Hola gang, 

My wife is expecting our first child, and this has me excited for the prospect of a life long ski buddy.  I know that this can't happen for a few more years.  It also has me frightened, but that is a totally different issue relating to not wanting to grow up.  haha.  Anyway how old were your kids when you started them out skiing?  And how was the experience?  I figure at least 3 or 4, so I have a few years to prepare.

I started both of my kids when they were 4. We found it very useful to put them in lessons from the start. A good instructor can put the kids at ease and teach them in terms they can understand. My son's first experience on skis was actually at Smuggler's Notch in Vermont, in a 3-day program for 3-5 year olds. 

Congratulations, Andy!

I waited until age 4 because that's when she could go to the Massanutten ski school.  I knew that I didn't have the patience to do snowplay with a 3yo.  Was only an intermediate skier back then so had enough to think about on snow without having to pay attention to a little one who was going to be needing a lot of support.  (Husband is a non-skier.)

When I picked up my daughter after her first day in ski school, she had already ridden the chair lift and knew how to turn and stop.  Was little enough that she needed an edgie-wedgie for a day (borrowed from ski school).  After that, she was good on snow.  Took me a little practice to learn how to load the chair with her with confidence.  She was petite and needed a little help to get on fully.

Ski schools, and many pre-schools, require a kid to be potty trained.  That's another reason to wait until age 4.

I personally did not start until age 28, was hooked immediately, am still learning! I tell folks my first ski experiences were "bale to bale"!  In those days Charnita (now Liberty) put hay bales by the tripod ski guns to prevent skiers from hitting them; thus I skied across the slope to the next hay bale, then turned around and repeated cross slope to next downhill bale while a friend tried to teach me to ski. No, I would not recommend this method for learning, nor would I recommend trying to teach your child to learn.  I started my three children in ski school lessons at approx. age 5 (they are now slope sliders for life), and I was fortunate to be able to initiate my seven grandkids to our sport at ages three and four.  I put them in both private and group lessons for the majority of their first couple of learning years, with some family ski time each day/trip.  They all are also hooked on our sport, whether on two planks or one.  All can negotiate any Mid-A slope and the youngest was skiing Cupp Run at Snowshoe at age 4+.  

Most of their lessons were at Snowshoe, which I found to have an excellent children's program!!  They also have had positive  lessons at Seven Springs and Wintergreen. If possible look for a program that provides everything in one place: equipment, lessons off slope care, etc.  The most important thing is that they have fun!!!  Do not push them!! Let them show you what they have learned.  Do not put them on a more advanced slope until ready.  Use some of the devices you can buy to make their skiing easier such as ski tip connectors, ski leash, and the harness that makes it relatively easy to lift them up onto a lift.  When weather is s factor trust private lesson instructors to keep them safe and enjoying what they are doing

Most ski schools have specially trained instructors for children; if your resort doesn't, go elsewhere!!!  Watch the lesson from afar to make sure things are going well, but leave them alone with the instructor, do not hover.  Afterward, if your child gets tired or wants to go in, let them.  Find other things to do that they can also enjoy, such as swimming, or simply playing in the snow.  Good warm waterproof clothing and gloves are a must!  Most ski schools require children wear helmets, so should you.  If you and your child find a fantastic instructor, then hire then for future lessons, including private lessons.  If multiple children are close in age and ability, put them both in a private lesson for two and save a few dollars.

If your child's instructor is not trained to teach children, get them into another class.  I can remember instructors at a remote Mid-A resort telling my 5 year old kids to "ski perpendicular to the slope" and other commands that meant nothing to them. Make advance reservations for lessons. You do not want to arrive at the resort and find out the classes are full!  By the way, children are not taught the way you probably were, equipment and terminology have changed, another reason to put them in lessons!  

And remember to generously tip a good instructor!!!  It will pay dividends!  

Generally I would say multiple days of lessons are preferable to lessons multiple weeks apart.  Yes, I realize this can be expensive, but look at it as an investment.  Or try to find a ridiculously generous skiing grandparent like my kids did!!

More later!

MorganB

aka The Colonel

Youngest started at four (in lessons at Whitetail).  They had 3 1/2 hour "kids mountain camp" and mid week it was a private lesson mixed with hot chocolate and coloring.  That left about an hour on the tail end to ski with me on a four hour pass.  He loved it.  Other two were older 6 and 8, and we intermediate skied with them for a few years.  Just lost my last ski buddy to college, but my oldest is returning to ski with me again.  Waiting with baited breath for a new young ski buddy to come along!!  Built in ski buddies are the best.

My daughter started at 3 - took her first class at northstar in Tahoe.  Rode the chairlift and down the bunny slope.  When she was four she did green/blue runs with a leash.  She is five (now) and can take lower shays at snowshoe faster and in more control than most adults - will also do basic jumps and boxes in the park.  

Start em young, lots of repetition. 

Both of my kids started around age 2. They cannot remember a time when they did not ski. They are 26 and 18 now. I would not classify them as experts because we are recreational skiers only and their interest in lessons matched my ability to pay.

My kids were about age 5 when they started.  I taught them myself early on, which I suspect didn't work as well as WGO's strategy.  But I had four and it was my way of keeping costs down.  Also, I suppose I waited a little late because I wanted them old enough to last most of a ski day.  When they are younger than five they may be only good for an hour on snow.  Should note, that I had them on "toy" skis when we had snow in the backyard a year or two before age 5 so they could get a feel for just walking around on snow.  My wife was a fair weather skier and could have abandoned the sport years ago, but getting the kids into it was a super valuable way to convert my selfish hobby into "quality family time" that she enthusiastically supported.

I saw an 18 month old girl snowboarding on the slopes on Snowshoe last weekend.  Her father had a leash attached to her board and stayed behind her.  Her older sister (2-3 years old) was riding pretty good with her mother.  As long as they are having fun is the most important thing to consider.

Usually kids learn to ski before learning to snowboard.  I have always heard it is s physical strength thing, and that snowboarding, if desires, should wait until about age seven.  Of my three children (now ages 36-47), all can snowboard and ski (daughter used to also mono ski), two now only snowboard.  With my seven grandchildren (ages 7-15), all ski quite well and four have tried snowboarding.  Only one snowboards with regularity.  

MorganB

JimK wrote:

My kids were about age 5 when they started.  I taught them myself early on, which I suspect didn't work as well as WGO's strategy.  But I had four and it was my way of keeping costs down.

Smuggs had a deal where the lessons for the 3-5 yr olds were included with the vacation package. It was a good deal. Not sure if they are still doing that but it would be worth looking into for anyone with kids in that age range. As I recall they did not have the same deal for older kids.

For my daughter we did try to teach her ourselves initially and it just did not work. We ended up paying for a couple private lessons just to "jump-start" her skiing and it was well worth the cost. Sometimes kids just listen better to instructors.

JimK wrote:

 but getting the kids into it was a super valuable way to convert my selfish hobby into "quality family time"

+1

All of my kids started skiing bumps with their mother, about four months after conception.  After their first ski season, they took four years off to gain some strength and coordination.   The first couple of times out, try and teach them yourself.  Once they get use to their gear, put them in ski school for the day and they will come back different people.   

Started my daughter with some scooting around on flat ground a handful of times, plus a 1-hour private lesson, at 2 years 10 months.

The following season, we did ski school (lied about her age), plus a couple of "dad" lessons.  Ski school was far more effective.

This season (5 years old), we did more ski school, and lots of skiing with mom and dad.  She skied Widowmaker a couple of times, and a handful of other mid-A blacks. 

Next season, we'll start her on poles, and her brother (currently 19 months) will get his own equipment. 

I highly recommend doing a junior equipment program for the season.  Having skis and boots that fit properly is important, and it saves a lot of time not renting at the hill.  Compared to the cost of lessons / ski school, it's nothing.

We have not used any kind of edgie-wedgie or harness.  I've read mixed reviews.

The most important thing you can do is to get your kid to love skiing.  Involving other kids (ski school) and skiing in nice weather (ie. don't try it in single digits) goes a long way.

I got affordable used gear for my kids when they were ages 3 and 4.  I let them play with it in the yard a couple times, snow or no snow just so they would learn to put the boots and skis on, stop around in skis, fall, get back up, etc.  They had a lot of fun just doing that.  Then, I took them to a resort ant took turns/shifts with them on the green trails first season.  Second season I took them on a longer trip and put them in a half day ski wee type program.  It was too cold that day and the younger girl onl,y lasted 30 minutes outside. her brother skied some with an edgie wedgie according to the instructors.  The girl was no longer interested in ski trips at that point but still loved sledding and playing in the snow when available at home.  Boy went about twice a year for the next three years but didn't make any real progress only skiing 5-6 hours per season.  It wasn't until he started going 3-4 times a season that he progressed and began skiing blues and blacks.  Little sister regained her interest last season and came along on several trips.  She can now ski blues but did have a fear of lifts to overcome.  Now she can ski solo on the easier terrain and will go about every other trip.  They are now age 12 and 13 and fully self sufficent out on the mountain to the point where we can split up and meet up all skiing trails that interest us.

They each got a lesson or two on most of the trips, usually a private so I could ski an hour or two if big kid stuff while an instructor worked with them.  I used to teach but kids learn better from folks other than their parents when it comes to stuff like this.

Keep expectations reasonable.  Not everyone loves it at first.  Some take awhile to warm up to it.  But, for those that do, mileage and frequency is extremely important.  If they only go twice a year for a couple hours they will not advance much if any.

Have fun.  Once they are self sufficient skiers it gets really fun!  Along the way be prepared to log a lot of miles on flats.

jimw wrote:

I saw an 18 month old girl snowboarding on the slopes on Snowshoe last weekend.  Her father had a leash attached to her board and stayed behind her.  Her older sister (2-3 years old) was riding pretty good with her mother.  As long as they are having fun is the most important thing to consider.

Last season I saw a father(?) with a tike that young over at the magic carpet pushing the kid around.  The kid was shreiking and screaming and crying totally terrified!  I was about to say something when some other lady beat me to beraiding the guy that probably scarred the kid for life.  When they're that little you have to avoid pushing them, literally and figuratively when they aren't feeling it at that moment..

crgildart wrote:

jimw wrote:

I saw an 18 month old girl snowboarding on the slopes on Snowshoe last weekend.  Her father had a leash attached to her board and stayed behind her.  Her older sister (2-3 years old) was riding pretty good with her mother.  As long as they are having fun is the most important thing to consider.

Last season I saw a father(?) with a tike that young over at the magic carpet pushing the kid around.  The kid was shreiking and screaming and crying totally terrified!  I was about to say something when some other lady beat me to beraiding the guy that probably scarred the kid for life.  When they're that little you have to avoid pushing them, literally and figuratively when they aren't feeling it at that moment..

Absolutely!!!!!  And it is true when they get older!!! The Colonel

I now have 3 young kids skiing, and I will say this:  it can depend on the kid.  My oldest (6 now) started when he was 2 and I took him to Colorado when he was 2yrs 8 months.  And he did great and now is a reasonably advanced skier for his age.

My middle child due to how her birthday fell, didn't really start trying till she was 3, and even then didn't really get excited about it until the winter she was 4.  I didn't push her, and her 4 y/o winter (which was this winter) she progressed a ton and now honestly shows the most natural talent of any of my kids.

My youngest, who was 2 1/2 this winter, loves it and thinks it's fun, but didn't get out as much as my 6 y/o did at that age cause I am now splitting time essentially 3 ways with their different ability levels, needing help on the lift, etc.

Whatever you do, especially if they want to learn at a relatively young age, make it fun and simple.  You have to explain things in terms that they can understand and relate to, which was one of the biggest challenges of starting them so young.

Good advice from others: a lot depends on the kid.  Also important: a lot depends on the parent.  As parents we all have our strenths and weaknesses.  I've been a camp counselor and a coach, and I'm comfortable with the highs and lows and challenges of teaching your own kid.  I also have a lot of skiing under my belt.  I had my older son on skis at 3 (just the magic carpet stuff).  Next winter we started the beginer lifts/terrain. Last year he was skiing from the top of Whitetail with me, and this year he was actually leading me down some blacks in Vermont.  I've tried to focus on making it as fun as possible, and can't emphasize enough how much PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE you will need.  At all times.  Especially because at a young age their improvement is not linear.  We would have a fantastic day of skiing, he'd be cruising like a pro- and then two weeks later we would be back on the slopes and you would think he hadn't been skiing more than twice in his life.   Then sure enough, next time out: slithering through the moguls and having a blast.  And of course at a young age they will get hungry, tired, distracted, bored etc.  And this is all ok - as a parent you just have to roll with it.  Another interesting perspective is siblings and family.  This winter his younger brother, 2 and a half, would get all fired up when he saw boots, skis, Dad and brother load into the car, so we took him out on the magic carpet a couple of times.  Could he ski? No. Will he remeber any of it?  No.  Will we start all over from scratch next year?  Defintely yes.  But he really enjoyed it and we had fun as a family. Finally I'll throw 2 practical suggestions out there: get a harness (makes picking him up and loading on/off lifts a lot easier), and for that first year, at a young age, use the tip clips from lucky bums.  In my experience keeping the skis together and angled properly was the hardest thing to master, and the tip clips ease the learning curve.  Have fun!

The youngest and most athletically gifted grandson at age 10.  He started the week of his 2nd birthday.

https://www.facebook.com/skivittlerjimb/videos/10154031383415377/ 

It depends on the kid as they develop at different rates.  A PSIA Examiner gave me the following way to determine if your child has developed the necessary motor skills to be ready to learn skiing.  Take your kid in the living room and using your arms demonstrate the Pizza - French Fry motions with your arms.  Then ask them to mimic them.  If they can't do them with their arms in the living room they aren't ready for the slopes.  Of course you can take them out there and play in the snow and hold them between your legs ect. but they haven't yet developed the motor skill to be able to learn skiing.