Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Young skier

profile picture
SwaggerJester5
Posts: 277 - Karma: 62
My daughter is 2 years old and im wondering if there are any parents out there that has started teaching there kids to ski and what age? I am just curious about what age and some techniques?
Jul 14 2011 6:36PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeffmnicholas
Posts: 821 - Karma: 42
Im not a parent but ive taught lessons to 2 year olds, my advice would be to not take them skiing at that age unless they really want to go, or else they will hate it. just my opinion but it cant hurt to try i guess
Jul 14 2011 6:44PM
0 0
profile picture
.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
I am not a parent nor do I intend to be one anytime soon. That being said, from the stories my parents tell me, they started me when I was two, but it was very light stuff. We would ski down the bunnyhill and eat bagels. Only half day stuff. As we got older, we were bribed to stop complaining of the cold via gummy bears. Best thing ever btw. I know this doesnt give techniques, but it helps with the complaining.

Spark notes-Keep mouth full to stop complaining.
Jul 14 2011 7:37PM
0 0
profile picture
SwaggerJester5
Posts: 277 - Karma: 62
Thanks guys, she has a mind of her own that's forsure but I will just ask her and bribe her bc that's a great idea.
Jul 15 2011 12:02AM
0 0
profile picture
b.e.n.
Posts: 120 - Karma: 91
im actually a 13 year old, and ive literally been skiing since i could walk...I agree with all answers, if she loves it i think its a good idea to encourage her to prgress at a young age, or else she will hate it...like other people already said
Jul 15 2011 12:26AM
0 0
profile picture
Fuknhipster
Posts: 283 - Karma: 133
Thug Life
Jul 15 2011 1:02AM
0 0
profile picture
EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
I started at the wee age of 2
Jul 15 2011 1:09AM
0 0
profile picture
rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

My friend is an instructor and has said that the benchmark they usually use is if the kid can stand up, stable, on their own.

And apparently using a leash or carrying them around between your legs teaches them all sorts of awful, awful ski habits that are very hard to 'teach out' so might be best to send them straight to lessons, at least until they can make a wedge.

Jul 15 2011 1:10AM
0 0
profile picture
bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
I disagree - I've been a ski instructor for two years teaching mostly 4-5 year olds, and often it's hard to get them to make it anywhere without a leash - plus it's a hell of a lot safer than letting your 2 year old off on her own without a "safety net". It's usually best to let them get a feel of balancing on a pair of skis using a leash, and then teaching them to wedge imo.
Jul 15 2011 1:41AM
0 0
profile picture
rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Depends on the learning slope - combine a 2yo's weight + tiny skis + a near-flat slope and they can't really go faster than an adult's walking speed, but it teaches them the basics of standing on skis, balance, even very basic stopping and turning.

Using a leash teaches them to rely on that, they end up skiing extremely backseat. If anything they don't learn to fall properly, which is pretty fundamental when you're learning to ski.

Jul 15 2011 1:58AM
0 0
profile picture
Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Click for larger image
Jul 15 2011 2:01AM
0 0
profile picture
tall_pants
Posts: 663 - Karma: 446
The younger they start the bwtter
Jul 15 2011 2:02AM
0 0
profile picture
GBS
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 33
Yeah, maybe wait a bit. If she has a good time the first time skiing, she will probably like it and go again. But if she has a bad time, gets hurt or something bad, she will probably not like it.
Jul 15 2011 9:19AM
0 0
profile picture
EC-Skier
Posts: 3899 - Karma: 668
im not a parent, but i started skiing when i was three. My parents never put me on one of those leashes, i had some wooden pole that i was supposed to hold onto as my dad held on the other end so i didnt go too fast. This thing was a great idea because i could either hold on and have someone control me, or i could let go and haul ass, let me make my own decisions in skiing. Also make games outta shit, my dad and i used to ride the chair, and the person who guessed the right number of chairs got hot chocolate. Just make shit fun
Jul 15 2011 9:28AM
0 0
profile picture
Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
so before i could even walk my dad was putting me in one of those baby carrying backpack things and skiing down the hill with me on his back. so before i could even walk or talk for the most part i loved "skiing" bumps, cause it was fun and bumpy and stuff. when i was old enough to start skiing on my own i already loved it and wanted to gogogoggo and try everything i could, which helped me learn really fast. so if you want your kids to develop a great affection for skiing, maybe carry them around with you and let them have a good time. it initially skips the boring learning part which so many kids get stuck behind, dealing with instructors and lame hills while mom and dad go and charge pow lines, and teaches kids how much fun it can be first, before you teach them how to do it.


does that make sense?
Jul 15 2011 9:55AM
0 0
profile picture
-GL-
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 37
i started skiing when i was like 10, and wish my parents started me way earlier, i would say dont force her but i think if she sticks to the sport she'll thank you in the future for sure for starting her at a young age
Jul 15 2011 9:57AM
0 0
profile picture
FLBP
Posts: 1794 - Karma: 310
this. Kids are like puppies, you just gotta start slow and be super patient. Rewards and cheers go a long way. If they associate skiing with good memories that'll develop the passion.
Jul 15 2011 3:49PM
0 0
profile picture
802Valley
Posts: 625 - Karma: 309
i taught 2 yr olds
this is my advice take your kid maybe once or twice every other day to the mountain for about 30 minues and just try to get hem to walk around in the boots and then try skiis,
dont rush them suddenly into skiing
ease them and little by little they will get better
Jul 15 2011 7:10PM
0 0
profile picture
a.wall
Posts: 339 - Karma: 30
2 is a good age.

if she can stand, she can ski. just dont force her into it cause then she wont want to ski ever again
Jul 15 2011 7:12PM
0 0
profile picture
bleevus
Posts: 1308 - Karma: 2,048
my parents started me at eleven months. a week after i learned ho to walk. you can start teching at almost any age.
Jul 16 2011 11:16AM
0 0
profile picture
bustinthejus
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 74
This for sure. If the kid gets tired/cold/doesn't feel like skiing anymore, let her do something else! It could be as simple as going inside for a cup of hot chocolate, or, for something a little more "productive", play tag or something with her in her ski boots.
Jul 17 2011 3:27AM
0 0
profile picture
awesomeness17
Posts: 639 - Karma: 27
Not a parent but my brother who is 2 started skiing this year and he really liked it so my dad got him to ski on that leash thing. It seems like it works great. He is already starting to go from top to bottom (At ontario). I learned when I was 3 same with my older brother. My sister started at three too. It's all about if it's enjoyable or not
Jul 17 2011 4:05AM
0 0
profile picture
Doug.
Posts: 2236 - Karma: 457
I got taught when I was 2.

Not sure why I posted this. Its not helpful to you at all. Just wanted my 1500 post :)
Jul 17 2011 4:19AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)