So many things to consider - heres another few! It is generally accepted that its not until 5 or 6 that childrens muscles and psyche are developed enough to learn properly.( About the age we start school).
I dont think there is any harm in them pottering around prior to that age, but, as previously stated, they need full time attention and monitoring.
And a helmet is extremely heavy on a toddlers already top heavy body!!!
What age did you first put your little ones on skis?
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Started by Daisy in Ski Chatter 08-Dec-2008 - 27 Replies
Brucie
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
"Better to remain reticent and have people think one is an idiot, than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt"
Daisy
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
Thank you all, I agree with everyone's thoughts. I think we may let her try them on and see, definately not ski school, more a case of if you thought it was appropriate for her to at least try to stand on them.
I still argue with the eldest 2 (8 & 11) to get them into ski school which I do think is a long day, 2hrs in morning and 2hrs in the afternoon. As my eldest says 'Mum it is a family holiday so I want to spend it with my family!' Fair comment!!
Thank you all.
I still argue with the eldest 2 (8 & 11) to get them into ski school which I do think is a long day, 2hrs in morning and 2hrs in the afternoon. As my eldest says 'Mum it is a family holiday so I want to spend it with my family!' Fair comment!!
Thank you all.
RossF
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
They wil be better for ski school, keep em in there! Or maybe just do mornings...
AB
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
My eldest boy started at 8 and my middle son at 6, both on dry slope. My daughter was 5 and started on snow. Both sons did not ski on snow until they were 16 & 10 respectively.
You don't have to start really young to become a good skier. My son who did not touch snow until 10 is now 18 and ranked top 15 in the world for his age in Downhill & Super G. My daughter is now 14 is ranked top 10 in GB for her age in GS & Super G.
We live in that well know alpine region of Norfolk!!!!
We were actually advised not to let them ski until at least 5 as their bones and joints would suffer at a later date as any younger their joints would not be strong enough.
You don't have to start really young to become a good skier. My son who did not touch snow until 10 is now 18 and ranked top 15 in the world for his age in Downhill & Super G. My daughter is now 14 is ranked top 10 in GB for her age in GS & Super G.
We live in that well know alpine region of Norfolk!!!!
We were actually advised not to let them ski until at least 5 as their bones and joints would suffer at a later date as any younger their joints would not be strong enough.
Jan I Stenmark
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
As I'm sure L., DaveMac & others will confirm the ski school in a certain resort of our acquaintance ;) starts accepting kids from 3 ½ yrs. Our oldest spent the whole of last season teaching them and almost without exception they ended up their week in the ski school race followed by a prize giving to celebrate their achievements!
The very few who didn’t make it were those who’s parents refused to leave the instructors to do their job. The kid would then not know who to listen to or look at. In some cases the parents were actually walking onto the slopes to interfere, needless to say this led to failure.
Every parent knows the pain of leaving their child alone in a strange environment especially if that child is a pre-schooler … But instructors are well trained and will be far better equipped to ensure a safe and fun introduction to skiing than well meaning but interfering parents.
My best advice is to introduce yourself to the instructor who will be looking after your child and check on class times and collection locations , introduce your child to the instructor, say “Bye!” to your child, turn around and walk away without looking back. When you do this your child will be clear that the instructor is in charge and will look to the instructor for guidance from the first moment. This is crucial for the child’s safety and happy progression. Once you’re out of sight you can nip around the corner, grab a hot chocolate, coffee, Glühwein etc and watch the whole lesson from afar. The temptation to wave, callout encouragement or stand right on the very edge of the lesson is understandable but one that really must be resisted.
Phew, nearly a rant there, but I think I saved it (I hope) ;)
Anyway, good luck with your choices and have a great holiday!
Jan
The very few who didn’t make it were those who’s parents refused to leave the instructors to do their job. The kid would then not know who to listen to or look at. In some cases the parents were actually walking onto the slopes to interfere, needless to say this led to failure.
Every parent knows the pain of leaving their child alone in a strange environment especially if that child is a pre-schooler … But instructors are well trained and will be far better equipped to ensure a safe and fun introduction to skiing than well meaning but interfering parents.
My best advice is to introduce yourself to the instructor who will be looking after your child and check on class times and collection locations , introduce your child to the instructor, say “Bye!” to your child, turn around and walk away without looking back. When you do this your child will be clear that the instructor is in charge and will look to the instructor for guidance from the first moment. This is crucial for the child’s safety and happy progression. Once you’re out of sight you can nip around the corner, grab a hot chocolate, coffee, Glühwein etc and watch the whole lesson from afar. The temptation to wave, callout encouragement or stand right on the very edge of the lesson is understandable but one that really must be resisted.
Phew, nearly a rant there, but I think I saved it (I hope) ;)
Anyway, good luck with your choices and have a great holiday!
Jan
Skisuit
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
Our daughter was three years and 8 months old but we taught her ourselves just to see if she liked it.
We then put her in ski school just for a morning sessions the following year.
You will need to see if the ski hire shops have ski boots and ski's to fit your little one at that age. My daughter has only tiny feet and there was none that was small enough to fit until she was three.
If you do manage to kit your little one out, I would reccomend that you teach them yourself. Just get the little one standing on ski's and pull them along. If they get on alright then you can just let them glide and have fun on a fairly flat slope.
We then put her in ski school just for a morning sessions the following year.
You will need to see if the ski hire shops have ski boots and ski's to fit your little one at that age. My daughter has only tiny feet and there was none that was small enough to fit until she was three.
If you do manage to kit your little one out, I would reccomend that you teach them yourself. Just get the little one standing on ski's and pull them along. If they get on alright then you can just let them glide and have fun on a fairly flat slope.
Mummy to george
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
Hi, we have had our children on ski's since they were 2 years old , although the very good ski school we use when away does not take children to teach until they are three, my daughter spent the mornings in creche and the afternoons on the baby slopes at ski school with the other youngsters and she loved it. They are now 8 yrs (son) and 5 yrs Daughter and are both accomplished skiers. Both my children are very adventurous and love the slopes, ski schools are normally very good with small children and understand they are bored easily and tire quickly but they have a good long lunch break where you can all meet up and have hot food and drink and a rest.
Ski school is a must and don't let your kids convince you otherwise!!!! It also gives you chance to be adults and ski without worrying, more often than not you will see them skiing on the slopes. (my kids generally go past me just as I've landed ungraciously on my bottom)
If your child is small for their age, or gets very tired these are things to take into account, find a good creche for them but certainly I would say there is no harm in hiring them some baby ski's and a good helmet and taking them down the nursery slopes.
It's excellant for their coordination and balance and spacial awareness.
Good luck and happy skiing.
Oh and don't forget to have fun , make snow men and snow angels and take or hire a sledge.
Ski school is a must and don't let your kids convince you otherwise!!!! It also gives you chance to be adults and ski without worrying, more often than not you will see them skiing on the slopes. (my kids generally go past me just as I've landed ungraciously on my bottom)
If your child is small for their age, or gets very tired these are things to take into account, find a good creche for them but certainly I would say there is no harm in hiring them some baby ski's and a good helmet and taking them down the nursery slopes.
It's excellant for their coordination and balance and spacial awareness.
Good luck and happy skiing.
Oh and don't forget to have fun , make snow men and snow angels and take or hire a sledge.
Mike from NS
reply to 'What age did you first put your little ones on skis?' posted Dec-2008
Put them in skis as soon as they can stand up and you can find gear to fit them. :shock: Twenty years later they will thank you :!:
All the other skiers, on whatever hill you ski, will thank you when they see you pay really close attention to your children by being sure they are not in harm's way (aka: a target in the middle of the run).
OK - can you tell? I have no little ones to be concerned with - my wife says I'm enough for her to handle :mrgreen:
Just because they may be in the ski school doesn't mean complete safety. I'm sure I'm not alone in seeing the mother duck - duckling trail on the slopes. You know - the ski instructor who insists on leading the "class" of 3 foot little ones straight across a trail. So the question becomes: What turns a ski trail into a bowling alley?
But have fun :!:
Mike :wink:
All the other skiers, on whatever hill you ski, will thank you when they see you pay really close attention to your children by being sure they are not in harm's way (aka: a target in the middle of the run).
OK - can you tell? I have no little ones to be concerned with - my wife says I'm enough for her to handle :mrgreen:
Just because they may be in the ski school doesn't mean complete safety. I'm sure I'm not alone in seeing the mother duck - duckling trail on the slopes. You know - the ski instructor who insists on leading the "class" of 3 foot little ones straight across a trail. So the question becomes: What turns a ski trail into a bowling alley?
But have fun :!:
Mike :wink:
Age is but a number.
Topic last updated on 20-December-2008 at 23:05