Skiing and snowboarding can be lifetime sports for people of all ages. People ski from when they can walk up until they are over 100. It’s a commonplace occurrence these days to see people in their 70′s and 80′s on the slopes. It’s so commonplace actually, that most ski resorts have stopped their practice of letting anyone over 70 ski for free on a pass! But this diversity of age is what makes skiing one of the few truly multi-generational sports.
Everyone knows it’s easier to learn skiing (and anything???) when you’re younger, so what are some tips for the parent that wants to introduce their child to skiing? I’m no child educator or psychiatrist, but my own kids both love the sport and I’ve seen many bad examples out there on the mountains… so here is my 2 cents worth.
- DO NOT try to teach them to ski yourself – It is way too frustrating for you and the child and rarely works. Get them out there with a pro and some peers who are also falling and learning in a group and you’ll have a much better environment in which they can learn.
- Invest in lessons (see #1) – Most ski resorts will take kids as long as they’re out of diapers and the lessons last all day… from 9am to 3pm… and include lunch. The pace is slow and fun (see #3).
- It HAS to be fun for them – If it’s something you’re choosing for them instead of them choosing for themselves, it won’t work. But if you’re traveling and only have a week at the resort, there is pressure to maximize that time and get them on the slopes. To improve your chances, talk to the child before about skiing and lessons and what will happen. Show them how it will be fun, there will be a ‘magic carpet’ to ride up (no lifts), fun things to ski around, and lots of hot chocolate and breaks. And if it’s miserably cold or windy one day… take a break from the mountain. One cold miserable day and your child may never go back.
- Equipment – Equipment is KEY (and part of the fun). Your child HAS to be ready for the weather that may change throughout the day with good gloves and waterproof jacket and pants… so dress them in layers with warm long underwear and a fleece and then a jacket and make sure they have sun screen on before the day starts. Also make their ski outfit fun and something they pick out themselves. Take the out the night or the morning before and play in the snow to test out the warmth and show them how fun snow can be. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY and googles too. I like a neck-gator as well that can be put around the face (no scarfs).
- Relax and plan ahead – Put out all of the clothing and gear the night before in anticipation of the big day. leave 30 mins before you think you need to in order to beat the rush and the line checking in. This way you may get to meet the instructor too!
- Your Lodging – Believe it or not, the lodging you choose in Keystone can make a difference. Ski-in Ski-out lodging obviously provides one less thing that could be a problem. No one likes to walk a long distance in ski boots carrying heavy skis… this aspect of the sport could be a deal-killer for your child. But remember that condos on the shuttle bus are good too… the thing to avoid is long walks… so condos where you load up into the free shuttle that drops you off right at the snow are good too! Avoid anything with more than a 200 yard walk for young kids. Leave those for the teenagers and adults. So most condos in River Run are also popular for kids.
- Which base area? – There are 2 ski school locations in Keystone, which is best? Both have the same instructors and quality of instruction. River Run is the new base area at Keystone and is where the gondola and most of the shops are. It’s also where most of the people are… The original base area called Mountain House is MUCH less crowded AND larger AND the learning area is right there connected with the ski school building at the base of the mountain (where it’s warmer and less windy). A condo in West Keystone or Mountain House would provide easier access to that ski School. One thing River Run has going for it though is that you can get to your lodging from the slopes more quickly and come and go as you please. So it’s a great location for kids that already know how to ski and not in ski school.
- Skiing or Boarding? – The age-old question… I say let the child choose. Kids 3-6 will have trouble learning to board and it will be much more painful for them… so push them to ski, but 6 and older, let them choose.
- kids love their teacher and their lessons if the parents and expectations are put aside temporarily
