Cost Effective Way to Teach Your Kids to Ski

Growing up I was lucky enough to be able to learn how to ski from ski instructors. In these hard ecomonic times that can be tough. It was tough for me so I starting reading everything I could on how to teach kids to ski. I have been skiing for 25 plus years and love every time I hit the slopes and I wanted my kids to get the same experience I had. I learned to ski at the age of 4 in Kitzbuhel, Austria one of the best experiences I have had and I hope to bring my family there someday to share the experience with them. I knew how to ski but was not sure I could teach my kids. After reading, watching videos and a little trail and error I believe I have found an effective way to teach your kids how to ski and keep your costs down.

First thing I did was buy 2 items to help you in teaching them how to ski. First this is buy Ski Tip Locks. They clip to the front of each ski to help your kid maintain a pizza shape with their skis. Younger kids sometimes need to build up the leg strength to make a pizza or snowplow with their skis this helps them maintain the shape. The other thing I would purchase is a ski leash, be careful in what you purchase. make sure it attaches around their waist and not their back. Attaching like a backpack could form bad habits that would be hard to break.

The age I started my kids skiing was around 4 but she wanted to and that is a big factor. Your kids need to want to ski, forcing them to do it is not going to make them enjoy it. So make sure its something they want to do. Remember to also wear the right warm clothes and proective gear, many states recommend kids wear helmets and I strongly suggest they do. Also keep in mind some states are looking to make it law that everyone wears a helmet when skiing so make sure you check your state laws before hitting the slopes.

Time to hit the Slopes Time 1:

Step 1:Take them out put their boots on and let them walk around in them to get use to how the feel. After a little walking have them put on 1 ski. have them slide it back and forth. make them do side steps like they are walking up a hill.Day 1: Now have them put on the other ski. Make sure they are on a flat part area and have hem shuffle the skis so the get a feel for how easy they are to move. Next have the side step in both skis. This will be something very useful later on because with learning how to ski comes those falls.

Step 2: Now take your pole and have them hold on and pull them around on the bottom of the hill. All these tricks help the kids get use to being on the skis cause this is all new to them.

Step 3: Final thing to do on Day is take them up the small teaching hill. Most resorts have a bunny slope but also an area that is slightly sloped and there basic teaching place. Put on the ski tip locks and bring them up to the top of that little hill. Most places let you walk in those areas. Walk with them and have them ski down the hill. Tell them to push with both big toes like they are squashing a bug. That will help them dig there edge in.

Time 2:

Step 1: This is where I recommend lessons depending on how quick your kid picks things up 1 or 2 lessons will get them to a point where you can reinforce what they have learned. What you want them to know how to do is snow plow turn. At that point lesson can be stopped for a little bit. When taking lesson the smaller the group the better. So going during the week will keep the class sizes down. My daughters first 2 group lessons had no more than 4 kids and that's a perfect sizes.

Step 2: No its time to take them up the bunny slope. No at this point put in the ski leash. Don't use the ski tips. If they need ski tips still keep them on the teaching hill. When using the leash you want it to be loose. The leash is there for you to stop or turn them if you need to. otherwise let them be in control. When the ski down the hill make sure the traverse the hill back an forth to reinforcing the snow plow turn. If they are having troubling turning tell them if the want to turn to the left they push down on their right big toe like they are squahing a bug. You do the reverse to go right. That's where teaching to push down on their big toes to grab an edge will come back into play.

Continue going back to the mountain as often as you can to teach this method. Once they can do this without you having to stop or turn them with the leash its time to conquer the green hills and getting on a chair left. Chair lifts can be tricky at a young age because height can play a roll. The best way to teach a kid to get on a lift is to tell them to let the chair hit the back of their knees and when it does just sit down. Always remind them to keep their skis straight. You know they are rady for there next lesson when they are able to ski green slopes without a leash and the snow plow turns are more frequent. At this point its time for another lesson.

Time 3:

At this point your child is ready to start the process of paraell skiing and proable a coupl years older too. I know with my little one she started to learn to paraell ski at 6 years old. We live in the New Jersey so ski season is short and weather plays a part. To put into prespective in about 10 trops to the slopes she was ready to pararell ski. I recommend a private lesson when they start to parrael ski. The one on one attention is great with this because it can be such a duifficult thing to learn. Now my daughter picked it up in one lesson but I know it will take some other kids more time. After that lesson talk with the instructed about how he or she explained to your child how to paraell ski.

They way I was taught and my daughter was to bend at the knees and take your hands and make like you sticking your thumb up. Then place them on your knees. As you start going down hill if you want to turn to the left point your thumbs to the left and as you do that make you knees do the same. As that gets more comfortable they will be paraell skiing in no time. I would recommend after this private lesson to get them one more lesson with the same insturctor. The time they are taught to pararell ski is a crucial time in how the develop as a skier.

Most people spend lots of money on lessons which is great but with these couple lessons and these basic tools. You can teach your kis to ski and hopefully love it like you do. Be patient with your kids not everyone learns at the same pace but above all make it fun. This is a sport that an entire family can enjoy. Its also a sport that can take you to new places. I love to ski and both my daughters ski with me every chance we get. I have a son who just turned 2 and I can not wait to get him on the slopes next winter. If you have any question please comment and I will do my best to answer. enjoy the sun and snow and be safe out there.