While I may not be a skiier due to nagging knee injuries, I love “going skiing” for the weekend. It’s probably the only time I ever really like the snow. There’s just something about the vibe of a ski weekend…the cold air and flushed cheeks, the fresh air, the cross-country skiing and tubing. And, of course, the après ski festivities.
Lucky for me, Dr. G. and Buddy love snow sports, too — snowboarding and skiing, respectively. We try to get Buddy into ski lessons each winter and he’s definitely improving…so much so that he and his dad are able to hit a few easy trails together.
Now that Mimi is 4, we figure it’s time to introduce her to skiing– especially since we have a ski weekend coming up at the end of the month. But she is initially quite wary and skeptical when it comes to new experiences or situations, and she has yet to take any sort of formal ski lesson, so I’m a little nervous about how it will go over. Even though I think she enjoys the snow and cold more than her brother, her stubborn yet cautious personality could make for a, hmm, challenging situation.
Or, then again, she might surprise us and go the opposite route.
Neither scenario is ideal, which is why I reached out to the awesome team at Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont, which was recently voted the #1 kid-friendly resort in the Eastern United States and Canada, according to SKI Magazine.
I figured I might as well go straight to the experts for advice on how to begin to get Mimi out on the slopes. At Smugglers’ Notch, kids as young as 2.5 can enjoy their first ski experience at their slopeside nursery, plus their Snow Sport University hosts all-day camps for little skiers and snowboarders beginning at age 3. How cool is that?
Smugglers’ Notch nursery director Shelly Schaffer and Ski Sports University director Harley Johnson (both parents themselves, as you can clearly tell!) had such fantastic tips for introducing your preschooler to the joys of skiing and riding that I wanted to pass them along to you, too!
5 Tips for Introducing Your Young Child to Skiing or Snowboarding
1. Start with dress up time! Make children aware that snowsports clothing and equipment can feel silly compared to their everyday experiences. Put a fun twist on it and incorporate their winter wear into their costume play at home. Let them clomp around in their ski or snowboard boots at home or once you’ve arrived at your destination (for this reason, it’s worthwhile to pick up rental equipment the night before ski school). It’s easy to add a bit of fun to a child’s ski and ride experience with a helmet cover – there are many designs available, from animal themes to princess crowns.
2. Choose cozy clothing layers for comfort and warmth. Stay away from pure cotton for underlayers; instead, consider a cotton/polyester blend or polyester long sleeved shirt topped with a fleece or a wool blend sweater. A wind and waterproof jacket as your child’s final layer ensures warmth.
3. B is for balaclava … and bibs. While a knit hat offers warmth for snow play, when skiing, a thin microfleece balaclava covers the head, ear and neck and fits well under a helmet. Bibs are better than pants at preventing snow from creeping inside. Make sure the bottoms of bib pants are wide enough to fit over top of the ski boot.
4. Keep little fingers and toes warm. Avoid gloves … they are not as warm as mittens and it takes a lifetime to get little fingers in the right holes! Mittens must be waterproof and user-friendly. Those that Velcro half way up the hand, slide on with ease and are long enough to cover the wrist are great. Putting mittens on before the jacket will help keep the mitten in place. If you purchase long mittens make sure that they stretch over the jacket. For little feet, look for long socks that cover the entire calf and fit well so that nothing bunches under the ski boot. A wool blend is best for warmth and wicking. No cotton!
5. Chat with your child’s instructor – you are partners in developing a confident young skier or rider. A good ski school supports a children’s development by offering a pace comfortable to the learner, with a review of the skills mastered before progressing, and instructors welcome parents’ questions at the end of the day. Instructors also can offer suggestions to parents on how to model or reinforce the lessons learned, either through conversation or fun on-slope activities.
Their final parting advice? Once your child’s skiing or snowboarding experience is over, carry the good memories forward by continuing to talk about it in a positive manner. Celebrate your child’s achievement and make a big deal about how proud you are of them for learning a snowsport!
Love that.
I can’t wait to share our experience (including Mimi’s entrée to skiing!) at Smugglers’ Notch with you in early February! You can also follow along on our Smugglers’ Notch adventures later this month on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Have you introduced your preschooler to winter sports?
Disclaimer: While we will be receiving complimentary lodging and skiing at Smugglers’ Notch Resort, all opinions and copy are (as always) my own. Photos credited as appropriate.
Rachel Tyree says
You should take lessons, too! I was afraid because of my knees and I actually had a great time two seasons ago. No knee problems – the equipment has improved so much and when skiing correctly, knees shouldn’t be a problem. At any rate, I agree with you, and out here in California, we are so excited to actually have snow, snow, snow falling for the first time in 4 years!