About Teaching Kids How to Ski
Skiing is an exciting and fun activity the whole family can enjoy. Any enthusiastic child can learn the sport. Keep in mind that the goal of teaching a child to ski is for both of you to have fun. With the right instructions and patience, you and your family can hit the slopes for an action-packed day of skiing.
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Instructions
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Purchase or rent ski gear the fits properly. Have your child sized properly by an experienced equipment rental clerk or store employee. Getting the right equipment will help your child stay comfortable and will make teaching her to ski more enjoyable for both of you.
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Use teaching aids like a ski leash and wedge locks to give you and your child better control over her speed. A ski leash will help keep your child close and will give you direct control over her speed. Wedge locks easily attach to your child's skis and keeps them in a "pizza" shape so they won't be able to get out of control.
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Start on a gradually-sloping hill. This way, if the child does get out of control, she will not be able to gain enough speed to get seriously hurt. Gradually move to a steeper hill as your child becomes more comfortable and improves. Take your time getting down the slope by encouraging your child to make many slow, long, sweeping turns. As she improves and begins to show good turning control, encourage her to gain more speed and take shorter, sweeping turns.
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Teach your child how to make an emergency stop. Demonstrate the process of quickly slowing to a stop by simply sitting down if speed gets out of control. Practice the emergency stop several times, until it becomes almost instinctive, at slow speeds.
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Take your child skiing frequently -- a couple days in a row if possible. Repetition and practice will help her improve quickly. Keep your child in front of you to keep an eye on her progress. That way, you can quickly respond if she needs help.
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Tips & Warnings
Enroll your child for ski lessons to get professional assistance when teaching her to ski. Ask the instructor for a progress report and about what you can help her practice until her next lesson, especially if you are not an experienced or very good skier yourself.
Take several hot chocolate breaks to keep your child's morale and enthusiasm up, especially if it's a really cold day.
Know when to stop. If your child is no longer enjoying the day because she's tired and sore, it's time to take her inside.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
