We have three kids in our family, and one of them is my four-year-old son. I am going to take him skiing with me next season, and I have been thinking “what should I know about skiing with a child“. This short article points out few things to remember when you start skiing with your child.

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

What do you need when you start skiing with a child?

Let’s start with the equipment. In order to start skiing with your child you need at least:

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

- skiing equipment (skis for kids, boots, etc,)

- helmet! I would NOT recommend skiing without a helmet. The helmetless days were before 2000, now it is different. Use a 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 recommend starting at 4 because muscles are stronger)

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

Other things to know when skiing with a child

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 your child is wearing a helmet. If you are using borrowed 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 your 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 or lessons: it could help a lot!

Enjoy your time skiing with your child!

Photo: sara_atkins