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Winter is here with the usual snowy cold. Instead of snuggling up to the heater, couch potato style, take your child skiing! A favorite sport for many, skiing gives children the opportunity to learn new skills and stay in shape during the winter season. This thrilling outdoor sport, packed with fresh air and excitement, is the perfect remedy for winter blahs. Even more surprising, it does not have to break the family budget. Many ski resorts offer cost saving packages designed to help children learn how to ski safely.
Start with safe equipment
Keeping your child safe while skiing is the first priority. Quality equipment such as boots, skis and warm weather clothing will help ensure a safe ski experience. “One big difference between adult skiers and children is the absence of poles,” says Kevin Rogers, Manager of Canyon Sports. “It is just one less thing for a child to focus on other than their feet.” Rogers goes on to explain how important it is to “not under equip your child, just to save a buck. Ski equipment should keep up with the child’s skill level and aggressiveness.”
Ski rental shops have daily rates and some offer seasonal packages renting equipment for the entire season. “Buying the equipment is actually, very cost prohibitive.” Says Rogers, “You’re lucky to get four months out of the shoes.” Children grow and it is important that the equipment grows with them. A seasonal rental where boots, bindings and skis are checked regularly by a qualified technician keeps your child’s equipment safe on the slope. If your child grows to a larger size, the store can easily change the equipment. It is also very cost effective. Rogers agrees; “Many resorts have some form of system in place where you can ski free on a particular night or get two for the price of one. That’s why the season rental is so much better, you can pick up and go at the drop of a hat.”
Newer skis tend to be of better design. Rogers’s points out that the newer design has “actually been around for the past 11 years and there is a lot of solid science behind it.” There have been many developments since Grandma made her first run down the hill. Newer skis offer a flex or arched design to make turns effortless. The length of a ski is also shorter making the ski less awkward to navigate. Flat footed walking with the ski on is a drawback to the flex design. Caution your child. The flex ski can turn quickly and developing control is even more important.
Buying can be a good deal if the equipment is gently used. Deals can be found online and at sporting good stores for both new and gently used equipment. Use caution buying used ski equipment. No matter how good the price, the used ski equipment has to be safe for your child. Avoid thrift shop purchases since not knowing how old the equipment is can pose big maintenance problems. Ski swaps can be a better route of finding gently used skis. Hand-me down skis are also highly discouraged by professionals as not having a proper fit can be bad for your child’s skiing progress. When buying used skis look for bindings that are in good condition and a major brand that can be serviced at a local shop by a qualified technician. “Shops are certified to test only certain brands of bindings.” Says Rogers, having the binding checked is a bare minimum safety requirement.” Rogers goes on to say that “Having a qualified person perform an equipment test on the skis is more ideal.”
For saving on buying new ski equipment, look for end of season deals. “Many of the big box stores try to move their winter equipment at the end of the year,” says Rogers. Shopping for ski equipment in March can get you a good price but may pose a problem if your child has a growth spurt over the summer. Also, the on sale new equipment moves so fast that often parents are forced to pick up a piece here and a piece there and end up with equipment that is not designed to function together.
Prepare at home for skiing
Before beginning any sporting program a child should be in relatively good physical condition. Robyn Christiansen, Director of Children’s Ski Adventures Ski School, Alta Ski Resort, Alta, Utah, recommends involving children in cross training sports which offer skills that will carry over into skiing. Christiansen comments that “Gymnastics, ice skating are both sports that can carry over skills, like balancing, into the skiing experience. If you have a kid that hasn’t had much physical activity trying to ski on a mountain, well that’s a really tough day for them.”
Getting proper rest, a good meal and adequate hydration before and during skiing will ensure a better learning experience. These sensible precautions can also prevent altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen in higher elevations, usually anything over 7,000 feet. Symptoms include headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue and sleeplessness. “Unfortunately, we get kids all the time that have just had a Twinkie for breakfast!” says Christiansen. She goes on to say that parents who want to acclimatize their child to the altitude may want to consider getting to the resort early and “spending a night at 5,000 feet to get used to the altitude before coming up the mountain.”
To prepare your child at home for skiing, let her play and practice with the ski equipment. “Have a child play with and practice getting in and out of the equipment in a comfortable environment before bringing them to the snow is very helpful.” Says Christiansen. Children who know a little of what they are doing and feel comfortable with their equipment will be more confident in approaching the skiing experience.
Planning for the ski experience
Plan ahead when starting your child in skiing. Check the weather report and, if possible, go on a mild sunny day. Dress your child with layers of warm clothing that can be easily removed as the temperature changes. Avoid the big bulky ski coat as it will interfere in a child’s progress. Instead choose a sleeker coat design that will allow a child to move their arms more freely.
Plan the ski lessons around your child’s age and skill level. For a child with no skiing experience, look for an appropriate age group and skill level that will let them enjoy the experience with their peers. A small class with a good adult to child ratio is also important. For small children, two adults to every eight children is ideal while older, experienced children can do with less adult supervision.
For small tots, parents should really consider the one on one lesson. “For small children, particularly age three and up, a private lesson is really the best way to start.” Says Robyn Christiansen, director of the Children’s Ski Adventures Ski School, associated with the Alta Ski Resort. “Small children have not developed the formal discipline to work in groups. One on one instruction provides them with the opportunity to develop skills such as balancing, gliding, stopping and turning which they can then carry over into a group situation.” Alta also offers a one on one private lesson involving both parent and child where the parent can actually learn how to mentor their child while skiing. Professional instructors assist a parent in using proper ski terminology while teaching their child the basics of skiing.
Evaluating Ski Instructor accreditation and the overall safety level of a ski resort should also go into parental planning. Christiansen says “Unfortunately many instructors in the ski business have less experience with children. Christiansen recommends that parents look for a ski instructor that has obtained the Accredited Children’s Educator Status. Instructors with this type of training receive special education about the different stages of childhood development and are better equipped to instruct children in the sport of skiing.
Timing is also important when considering ski lessons. Small tots just beginning the ski experience will only be able to handle an hour or less on the slope, while older children will be able to go longer. Christiansen points out that a ski lesson appropriately gauged to a child’s individual interest and stamina is “important to the child’s skill development.” Some children can handle two hours on the slope while others will want to go longer.
“Safety is the number one priority for resorts in the skiing industry.” States Christiansen. The most important aspect of safety is the ski lift and training a child to get on and off safely. Parents should make lift officials aware of any health conditions that may impair their child’s ability to get on and off the lift. Some ski lift seats have a safety bar, while others do not. For children first learning how to ski, parents should accompany the child on the lift. The Alta Ski Resort even requires children not experienced with the ski lift to wear a bright orange vest so that lift officials can be aware that the child may need extra assistance.
Look for skiing steals, deals and freebies
Ski Resorts are in the business to attract new customers so shop around and look for steals, deals and freebies. Many resorts offer free ski nights and custom amenities for children. Resorts also offer deals on children staying free and skiing free. They also offer package deals which include the lift pass, ski rental and a ski lesson.
Ski resorts also try to customize packages for children just learning how to ski. Some ski resorts offer an outreach program coordinated through youth groups or local school districts that includes ski rental, a ski pass, and professional ski instruction. This outreach program makes it more affordable for families to give their child a chance to learn and enjoy skiing.
Realistic expectations
In Christiansen’s experience, “realistic expectations,” are most important for parents guiding their child’s skiing experience. Christiansen states that “Parents think that it is going to be so fun and they tell their child, this is going to be fun! If they could just remember the last time they were on a mountain and how heavy the skis were and what it’s like to try and maneuver those skis! Children can get very tired.” Parents should be patient and not push their child to excel, but rather let them go at their own pace and provide lots of positive reinforcement. If a child falls down, help them up and encourage them to try and try again.
Skiing is a fun and exciting sport. Children can enjoy skiing more once the basics of getting on and off the lift, balancing, turning and basic maneuvering skills are mastered. Drills to promote the basic ski skills will advance your child’s personal development. Christiansen highly discourages rewards such as candy and hamburgers, but would rather encourage parents to give positive reinforcement as a child comes to recognize their own abilities. She goes on to say that the “coolest thing is when a child says, see, I did it! I did it! It is one of the best parts of the job because; intrinsically they are recognizing their own achievement.”
More resources for parents:
Tips on how to buy and save on ski equipment for children Information on ski and snowboard vacation packages for the entire family. More advice on choosing the best ski lessons for your child. |
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