Just about every ski area in the United States offers instruction for children who want to hit the slopes. Many areas even feature ski schools. Ski schools typically offer lesson packages for kids, ranging from one to five days. There are several considerations to take into account before and after choosing a ski school.
Choosing
If you have more than one local ski school to choose among, pick the one where the staff for the kids' school is different from the staff that teaches adult skiers. Children learn differently from adults, and a separate staff is more likely to use child-specific teaching methods and take into account the fact that a child's level of coordination and center of gravity are different from an adult's. Seek instructors who are accredited through a national organization, such as the Professional Ski Instructors of America. Some PSIA instructors hold specialized accreditation for teaching children. The ideal school will divide programs into age groups of up to 4, ages 4 to 6 and ages 7 to 12, which takes into account age-related developmental differences.
Readiness
Kids should be at least 4 years old when they enter ski school. Most ski schools require a child to be potty trained. Also consider whether your child has separation anxiety, whether he is used to being in groups such as at a daycare, how he plays and shares with others, how well he communicates with adults, and whether he has been exposed to snow or winter conditions.
Reservations and Early Arrival
If you want to bring your child along for a day of skiing, you need to make a reservation at the ski school. Spots often sell out fast. Many schools offer all-day programs, from 8:30 or 9 a.m. to 3:30 or 4:30 p.m. Get to the slopes early so you have enough time to get your child's lift ticket and gear, and go through the school's sign-in process. If your ski area does not allow reservations, arriving even earlier is wise.
Parental Participation
If you want to watch your child during her lesson, it's best to "spy" on her. Children often pay more attention to instructors when their parents are not present. Arrive to pick your child up about 10 minutes before the end of the ski school session so you can get a review of the lesson. Teachers often gather their classes at the end of the day to discuss the lessons learned.
