When to start kids

[Rob A]

I started at 4. Be very patient, my first time out I took 1 run then wanted to stop and ran outside and didn't go again till the next year. It completely depends on the child.

Try to find a nice little resort to work with. I don't know if they exist anymore, but I learned at a place called Saw Creek in the Poconos (near Shawnee), which was a 300ft vertical with basically 2 trails. Excellent for beginners. A place like Craigmeur would be great too if you can find one.

 

[vcunning]

-at 2.5-3 we skiied with them using the kid-ski system www.kid-ski.com
-we enrolled them in ski school as soon as we could

Same thing with mine. Started at 2 with the kid-ski thing (only on nice days). My 3-year old is in CubCamp at Mount Snow (daycare/pseudo ski school). He get's out an hour a day on the magic carpet. They provide skis and boots (and I can borrow them anytime I want).

He was actually very unhappy that we didn't book him today (Christmas). But he's got 9 straight days coming up.

It's not really much lessons yet, but he gets the basics.

 

[BeanoNYC]

The baby just turned one and doesn't walk....SHE SPRINTS! I've been thinking about getting those strapped kiddie skis just to get her used to having them on and sliding a bit.

 

[severine]

The baby just turned one and doesn't walk....SHE SPRINTS! I've been thinking about getting those strapped kiddie skis just to get her used to having them on and sliding a bit.

If you're ever in the area, we have an old pair you can have. They were given to us but I don't think we ever used them with the kids.

 

[ckofer]

4 seems like a good age. I did notice that there were quantum leaps in coordination the next years (both for the kids who had already started and those just beginning). Try to score some good used skis and join a boot club.

You aren't far from S Berwick where you can ski for $5 (rope tow) at Powderhouse Hill. Old school...

 

[Geezer]

I started my daughter on the Kid-Ski stuff at the start of last season when she had just turned two. We had fun sliding around the living room on the plastic skis with the red T-bar thing that they sell. I think that gave her a good feel for sliding and balancing. But when we went to the bunny hill, she had a hard time balancing because the skis just strap to regular winter boots that don't give enough support. The next time we went, they wouldn't let us on the hill with the plastic skis due to no metal edges and non-releasable bindings. However, they cut us a break on rentals for her. This worked out because with real ski boots on, she had enough support to allow her to slide on her own. By the third outing, we started using a leash and going on the lift.

This year, she just turned three - I did a season-lease for her. We starting to use the leash as a learn-to-turn device. I'm amazed by how fast she's picking it up. When I get her to turn with the leash, it always seems a little bit like flying one of those stunt kites with double lines at the beach. Another good item is a handle-harness. The ability to pick her up one handed is key. She does not however, let me put the tip locks on her skis - she says they are "too rubbery". I'm not sure how I'm going to teach her how to wedge but maybe that doesn't matter for now.

The video is from Monday, 12/28 at Camelback. She's not doing much turning in this because I had to hold the leash in one hand to shoot the video.

As others have said: keep it fun, play in the snow and take breaks. From my experience, they can start pretty young and have a great time with it.

http://www.vimeo.com/8488845

 

[Geoff]

From Kittery, the place to go is Gunstock. 1 hour drive. Novice-friendly. You're not paying destination resort prices for kid programs.