Top 10 Tips when Taking Your Child Skiing for the First Time

Winter is a time for fun family bonding and developing childhood memories. One winter activity that many families enjoy is a first trip to the ski slopes. Organizing a family ski trip can be challenging but ultimately can be a very rewarding experience. If you are prepared with a few tips for your outing, everyone can have an enjoyable experience. As an experienced children's snowsports instructor, here are some tips I wish I could give every parent when they are planning for that first big ski trip.

Introduce them to snow
If young children have never seen snow before, it can be a little scary at first. Let them touch it, taste it, and play in it. Make a snowman. Let them ride a sled on it. Have them check out Snowmonsters.com, which introduces them to skiing. Make snow a fun thing to play in.

Familiarize them with the equipment
Since children grow fast, you'll probably be renting their ski equipment. Try to pick it up the night before and have them try it out. It won't be as cumbersome if you let them get used to walking in ski boots on stable terrain first and then try walking in the snow. Make it a game as you get them used to the boots. Once comfortable, put the skis on and let them move around on flat terrain or even the living room carpet.

Dress for the current weather
Make sure they have the right clothing for the weather. Overdressing for warm weather can be as uncomfortable as under-dressing for cold weather. Too much clothing can also be cumbersome to move in. Using non-cotton based ski socks will help their feet stay warm. Make sure gloves, pants, and jackets are waterproof and windproof. They will also need sunscreen, goggles, and a ski helmet. Don't try to use a bicycle helmet to save money- they are not goggle compatible or impact rated for skiing. Check out Lids on Kids for ski and helmet safety tips.

Plan ahead
If you are going on a daytrip, allow plenty of driving time to the ski slopes. Ski traffic congestion can cause adults to get angry, frustrated, and impatient with their kids. It's not pleasant witnessing road-raged parents screaming at or physically abusing their kids while on the ski slopes. Pack the car the night before and have the next day's breakfast all planned out. Your ski trip will start much smoother.

Know your limits
If you aren't prepared to sacrifice your own ski day, register your children for ski school. Children take time and patience to teach. You could unintentionally vent your frustrations on your kids. If children are screamed at and berated while trying to learn skiing, they'll stop trying very quickly. Instructors are professionally trained to teach skiing and understand children's physical and emotional developmental stages.

If you choose ski school
Make any ski school and daycare reservations online, then download and fill out required forms to make your day less stressful. Have a list of any required medications, a list of known allergies, any dietary restrictions, contact information, and any parental custody issues. Try to arrive on time so that your child can get settled with their class. Once you've turned them over to ski school staff, walk away from the teaching area. Your presence can cause undue pressure, stress, and cause them to act up. Don't fret, most places have a spy area for parents to watch their child's lesson. If desired, ask the instructor if you can meet your child during lunch. Most children's lessons are full-day programs.

Go play
At the end of the day, ask your kids about their day. Be enthusiastic and let them show you what they have learned. Ask if they want to go on a run together. Make that run a fun bonding experience with no pressure. Go at their pace. Do not make it a continuation of their lesson. Play the whole way down the mountain. If your child enjoyed their lesson and showed some improvement - go give their instructor a tip. They earned it.

If you choose to teach
If you want to try teaching your children, remember the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) motto: Safety, Fun, then Learning. If learning is always pushed first, you're in for a long day. Children naturally have short attention spans so keep talking to a minimum. Be prepared for many breaks - hot chocolate breaks, fun breaks, water breaks, and bathroom breaks. Have everyone take a trip to the facilities before heading up any lift. Be sure to keep an eye on any exposed skin for sunburn or frostbite.

Great tips from the PSIA-AASI website
Need more tips? The Professional Ski Instructors of America - American Association of Snowboard Instructors website has a complete parents guide to snowsports. Learn what questions to ask. Learn how to judge a snowsport school. What age should your child start skiing or riding. It's all here. Download the Parents Guide to Snowsports pdf file.

Keep it fun
The key to success to teaching children skiing is to always keep it fun. Kids know that "if it isn't fun, why do it?" If you have realistic expectations of what your child can achieve on their first ski trip and take time for bonding moments, everyone will have enjoyable memories. Go create some this winter.

http://www.thesnowpros.org/

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