How to Give Kid's Ski Lessons

A few patient hours can lead to a lifetime of family outings.

Teaching a child to ski can be a frustrating and sometimes lengthy process. However, with a little patience and the right techniques, parents can invest a few, slow days on the slopes to inspire their kids to enjoy a great wintertime family activity.

Things You'll Need

• Adult ski equipment
• Child ski equipment
• Ski harness
• 2 different colored gloves

Instructions

1. Choose proper equipment. Speak with experts in the rental shop or retail ski outlet to determine the proper length and style for your child.

2. Give your child different colored gloves. Use the glove colors as directional indicators for younger children who cannot quickly ascertain left from right.

3. Develop jargon and be consistent with the terms you use. Demonstrate the proper beginner's ski stance -- bent knees and hands forward -- and give it a name your child can remember. Call the "V" stance, a wedge, a snowplow, or even "pizza."

4. Explain that widening the stance slows down the skier, while bringing the skis closer together speeds up the skier. Integrate your jargon using terms like "big pizza" for a wider stance and "little pizza" for a narrower stance.

5. Attach a tow harness from you to your child to allow the child to ski on her own while you still maintain some measure of control.

6. Use the different colored gloves to help the child learn about turning. Demonstrate how a blue glove (on the left hand) can be placed on the opposite knee to turn right, and placing the red glove (on the right hand) on the other knee turns you to the left.

7. Limit the length of each lesson so the child does not get cold, bored, or frustrated. Several short lessons are better than only one or two longer ones.

8. Above all, make the lessons fun. Laugh at mistakes and clumsy but harmless falls. Refrain from yelling or scolding. Use positive encouragement and don't get frustrated yourself. Do not make ski lessons a chore for the child.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch the weather and try to plan instructional days when it is not too hot or too cold. That will make the learning process more pleasant.

• Skiing is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of injury. Wear a helmet yourself to encourage your child to wear one, too.

• In order to teach a child to ski, the instructor must be a moderate or expert skier. Beginner skiers are encouraged to enroll their children in ski school.

References

• Teach Kids How; Teach Your Child How to Ski