Getting a kid excited about skiing is one thing.
Keeping them excited? That’s where most parents get it wrong.
The mountain can be an intimidating place for young beginners. Layers of gear, clumsy boots, cold toes. Parents get pumped about skiing all the time, but too few know how to teach kids the right way.
Until they do, skiing doesn’t stand a chance.
So how do you prevent that excitement from fizzling?
Make sure everything’s handled perfectly beforehand. Gear. Instruction. You name it. When children ski like pros, they love skiing like pros.
As tedious as prep work sounds, imagine how rewarding it’ll feel to see kids hit the slopes and not want to come down.
Let’s dive into how to get young ones addicted to skiing the right way.
Here’s a Preview of What’s Covered:
- Why You Should Get Your Kids Into Skiing
- Age Recommendations for First-Timers
- Importance of Proper Gear and Set Up
- Lesson Plans That Stick
- Maintaining Excitement Between Trips
Why You Should Get Your Kids Into Skiing
Did you know…
Winter sport participation reached an all-time high last season. In 2023-2024, over 30 million Americans participated in snow sports — and the group seeing the largest increase? Children.
Participants under age 18 and ages 18-to-24 saw the biggest jumps in skiing and riding activities. This speaks volumes about where snow sports are headed.
Kids love to ski because it empowers them. Builds confidence. It’s a rush like no other. Nothing will stop them once they fall in love with skiing.
For finding the right gear, a reliable ski shop online is the best place to start. Parents who take the time to shop the best skis from a well-reviewed retailer online save loads of frustration.
Oh, and teaching them how to properly ski? Kids are natural learners. Their attention spans are better than most. Give them the right tools. Watch them fly.
Age Recommendations for First-Timers
As young as age 3.
You read that right. There’s no lower age limit to get kids interested in skiing. Of course, 3-year-olds aren’t hitting the Blues just yet. Expectations have to be realistic.
Between ages 5 and 7 is typically when kids really start to grasp the fundamentals. Why?
- Fine motor skills have developed enough to keep up with the movement.
- Kids don’t know how to fear anything, which works to their advantage on snow.
- The learning window is small at this age. They pick things up quickly.
Bear in mind that forcing a child to learn before they’re ready can backfire. Incorrect gear sizing? Getting cold on their first trip? That can put a kid off skiing for years.
Impatience only leads to frustration.
As long as things are taken slow, there’s no reason to wait until a child is older.
Importance of Proper Gear and Set Up
The wrong gear sends children down a path of misery.
Take it from anyone who’s ever rented waterproof ski pants and received a pair with faulty seams. Or glove liners that looked like glove liners but weren’t. Skiing should be an enjoyable experience, which is why gear is so important.
First-time junior skiers need:
- A properly fitting helmet. Non-negotiable.
- Waterproof gloves or mittens. Gloves are fine, but mittens are warmer.
- Sweat-wicking base layers. No cotton.
- A good ski jacket and pants. Keep them dry.
- Correctly sized skis for their height and weight.
Skis. Let’s zoom in on skis.
Choose the wrong skis and the whole day falls apart. Skis that are too long for kids are cumbersome — a handful, really. Skis that are too short make it difficult to maintain balance and speed.
Children notice the difference immediately. Visiting a ski shop online is the quickest way to compare junior ski options based on height and weight.
Tip: Rent before you buy. If a child absolutely loves skiing after a couple of seasons, consider investing in their own skis. Most kids grow too fast to stress about ski sizing during the learning process.
Lesson Plans That Stick
Private lessons or group lessons? Morning sessions or afternoon? What order should beginner concepts be introduced?
Great questions with answers parents tend to overlook.
Start with group lessons. Kids learn more from being around other kids their age. They feed off each other’s energy. Group lessons also allow for skiing to be fun. Most ski resorts have a children’s ski school staffed with professionals.
Regardless of which route is chosen, keep these tips in mind:
- Book lessons in the morning. Everyone’s fresh and undistracted. Likewise, the snow is softer because it hasn’t had all day to harden.
- Limit the first day on the mountain. Children’s attention spans grow, but most won’t make it past three hours of skiing before wanting to sit down. Keep it fun.
- Let the instructor do their job. Parents don’t need to hover at the bottom of the hill. Let children know there will be a friendly face waiting at the lodge.
- Set goals, then celebrate when they’re reached. A big high five when a kid learns how to brake goes a long way. They did something most people can’t do.
Approximately 70% of skiers and snowboarders take lessons when visiting the slopes. Professionals know how to structure effective lessons. Learn from the best.
Maintaining Excitement Between Trips
This is the part parents usually fail to consider.
Day One is never the problem. Kids are filled with nervous energy leading up to their first lesson. The anticipation alone keeps them excited.
How about Day 2? Day 3? Where does the excitement end?
Here’s how to keep kids stoked between trips:
- Watch ski videos at home. YouTube is a goldmine of kid-friendly ski content. Powder reels will have them hooked.
- Let them pick their gear colour. They’ll ski better when they feel like the gear is their own.
- Discuss the next trip well ahead of time. Want them pumped for next February? Start telling them about the trip in November.
- Pat a kid on the back for small accomplishments. Sliding down a green run without falling may be easy for some. It’s everything to them.
- Connect them with other young skiers. Ski clubs offer yearly memberships for just this reason. Learning with others builds confidence.
Gear becomes an issue as children grow. A pair of skis that fit last season may not fit this season. Having a reliable ski shop online makes checking size and upgrading equipment painless.
Wrapping Things Up
Kids are natural learners.
Give them the proper tools. Watch them soak up information like a sponge.
Breaking down each part of the process makes skiing with children far less difficult than it may seem.
Steps to Get Kids Stoked on Skiing
- Don’t rush the process. Age 3-7 is ideal for beginners.
- Buy properly fitting gear from a quality ski shop online.
- Enroll in group lessons and keep days short.
- Celebrate every achievement.
- Build excitement between trips.