Homeboy’s Skiing Blog

We have three kids in our family. One of them is my four years old son. I am going to take him skiing with me on next season, and I have been thinking “what should I know beforehand”. This short article points out few things to remember when you srtart skiing with a child.

When my son was two years old, I considered taking him to skiing. I was not sure if he is old enough, so I spent some time in the Internet to find it out. I came into conclusion that it is too early, and therefore I decided to start later. First of all, it is a fantastic idea to start skiing with your son or daughter! Going together with the whole family could be a great idea, but make sure you know what you should know.

L et’s start with the equipment. You need at least:

- quality clothing for your child, such as Gore-Tex to resist water

- skiing equipment (skis, boots, etc,)

- helmet! I would NOT recommend skiing without a helmet. That was before 2000, now it is different. Use the helmet!

- time (take your time, you need it)

- patience (yes, sometimes kids prefer doing something else instead of skiing, also learning takes time)

Now what to do? If this is your first time skiing with your child, make sure

- he/she wants to go skiing

- he/she is physically ready (usually 3 years is enough, but I prefer starting at 4 because muscles are stronger)

- he/she gets an instructor, in case you are not able and/or skillful enough to teach

If it is cold out there, check every 30 minutes your child is not freezing. Wear good clothes but be ready to go inside as often as needed. Make sure you’re child is wearing a helmet. If you are using someone else’s skis, make sure the bindings fit well. If you are afraid that your child is not able to control speed, you can use a “leash”.

Respect you’re child’s wishes. Go for lunch if he/she asks for it. Don’t bring him/her into places that are risky an or too difficult for your child, such as moguls tail. Consider bringing your child to a ski-school, it could help a lot.

Enjoy your time with your child!