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How to Teach My Son to Ski

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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
NS,

This thread has been a long time coming, and it's an understatement to say I'm excited for it. My son is turning 3 in February, but he's strong and speaking well enough that I am ready to get his feet on snow next week when we finally move back to the mountains after a 3 year stint in the desert (not a total loss, he's a hell of a swimmer now at the age of 2!). I know many of my OG NS friends have kids of their own or have taught youngin's at the local (probably Vail owned now...) hill.

What's the best way to get him going at such a young age? We will be living in North Ogden, Utah and frequenting Snowbasin, so he'll get lots of reps each week and have easy access to a magic carpet and a small lift-accessed beginner section. I obviously want to do it like we did with swimming: lots of exposure, but lots of fun. I think we want a harness for him with a handle on it to help pick him up or grab on to if he gets moving too fast, but we've never done this before.

What have you guys got for me? How do I win at this?
Dec 28 2020 12:48PM
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,578
brosasakiThere are kits to attach hooks to your poles and loops to their tails; this lets you control the "tilt" and rotary of their skis and helps to communicate to them the more complicated kinesthetic concepts at an age where they really don't have any way to understand otherwise (or the strength/coordination to enact them). I use them in my instructing with very young children and they work like a charm. "hook-ease", I think


That sounds like an accident waiting to happen. A dollar store hula-hoop is the best tool, tip-ties second best.
Apr 28 2021 8:45PM
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mrk127
Posts: 1803 - Karma: 16,312
OP, make sure you don’t push it on him too young if he’s not feeling it. My parents tried at 4 and I hated it, gave me a couple years and I’ve never stopped skiing since
May 1 2021 4:29AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
mrk127OP, make sure you don’t push it on him too young if he’s not feeling it. My parents tried at 4 and I hated it, gave me a couple years and I’ve never stopped skiing since


He already knows how to ski, I bumped this to say thanks to everyone.
May 1 2021 12:18PM
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ColoradoSki
Posts: 206 - Karma: 519
A little late. But I’m still a teen and have taught many kids on a tip clip and a harness that fits in the backpack. So those helped me. Also patience and a good attitude and snacks
May 2 2021 2:09PM
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doomquasar
Posts: 145 - Karma: 945
This makes me so glad to read!! I hope the kid is ready for the season to start again :D he’s gonna rock it this year.
Dustin.NS fam!

Thanks so much for the advice this year guys, we wrapped up our last two days of the year with a huge break through. My son decided he wanted to try to ski by himself without Mom or Dad helping him (we had the most success letting him hold our ski pole horizontally in front of him and practicing pizza-french fry all season). I have to be honest, I didn't really think he was quite there yet and could only go a few feet before stopping. I was wrong, he skied the entire way down the ~1/3 mile bunny hill without help and followed my turns along the way. After doing that one time he asked to go to the top of a real lift (he's barely 3 so at first we said no). Every run he kept asking, so we gave it a try and while it was definitely hard for him, he had a lot of fun and was stoked that he tried it.

Hopefully this helps anyone else out there looking to start your kids out! It took us almost exactly 1 season going 2-3 times a week, where he would ski a few runs and then hang out with cocoa and snacks. Mom and I tag teamed a few laps at a time when we wanted to ski ourselves. He really enjoyed it and we just let him dictate the pace. It takes patience on your end, but if your kids are like my son, they'll let you know when they are ready and go for it. He doesn't respond well to being pushed, he just shuts down and gives up entirely. When it's his idea, I won't stop until he is tired because he learns a ton at those times and has a great attitude. Again, hope that helps. I know the advice in this thread helped us tremendously, there's not much better than skiing a whole run with your kid for the first time with no falls or tears, or having them wake you up and ask to go skiing (even if I knew perfectly well he just wanted cocoa that day).
Nov 12 2021 1:04AM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,354
I love how this thread comes full circle!!!!!! This season, I'm taking my son out for the first time.

So far the hardest part is finding ski boots for kids three and under. I know we're pretty much stuck with 70cm skis, but boot sizing is so damn confusing. I almost pulled the trigger on new size 15's (smallest size I could find), but there's gotta be better stuff out there on the used end.

...I volunteer as tribute to keep this thread going
Nov 23 2021 9:58AM
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gfanuckaa
Posts: 538 - Karma: 292
my little dude is 3 and we are in this same boat this season - mostly focused on letting him enjoy the mountain and have fun and not trying to force it too much. After some backyard runs last year my expectations are like a few goes on the bunny hill, snack break and try for a few more and thats the day. hopefully with repeat days like that we start to see some learning and still having fun. but any tips are always appreciated.
Nov 23 2021 11:32AM
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Twinjibber77
Posts: 6239 - Karma: 2,354
gfanuckaamy little dude is 3 and we are in this same boat this season - mostly focused on letting him enjoy the mountain and have fun and not trying to force it too much. After some backyard runs last year my expectations are like a few goes on the bunny hill, snack break and try for a few more and thats the day. hopefully with repeat days like that we start to see some learning and still having fun. but any tips are always appreciated.


How did you go about acquiring boots for the lil fella? My dude is in like a size 8 toddler shoe and the only *new* boots in the store were a "15". I measured him at about a 14/14.5 on the chart in the shop.

One of my friends got their son 15s at age 2 and use(d) them until he fits into 18-22 Full Tilt Growth Spurts.
Nov 23 2021 12:07PM
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gfanuckaa
Posts: 538 - Karma: 292
Twinjibber77How did you go about acquiring boots for the lil fella? My dude is in like a size 8 toddler shoe and the only *new* boots in the store were a "15". I measured him at about a 14/14.5 on the chart in the shop.

One of my friends got their son 15s at age 2 and use(d) them until he fits into 18-22 Full Tilt Growth Spurts.


Yeah its tough for the gear, some shops are great and allow free season rentals for kids this young but sizes are limited you def have to try multiple places
Nov 24 2021 7:57AM
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TheDriftingDad
Posts: 151 - Karma: 922
gfanuckaamy little dude is 3 and we are in this same boat this season - mostly focused on letting him enjoy the mountain and have fun and not trying to force it too much. After some backyard runs last year my expectations are like a few goes on the bunny hill, snack break and try for a few more and thats the day. hopefully with repeat days like that we start to see some learning and still having fun. but any tips are always appreciated.


I took my daughter last year when she was 5. We went on weekdays and took things slow. Only went 4 times and by the end of the season she was taking on all the runs at our little mountain by herself. I would lap through the park while she went down the run next to the park and we would meet at the bottom.

I highly recommend getting one of those edgie wedgie things, their legs are not strong enough to keep a good pizza all the time so this prevents tip crossing so they can focus on keeping the front of the ski weighted and not leaning back


Nov 24 2021 9:22AM
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BigbadjerqDad
Posts: 14 - Karma: 282
I think there are a couple companies making 14 Mondo boots, maybe it only goes down to 14.5. Those adjustable boots are OK, but by the time they are in the bigger sizes there are better choices, pretty much every kid on a program has the blue and orange 4 buckle langes. If you think it's hard finding ski boots in small sizes they don't even make aggressive inline skates smaller than a size 1 (which is like what 9 year olds wear).
Nov 24 2021 9:32AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Twinjibber77How did you go about acquiring boots for the lil fella? My dude is in like a size 8 toddler shoe and the only *new* boots in the store were a "15". I measured him at about a 14/14.5 on the chart in the shop.

One of my friends got their son 15s at age 2 and use(d) them until he fits into 18-22 Full Tilt Growth Spurts.


My wife was able to find some really small boots by using ski swap/Craigslist/KSL style websites. There is a ton of dirt cheap used gear out there for kids, so when he grew out of them over the summer it was no big deal to find him another $20 pair that fits him.
Nov 24 2021 5:37PM
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.Roockley.
Posts: 3864 - Karma: 4,078
TheDriftingDadI took my daughter last year when she was 5. We went on weekdays and took things slow. Only went 4 times and by the end of the season she was taking on all the runs at our little mountain by herself. I would lap through the park while she went down the run next to the park and we would meet at the bottom.

I highly recommend getting one of those edgie wedgie things, their legs are not strong enough to keep a good pizza all the time so this prevents tip crossing so they can focus on keeping the front of the ski weighted and not leaning back




Make sure you do a couple of runs without it occasionally, so they don't get used to the feeling/making a habit of just pushing feet apart to slow down. Get them used to pushing the heels out and keeping toes in
Dec 19 2021 6:42PM
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Bronk
Posts: 20 - Karma: -106
The younger you start them the more they progress when there older, wish I coulda started skiing a few years younger, especially park skiing
Dec 19 2021 8:51PM
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TheDriftingDad
Posts: 151 - Karma: 922
Thats a good idea, my daughter actually wanted to try some runs the last time without them
.Roockley.Make sure you do a couple of runs without it occasionally, so they don't get used to the feeling/making a habit of just pushing feet apart to slow down. Get them used to pushing the heels out and keeping toes in
Dec 20 2021 8:08AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
.Roockley.Make sure you do a couple of runs without it occasionally, so they don't get used to the feeling/making a habit of just pushing feet apart to slow down. Get them used to pushing the heels out and keeping toes in

I second this. My son is on his ~5th day of the year and it only took a run or two to get back to where he left off last year (he's 3 and turns 4 at the end of February). He's already trying to push himself and try stuff like jumping on his skis (like an inch in the air but he feels like Superman so it's hilarious). He noticed other older kids didn't have the Wedgie and he has asked to do runs without it sometimes, so we are probably half and half now.

It's amazing how fast they learn and I'm blown away that he wants to ski until 4 every time I take him with little more than a snack break. At least for my son, if I let him just do his thing then he'll let me know when he wants to take it up a notch. He doesn't respond well to being pushed much (like I do), so I have to remind myself that he's in charge of the pace. That said, I've told him to slow down twice now and had to try not to smile when I did it. These little ones get fearless quickly!
Dec 20 2021 11:15AM
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TheDriftingDad
Posts: 151 - Karma: 922
Dustin.I second this. My son is on his ~5th day of the year and it only took a run or two to get back to where he left off last year (he's 3 and turns 4 at the end of February). He's already trying to push himself and try stuff like jumping on his skis (like an inch in the air but he feels like Superman so it's hilarious). He noticed other older kids didn't have the Wedgie and he has asked to do runs without it sometimes, so we are probably half and half now.

It's amazing how fast they learn and I'm blown away that he wants to ski until 4 every time I take him with little more than a snack break. At least for my son, if I let him just do his thing then he'll let me know when he wants to take it up a notch. He doesn't respond well to being pushed much (like I do), so I have to remind myself that he's in charge of the pace. That said, I've told him to slow down twice now and had to try not to smile when I did it. These little ones get fearless quickly!


That's awesome! I always have to remind myself to not push her, but she does great compared to some other kids I see at the hill. Right now her struggle without the wedgie is her leg strength when the snow gets choppy and she will cross her tips because she can't keep the skis straight in the chop. She gets right up though so no complaints there
Dec 20 2021 11:26AM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
TheDriftingDadThat's awesome! I always have to remind myself to not push her, but she does great compared to some other kids I see at the hill. Right now her struggle without the wedgie is her leg strength when the snow gets choppy and she will cross her tips because she can't keep the skis straight in the chop. She gets right up though so no complaints there

That sounds totally reasonable, and being able to get up is a huge plus. My son’s biggest struggle is getting up if he falls down, he’s probably 50/50 on if he can do it. If she can do that I think you’re really nailing it
Dec 20 2021 12:58PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9283 - Karma: 60,896
Dustin.That sounds totally reasonable, and being able to get up is a huge plus. My son’s biggest struggle is getting up if he falls down, he’s probably 50/50 on if he can do it. If she can do that I think you’re really nailing it


ugh dude don't tell him that, now she knows how to beat him in their upcoming slvsh match
Dec 20 2021 2:45PM
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TheDriftingDad
Posts: 151 - Karma: 922
Dustin.That sounds totally reasonable, and being able to get up is a huge plus. My son’s biggest struggle is getting up if he falls down, he’s probably 50/50 on if he can do it. If she can do that I think you’re really nailing it

Thanks! It sounds like you are doing it right too! Her just being bigger has made the biggest difference. She can even sometimes put her ski back on if it pops off
Dec 20 2021 3:50PM
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KaedenDelong
Posts: 71 - Karma: 639
BigPurpleSkiSuitIf its anything like teaching your significant other to ski, you'll want to go up on a warm spring day, bring lots of snacks and fun stuff and prepare for a lot of bunny hill action.


Did that today with my little sister. Was a pretty good time
Dec 20 2021 7:34PM
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