Basic Procedures to learn WITHOUT ski instructor !

AllyG,

You have given me such great ideas.

We have courses for young parents on ski introduction geared to children.
No one talks about "delicate" issues you mention, yet they are critical.

You have no idea the problems we have with young male ski instructors who have young 4-9 year girls who must go to toilet. What do you do ?

Leave class on slope and go with girl?

Allow child to go alone to chalet? ( Never never )

Get help!

I will have to prepare an administrative manual for such "delicate" issues.

Thanks for idea Ally.

Hi Pavel,
I have no idea how a young male instructor should cope with this scenario, especially if the young girl is incapable of sorting out her own clothing in the toilets and needs help.

I have been in this situation myself, helping a friend's young son in the toilet (with buttons etc.), and it does feel a little strange! With your own kids you don't think twice about it. And, naturally, I brought him into the Ladies, but perhaps a male ski instructor wouldn't be very happy bringing a young girl into the Mens (and I don't suppose her parents would be that pleased either, when they heard about it!).

Perhaps all classes of "young" skiers should have two instructors. One male and one female. This would allow either emergency to be dealt with appropriately and the class should never be left alone.

An alternate may be to have someone of each sex in a position on the mountain to be able to quickly reach a class, and have them called by radio should the need arise. Sort of like a "Pee Patrol" :twisted:

Far Queue,

You would make a great ski school administrator.

That is exactly what happens in some ski resorts that are well managed.

Small children are "sorted" according to age, ability level AND sex. Girls get the young young girl skiers.

However there are "free" instructors roaming about who are there to help out if; skier crying for mother, crying to got to toilet, too cold, too hungry, too tired ( it does happen). One call for help and rescue is on the way.

Here is a better child's ski school. They have one slope run just for children below 10. No adults allowed. On edge of run at every 4 meters or so you have young ski instructors ( actually candidates for next year) whose job is solely to help young young skier get up, put skis on, wipe tears away, give a small candy or drink etc,,,. The instructor who has 8-10 small children can not stop class, walk up to where one of his "student" fell and take care of all ; hugs, tears, skis while class is waiting. Smart school geared just for children.

Parents are even not allowed to walk up to "cheer up" crying child. You learn more than skiing at this school.

Few ski schools geared just for children.

At this school, all discarded teddy bears, stuffed toys are dropped off at a special bag near car parking and then used in a "fantasy forest" which has hundreds of such stuffed animals tied to tree branches. Children love to go there. They forget about skis and look at all the animals in trees. Not all children can go there. First you must show that you can turn and stop. You prize is going into the "fantasy forest". Yes no adults allowed also!

pavelski wrote:
Few ski schools geared just for children.

I am guessing that those that do run schools like this have a tendency to turn out exceptional skiers who go on to represent their countries.

It is interesting, but there is something very similar to what you describe in Tignes La Lac, but it is run by a hotel specialising in looking after families with children. They utilise a single short run and have their "nanny" staff spread out to assist all the children as required. There are also some excellent animal related gates etc. for the children to ski through/round. All of the children seem to really enjoy it, and the parents can simply go off and enjoy their skiing knowing their children are being well looked after and taught. It would be brilliant of more resorts could get hotels etc. to pool resources and have camps like this pretty much wherever you went.

Ski schools are managed by ex-racers, ex-ski instructors or great skiers who have very knowledge of marketing and real needs of different skier needs.

Teaching children to ski ( which is the future of skiing ) is very much different that adults,,yet very few ski schools gear themselves to this group. A day care person could be better "director".

The school I mentioned has 500 ski instructors. Many just adolescents who want to be full time instructors but are ,"playing their dues" with basic child care duties. They get free season passes, great uniform and great status in other ski centers.

Imagine 500 instructors and then how many children!

The danger is not the children,,it is the proud parents who are walking about at base area hoping to take pictures of 3 year old. I have seen some sitting in the middle of slope waiting for,,,,,with no concern to skiers missing them or bodies falling just in front.
I promise to take pictures to show others! Strange sights.

Few ski school have specific child oriented classes, yet parents want such service.

What is sad is seeing parents in fur coats watching kids while they drink their coffee in chalet or are doing work on laptop while kids are skiing. Great role models. That is another story.

We have aterm for such parents. Contract parenting. They contract others to; teach skiing, teach swimming, teach manners, teach arts etc,,,,while they make the money to pay for all this. In my country these children are called, "enfants roi " !

Enough said.

The problem is parents ..... all they have to do is to ensure their children have a Pee / Poo before they leave the accomodation, It is not that difficult :shock:

Ian,

Love that, "all they have to do",,,,,phrase.

I showed this answer to several parents who have children skiers.

They asked me to pass this along to you.

A few "matters" not to forget in order to prepare a child for skiing.
-emergency note up to date
-gloves dry
-socked dry
-jacket pockets all closed
-lip protection on and roll in pocket
-broken snaps fixed
-bathroom visited,,,,(twice)
-googles cleaned adjusted snapped to helmet
-skis tuned and waxed
-lift ticket,,,,,,where is lift ticket,,,,,,,Frank where did you,,,,,,,,
-wipes in INSIDE jacket pocket
-money for hot chocolate
-emergency letter in jacket ( What Ian you do not have an emergency letter !!!!)
-ski center map
-Instructors name tag
-extra juice
-whistle ( what Ian no emergency whistle for your girl !!! )
-favorite Teddy Bear in back pocket
-treats ( nutsm raisins,,,,)
-Mommy's cell phone number if,,,,,
- Allergies list in case of,,,,
-final instructions on where to ski and where NOT to ski

Ohhhh Ohhhhh forgot,,,,,,
-ski pass
-clickers ( what you have no idea what they are )
-Gummy block ( What you have no idea what a gummy block is ????)
-
Finally
Last visit to toilet
Last check and lift off count down.
Room key,,,,,,who has room key??????

And so on.

I can see it now Ian,,,your wife is reading this and says ( under her breath,,,,,ALL THEY HAVE TO DO,,,,,softly,,slowly with that gaze in her eyes!!!! )

Careful Ian!