How to get your kids to love skiing
Whether you are a seasoned skier whose kids don’t share the same passion, or you want to have a go at skiing for the first time but are worried about the kids not enjoying themselves, this guide is for you.
For some, skiing becomes a pastime that is forgotten when you have children. For others who do manage to get onto the slopes with their kids, it becomes a nightmare juggling the one that has fallen over and needs consoling and the others that are haring downhill with either little control or little care.
Skiing then becomes something that is too stressful for both parties to ever be considered a holiday again. Until now.
At Ski Olympic we believe that every skier must start somewhere, and with our guide, we will help you get your kids into skiing. So now, you can all enjoy your time at a catered chalet in France.
Let them take it at their pace
This falls in place with a couple of other tips we have; you should not push them, but at the same time, be careful not to let them give up too easily.
Kristen Lummis is the founder of the award-winning website Brave Ski Mom and the proud mother of two ski obsessed sons. Kristen kindly offered us her top tips for getting your kids into skiing.
“Keep your eyes on the prize. Because skiing parents love skiing, they want their kids to love it, too. But parents need to be patient. Remember to let your child set the pace and allow plenty of time for play and hot chocolate breaks. Don’t push your child too hard. You want them to love skiing of their own accord. Some kids are ready to learn at age 3, others may be a bit older. Every child is different.”
Ski Schools
Ski Schools have many benefits for your kids. You don’t need to make them spend their entire holiday there, but it is certainly good for the first part of your trip.
“Enrol your child in ski school. Let trained professionals teach your children, while you enjoy some adult time skiing with your partner or friends. In the end, your child will learn more and you’ll have more fun, too!” Said Kristen.
Their confidence will grow and grow as they tackle new terrain or even levels of ski slopes, as they go through the same things as the other kids in the group. These other children will become friends with yours, which allows them to take their minds off of skiing and allows them to enjoy time with good company.
Ultimately, it is a much easier process of ensuring that your kids get the hang of skiing quickly. However, you should not just ditch them at the school straight away. Some kids may struggle in these surroundings if it is completely alien to them, so it is worth perhaps spending a day introducing them to the slopes in their own time.
At least with you there they will be comfortable enough to tell you they want to slow down, or don’t understand something and may even go into the school a step ahead of the others, building their confidence further.
Keep them warm
We have recently published a piece on how to keep your feet warm while skiing because we know the importance of being comfortable on the slopes.
If you ensure that your children are warm, then even if they are swaying between enjoyment or wanting to go back to the chalet or hotel, they have one less excuse to dislike skiing.
With two children, Kristen knows what they should be wearing to enjoy their trip.
“Don’t skimp on warm clothing for your kids. Make sure your children have serviceable clothing designed for snow sports. A warm child is a happier child.”
Similarly, you can choose warmer destinations to ski, or at least warmer times. A bright, sunny day helps to make everyone a little happier and positive and that is certainly the case when skiing.
Get them out in the snow
If you have younger children it is worth getting them in the snow as much as you can. Obviously this is weather dependant, but if you introduce them to tobogganing or something similar then it will make for a much smoother transition onto the skis.
If you can’t find enough snow then head to a dry ski slope.
Jane Bolton, mother to two little skiers and MD at Erna Low has given us some first-hand expert advice on how to get your kids in to skiing.
“I would definitely recommend taking the children to a dry ski slope or snow centre to see if they like skiing before investing fully in a ski holiday.
“We went to the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempsted and both the kids loved the experience. You can borrow everything including clothing so I felt it was a really good idea.
“I have also heard great reviews about Ski Plex, which is an indoor rolling carpet that simulates a genuine ski experience and helps children with their confidence before they hit the slopes.”
When children first ski, their initial fear is falling over and hurting themselves, or going too fast. If you show them through a few runs on a toboggan you will not only have a fun day, but also help them to realise that it doesn’t always hurt when you fall, and that you can be in control of your speed.
Show them what they’ll be doing
This depends on their age and interest, but if you can find YouTube videos or photos of where you are going that will inspire your children.
Many resorts have facilities aside from skiing, so you can show them what they’ll be doing in the evenings or where you will visit on the slopes, such as places to eat.
It will also help them get an idea of what is coming. For some kids, the white canvas of the mountains can be intimidating and lifeless, after all, they probably have never seen so much snow. If they see where you will be staying, there is bound to be something that they are going to look forward to.
Rehearse
Facing a large, steep slope, even one that they aren’t actually going to ski down can really intimidate a child, especially when they are not used to their skis.
Pick up your skis early and get them shuffling around their room in them, get them used to standing back up and taking them off. It will prepare them for all of the eventualities they are going to face on the slopes.
Image Credit: Jared eberhardt AnneCN Timo Newton-Syms European Snowsport