Introducing Kids to Skiing: Top Tips
Mark recently shared how we introduced our son H to skiing just before his fourth birthday. After these early adventures, as COVID-19 pushed us (and many other Americans) outside, one of our local Wisconsin hills provided the perfect venue to grow our kids’ confidence on skis (and their love for the sport).
If you have preschoolers or elementary-age kids, getting them started on skis can feel overwhelming.
Where should you go? What should you buy? What if they hate it? Take a deep breath and read on; here are our tips to make your family’s first ski adventures a little more aproachable.
1. Don’t overlook the local hill. Fancy lifts and massive vert aren’t necessary for those just starting out. In fact, big resorts and lengthy travel might make your early excursions feel more daunting than they need to be. We started H on a single suburban slope with a handful of tow ropes, and it was a perfect primer. Local mountains can offer big time value and a chill vibe. Closing out a perfect ski day with a parking lot tailgate and a portable speaker is a reminder that skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a lifestyle. Local, independent mountains have a charm all their own, so don’t underestimate the benefits of starting small.
2. Don’t think you need to plan a full vacation—or even a full day. A few hours may be all that’s needed to pique your little ones’ interest. Plus, leaving the mountain before kiddos get tired and cold is key to avoiding meldowns, ensuring that the whole family will be eager to return for Round Two.
3. Hand the kiddos over to an instructor, and be prepared to walk away. Whether it’s a two-hour lesson, a half day, or a full day, kids are almost always more willing to bravely try new things when their parents (even those who are accomplished skiers) aren’t hovering nearby. Give your little rippers the room to grow their confidence, and enjoy watching them figure it out from a distance.
For the parent who’s rusty or new to the sport, kids’ lessons might provide a window of time to seek out instruction for yourself, too. The smartest moutains have realized this and scheduled the start time of their adult lessons half an hour after kids lessons begin. Join up after lessons to let the kids show off their new skills as you enjoy some turns together as a family.
Ski Lessons: a chance for kids to grow their skills while parents take a breather.
4. Stay the course. It may take time for your kids’ skills to develop (and, with those skills, their love of skiing). Don’t be put off by some early nerves, reluctance, or even tears. Commit to returning several times throughout the season, enrolling your kids in lessons as often as you can. Even our two kids, who are now confidently skiing black terrain out west, learn to stretch their comfort zones and refine their skills in the lessons they take each season. Plus, the chance to ski with peers in group lessons adds an element of fun.
5. Don’t feel compelled to outfit your kids like World Cup racers. They’re not Bode or Mikaela (yet). Kids need warm and well fitting layers, snug, calf-height socks, and water-resistant outerwear. Avoid cotton (it tends to hold moisture), sticking to wool and synthetics for their wicking and insulating capabilities. Don’t worry about brands, either. Our kids started in Land’s End jackets and bibs, and they stayed warm and dry (and, not coincidentally, happy).
There’s no need to purchase skis and boots for your kiddos straight out of the gate, either. Most mountain’s daily rental equipment is very servicable for those just starting out, and season rentals are an excellent choice for those who plan to ski several times per year. Many on-mountain (or mountain-adjacent) shops offer season-long rental packages, as do ski shops in non-mountain locations nationwide. Here in Chicagoland, season rentals for kids and adults can be found at both Viking Ski Shop and King Keyser. Call early, though, as stock is often limited. If you need help finding season rentals where you are, drop us a line.
When it comes to learn-to-ski, rentals get the job done!
One possible exception to our “no need to buy” advice: helmets. Brains are important, and a comfortable, warm, well-ventilated, and well-fitting helmet with MIPS technology will keep your kids’ noggins safest. Save your ski hat for aprés; for both kids and adults, good helmets are a warm, safer alternative to the beanies of old.
While rental helmets are widely available for minimal cost, buying ensures that you have the safest gear for your kids. Remember, when it comes to helmets, more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Pay attention to fit and safety tech (for more information on MIPS and other helmet safety essentials, click here). The best helmet for your little ripper is the one they’re eager to wear: the one that fits their head shape, is most comfortable, and maybe provides a venue for expressing their personal style (stickers, anyone?).
Ready to ski or ride? Where will your first destination be this season? Let us know in the comments.
