How to Know if Your Child Is Ready for Ski Poles
While poles help skiers balance and are handy in the flats, they are detrimental in those two areas for a child who isn't ready to use them.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Children's Ski Boots
- Children's Ski Poles
- Children's Skis
- Ski Helmets
Instructions
-
-
1
Make sure your child can turn using the wedge-Christie method (see the Related eHow). Until the child masters this skill, poles are not needed and are more a nuisance than a help.
-
2
Determine whether your child has the motor skills necessary to hold poles. If you end up spending a good portion of your day picking up the poles, you'll probably want to ditch them.
-
-
3
Ask your child if he or she wants poles. Odds are, the child will say yes because you have poles. If the child says no, hold off for now.
-
4
Wait until your child is 6 or 7 years old. Peer pressure may intrude earlier, but until then poles aren't necessary.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your child is starting to match skis (skiing parallel) and doesn't yet have poles, it's time to invest in a pair.
The desire for poles may come before the ability to handle them. At the very least, make sure your child can maintain a grip on the poles before supplying them.
Skiing is a physically demanding sport that can result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek the proper equipment and training before undertaking this activity.
