If you love the sport of skiing, you can spend time introducing your children to the tips and techniques with which you are familiar. Teaching kids to ski isn't as easy as teaching them how to catch or kick a ball, however. You need to ensure kids are ready to be out in the cold with proper equipment as well as physically adept enough to manage walking through snow while wrangling skis.
Step 1
Introduce simple terms that kids can understand for basic ski positions. For example, kids can call the snowplough position "pizza." Use the term "french fries" when skis are side-by-side.
Step 2
Buy ski tools to help kids maintain basic ski positions. A clip that attaches the toes of the skis stops skis from crossing over, a common cause of falls and frustration. In addition, you can buy a tether that you can use not only to pull your child up small hills, but also keep him upright if he skis next to you.
Step 3
Leave your poles behind for the first few runs. Your child won't need poles until she advances to an intermediate level. Until then, they're simply another piece of equipment that might obstruct your child's movement. Because your hands are engaged with your child, it's better to leave your poles at the bottom of the hill for the first few runs until your child gets a feel for the snow.
Step 4
Start with an easy hill that doesn't require a lift. Lifts are an art unto themselves for many kids, as the speed of the lift and the height of the seat make it hard to get onto. Getting off requires good balance and a reasonable level of comfort on skis.
Step 5
Introduce your kids to the ski lift once they can balance and stay upright for a brief run. If it isn't a lift for an easy slope for beginners, let the staff know your child is using the lift for the first time, so the staff can stop the lift quickly if necessary. Lift your child onto the lift if the seat is too high, use the safety bar, remind your child to keep her ski tips up and support her off the lift to ensure that her first lift experience goes smoothly.
Step 6
Hold your child between your legs for the first few runs. While it's hard on your legs to stay in snowplough position, it helps your child conquer any fear he has of going down the hill. Release him to ski a few feet on his own and catch up to him. Use the terms pizza to help him slow down or stop. Once he has a feel for the snow and can stay upright, move to having him ski next to you holding your pole or using a tether.
Tips and Warnings
- Most ski rentals for juniors don't include poles. Most ski resorts require juniors to wear helmets. Stop when your kids are cold.
Things You'll Need
- Layered clothing
- Waterproof pants
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof gloves
- Ski helmet
- Goggles
- Sunscreen
- Ski boots
- Junior skis
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