sit out this one because I'm pregnant. But when this child is old enough to learn, we will definitely have him/her take lessons. Even though my husband is a much better skier than I am, I think it's a good idea to have an impartial party teach your child.

 

[MsMtSnow]

Age

I was started on skis at age 3 by my Mom and I was also in ski class. I didn't really catch on until the next year. My middle sister was started at age 3 as well and by the end of the season was coming down from the top of the mountain. The youngest sister was also started at three, but really had no interest in any of it until she turned 5.

In short, it depends on the maturity level of the child and stength. In my ski class this year, I have 9 kids ranging in ages just turned 6 to 9. The just turned 6 skiier is the best skiier in the class. He just caught on quick and Mom and Dad are very dedicated skiiers.

Jessica

 

[stomachdoc]

I certainly agree about the "impartial party" teaching the young ones to ski. It's natural for kids at this age to have some resistance about going into new situations; one way that we've gotten around it with our 4 year old twins is to use the "if you go to ski school you're going to be good enough to ski with Mom and Dad" approach. We then make a point of skiing with them at the end of the day or for an afternoon.

I really am amazed at how quickly even young children can progress!

 

[subdude]

prior to my knee injury 3 weeks ago I had a group of 5 kids all girls ages 9-11 for ski school every thurs night at 5pm for one hour. These kids were never on skis in their life so I started with them right from the beginning. 4 weeks into it they were all doing wedge christy turns and well on there way to open parallel turns. Now that i'm out for the season another instructor had to pick up the group i'm sure he or she will do well with them. In my findings with kids. I notice for some reason that the girls seem to listen and pickup things better then the boys do. Boys tend to not listen as well as the girls and just want to ski fast and jump and not learn anything about technique etc....