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Nowadays most major ski resorts offer excellent ski schools for
children from toddlers to teens. Teaching children is an investment
in the future with little skiers turning into big, avid ones later
on. Resorts also realize that skiing is a family sport in which
parents increasingly are bringing their small children along for
the holiday ski experience.
Investigating ski schools is worth the time. A good, reputable
ski school will give your child the best tools to learn properly.
Your travel agent will help you select schools in which the instructors
have credentials in such organizations as the Professional Ski
Instructors of America (PSIA).
Although ages vary, many ski programs will admit children ages
4 through 16. Resorts like Stowe Ski School offer complete lesson
programs for kids of all ages, such as day care for 6-week to
6-year-olds at Spruce Mountain, half-day ski play for tots, and
day-long mountain adventures for kids aged 9 to 12. They also
offer a Teen Extreme clinic during holiday weeks for intermediate
and advanced skiers. Sessions at Stowe for all ages cost approximately
$25 with a lift ticket.
For snowboarding lessons, the minimum age is usually 6. At Snowmass,
never-ever boarders ages 8 to 19 receive three days of instruction,
lift tickets, and equipment for $199. Kids 5 to 7 are in groups
no larger than three; $160/day covers semi-private lessons, equipment,
and lunch.
SKI SCHOOL TIPS:
- Children can start to ski quite young, but it really is up
to them–there's no use pushing a 3-year-old if he/she is
not interested.
- Most resorts will suggest you try giving the school a one-day
chance–if it doesn't work, then switch to child care.
- Full-day lessons may be preferable to a two-hour option, so
your child can have enough time to enjoy all the activities–learning,
playing, snacking, videos, and resting.
- Provide your child with a safety helmet, and expect that a
3- or 4-year-old will be on skis no longer than 60 to 80 centimeters.
Make sure that you can tighten the ankle area on boots, and
it is also quite acceptable to put an extra pair of socks on
small children, unlike adult fittings.
- Most children do not need ski poles–they can be lethal
weapons.
- When the big day arrives, leave plenty of time for registering
at ski school and then say good-bye quickly. Leave the experts
in charge, and head for the nearest chair lift or cozy fireplace.
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