My daughter Angie, 6 1/2 years old skiing black slopes fast in the Alps.....she really loves skiing and i hope she will not be riuned by masters who want her to start racing.....
I've seen too many times kids that loose interest because they started racing too young.
I think instead she should continue skking just for fun for at least an other 2 or 3 years, and only after, if she wants, start training with gates....
Any personal experience with your kids would be helpful....
Askaman, I have no experience, but can only say WOW! What a fabulous skier!
Welcome to snowHeads!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
IMO you need to get her skiing bumps jumps and fresh snow. Smooth groomed pistes (however steep) as per the video she is fine on, but you need to challenge her a lot more with variable terrain. Good skiers need to be able to cope with whatever conditions they come across.
Thanks, very soon I'll be in trouble at following her...
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I'm not quite sure what you point is?
Actually, scratch that, it is clear what your point us. But I'm not quite sure what you're pretending your point is?
But apart from that. I'm impressed. Good skills. Beautiful. Skiing.
TheGeneralist, well, I'd be proud of having a 6yo who could ski like that, wouldn't you?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
To the average one week a year holiday skier it seems amazing.....that is until I recall watching dozens of kids of the same age and upwards doing exactly the same thing in race school in GM last week with better technique.
After all it is free
After all it is free
jirac18,
Quote:
To the average one week a year holiday skier it seems amazing
I ski a bit more than one week a year, but it seems jolly good to me.
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Oh it is jolly good for sure and I'd love it if my 7yr old could ski that well but they are ten a penny among many of the local young skiers from what I have seen.
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Pedantica wrote:
TheGeneralist, well, I'd be proud of having a 6yo who could ski like that, wouldn't you?
Yes totally. I'm just not sure why he doesn't just post a message "here's a video of my daughter skiing. I'm so proud of her. Isn't she awesome"
He's sort of dressed it up as some sort of question/conundrum thing where he's pretending to look for answers to a question he hasn't really asked. Sort of false modesty type of thing.
Just come out with what you really want to say....
And just to reiterate, the kid is awesome. I'm dead impressed and I wish my 6 yearvold could ski like that.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Firstly what a lovely little skier she is. Whatever she decides to do, im sure she will be good. I can only now speak from my experience. I raced from 6-23yo. Whilst i dont regret this as such, i do wish i had varied my skiing much more. I cant ski powder too well and i am terrible at freestyle. Racing by its very nature got very competative and i would see time and time again very pushy parents and spoilt brats with 10 pairs of skis. If i had my time again i would have ventured into freestyle as the guys and girls tend to be more chilled out and enjoy their competative skiing more.
I ended up packing racing in because A) i wasn't good enough and B) If your from the UK you dont stand a chance when you go across the pond - at least with freestyle in the uk we have better fascilities.
Just my experience, others may disagree.
Whatever you do though, get her skiing veried pistes/off piste, it will really help her develop.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Hi thank you for your reply! I see your point, of course racing can also be funny, but I also have a past of racing when I was young, and after some years, even though I had some good results, I found myself envying those guys who could just ski for fun, doing off-piste and whatever they wanted instead of being stuck everyday doing gates....:rolleyes
My idea would be letting her doing some gates training and only a couple of races a year, just for fun with no pressure at all....and instead working on her free-skiing ability in any terrain and conditions.
Here in Italy skiclubs and trainers tend to focus too much on gates training and much less on fun, and I believe that at this age is too early to focus only on races and can be even counterproductive...technically
Pushy parents are the same everywhere.....
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Askaman, The main thing that she would get from a race programme would be to be able to follow the coach around the mountain and copy how they ski.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Askaman, As I said this earlier:
you need to get her skiing bumps jumps and fresh snow. Smooth groomed pistes (however steep) as per the video she is fine on, but you need to challenge her a lot more with variable terrain.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Thats good to hear. My son is nearly two, he loves the snow and his strap on skis, but he wont be pushed to do anything. Its a very fine line between hobby and chor. I alwayd think enjoyment comes from keeping it varied and relaxed, neither of which i got from racing.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
TheGeneralist wrote:
Pedantica wrote:
TheGeneralist, well, I'd be proud of having a 6yo who could ski like that, wouldn't you?
Yes totally. I'm just not sure why he doesn't just post a message "here's a video of my daughter skiing. I'm so proud of her. Isn't she awesome"
He's sort of dressed it up as some sort of question/conundrum thing where he's pretending to look for answers to a question he hasn't really asked. Sort of false modesty type of thing.
Just come out with what you really want to say....
And just to reiterate, the kid is awesome. I'm dead impressed and I wish my 6 yearvold could ski like that.
Of course I'm proud...! And happy she loves skiing so much....Just wanted to listen other parents expiriences and thoughts about starting to race at a young age, because her masters are pushing a bit too much, and I'm not sure what is the right thing to do
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
PS what Robw said above!!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
RobW wrote:
Askaman, As I said this earlier:
you need to get her skiing bumps jumps and fresh snow. Smooth groomed pistes (however steep) as per the video she is fine on, but you need to challenge her a lot more with variable terrain.
I agree, actually is what she does mostly when she ski with me... I love freeriding and i enjoy skiing with her off-piste as often as possible....and she loves it too!
To the average one week a year holiday skier it seems amazing.....that is until I recall watching dozens of kids of the same age and upwards doing exactly the same thing in race school in GM last week with better technique.
So I assume that being her avarage, you suggest to enter her in a race school to get a better technique?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Am looking forward to skiing with my daughter now.
I think your plan of some racing mixed in with other skiing and keeping it fun is good. The US seems a bit more progressive in this regard with freeride groups that seem to do it all forming at some resorts.
The US seems a bit more progressive in this regard with freeride groups that seem to do it all forming at some resorts.
Yep, and Canada too (well this side at least)
The local mountains do K-12 race programs (ie 5/6 years old+), but also there seems to be a lot of opportunity for freeride, freestyle, skiercross, etc.... Whistler (at least) has dedicated programs for these too. I guess the recent Olympics show this is producing results
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Sounds like things are more progressive here. Whilst there are plenty of race clubs at 7 it is pretty much all about free skiing (lots of terrain like Rob W mentioned) and technical drills. If they do any gates at all its because the gates are set to teach them a particular skill rather than to race train. At our local race clubs you are more likely to find the U8s and u10s in the glades, in the skier cross, on moguls, popping mini cliffs, and doing ungroomed runs than you are spotting them gate training.
I have two kids in race club; a 9 year old and an 11 year old. Both still do masses of free skiing. The U10s have very few races and the U12s have 3 provincial weekend races a year (these take a whole weekend each). I think there is a huge difference between race training (which is multi skilled, terrain, free skiing, technical free skiing as well as some gates and a lot of team building) and gate training. Race training is aimed at developing all round skiers, a love for the sport and it aims that if they continue they eventually become good racers. I am not sure what excessive gate training at 6 is good for. Speak to the race clubs and find out what they do. there should be more than one choice of philosophy and program type.
Both my kids love the ski race programs they are in; my 9 year old loves the sociability and skiing round with al her friends. My 11 year old is just focussed and loves that.
What does your daughter think? I for one wouldn't put a kid in a program unless they wanted to do it; particularly a race program.
From your post it sounds like you really want her to end up being a racer; certainly she has all the race gear already (which is really unusual; well here anyway). If you want her to end up racing its about quality time on snow at this age with varied terrain, not about gates. Early results are not indicative of anything in racing.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Quote:
What does your daughter think? I for one wouldn't put a kid in a program unless they wanted to do it; particularly a race program
I was wondering when somebody was going to ask that. For myself, I wouldn't ever put her in for race coaching unless she'd been begging and badgering me for months.
This, after talking to a French friend, who lives permanently in the Alps and had a very strong 6 year old son - the race club coaches were desperate to get their hands on him, but my friend had seen too many kids, good little skiers and athletes, pushed through their fear barriers and dropping out, feeling a "failure" For the very few with the talent to get to the top - and a certain attitude to life - all very well but it's not what I'd want for one of my kids or grandkids.
Super little skier.
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jirac18,
Quote:
Oh it is jolly good for sure and I'd love it if my 7yr old could ski that well but they are ten a penny among many of the local young skiers from what I have seen.
A bit harsh, but true.
Askaman, she seems a tidy little skier, but she needs to be able to do that in ALL snow conditions, on ALL terrains and in ALL weather.
And then still think it´s fun.
Keep her free skiing, and if you do decide to get her some gate training prepare yourself for years of enjoyment, but also bitter disappointments, injuries and frustration.
She will have to give up almost all her free time, and more than likely you yours.
It is expensive, it is exhausting, but it has given my kids some of the best days in their lives.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Probably does sound a bit harsh but true enough. The test of whether she is likely to be good enough for the future maybe as a pro racer is to throw her in with all the others and see where she sits. Sporting life these days in particular is make or break at quite a young age. Too young in my opinion and she may develop even more later on. The flip side to the softly softly take it slowly argument is maybe later in life when she hasn't made it as a pro racer she may say "I could have done it if only I'd been pushed harder". It's a fine balance to find.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
stuarth wrote:
meh wrote:
The US seems a bit more progressive in this regard with freeride groups that seem to do it all forming at some resorts.
Yep, and Canada too (well this side at least)
The local mountains do K-12 race programs (ie 5/6 years old+), but also there seems to be a lot of opportunity for freeride, freestyle, skiercross, etc.... Whistler (at least) has dedicated programs for these too. I guess the recent Olympics show this is producing results
Yes, and this is what I also tend to think is better: a progressive, multidiscipline, free, approach.
At this stage is better to focus on fun, freeskiing, off-piste and, only occasionally, gates and races.
Tehcnically speaking I've heard that kids who only did race training from a young age didn't develop a strong technique because limited to what they have to do within gates.
But also we must deal with each individual carachter....and my daughter seems to be pretty competitive:rolleyes
She ski with a couple of masters in 2 different resorts, sometimes with other kids, sometimes with just an other friend, sometimes only with the master, and I asked them to spend as much time doing all sort of skiing: jumps, off-piste (that she loves of course), freeskiing and only occasionally, gates.
Both of these masters are "gently" suggesting me to start thinking about races more seriously, of course they are not pushing me or her in any way, they still spend time skiing any kind of terrain.
I only think it's a bit early, she will have time to race, eventually seriously if she'll be good enough, in the next years, but nothing serious until 9 - 10 yo.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Where do her interests lie? Speed and gates? Have you let her try the park yet?
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
stuarth wrote:
meh wrote:
The US seems a bit more progressive in this regard with freeride groups that seem to do it all forming at some resorts.
Yep, and Canada too (well this side at least)
The local mountains do K-12 race programs (ie 5/6 years old+), but also there seems to be a lot of opportunity for freeride, freestyle, skiercross, etc.... Whistler (at least) has dedicated programs for these too. I guess the recent Olympics show this is producing results
Yes, you can see from these results, in different disciplines, that Usa and Canada approach is paying, this is exaclty what I think too.
That said, I'm not trying to plan the sport future of my daughter because I think or hope she could become a champion...... I only want her to have fun and become a strong skier in any condition.
Honestly, as I also had a past of ski racing, and I had the luck of skiing with kids that became world-cup race winners, I have my opinion: it's hard enough to stand out in ski racing even for those who live 365 in a mountain resort, so for those, like us who live in a city and can ski "only" 40 - 50 days a year, it's a "mission impossible" unless someone shows an incredible natural talent and decide to move to a mountain resort to live...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Askaman, she seems a tidy little skier, but she needs to be able to do that in ALL snow conditions, on ALL terrains and in ALL weather.
And then still think it´s fun.
Keep her free skiing, and if you do decide to get her some gate training prepare yourself for years of enjoyment, but also bitter disappointments, injuries and frustration.
She will have to give up almost all her free time, and more than likely you yours.
It is expensive, it is exhausting, but it has given my kids some of the best days in their lives.[/quote]
Hi Kooky, she already ski on all terrains, in every snow conditions, she loves off-piste and with any kind of weather (this year otherwise we couldn't have skied at all, as it's snowing and stormy since janary.. )
She really loves skiing, and never complain about weather, cold, whatever, and I'm really really happy about this attitude.
And I'm also convinced that this kind of approach helped her develop lot of confidence in any situation, and also confidence with speed, she's always under control, even if sometimes she's too fast for my personal taste...
From what you say I assume you had racer kids, so your suggestions are most welcome: you know what it means to plan 10 or more races a year, in different locations, warm up runs at crazy early hours, ski tuning and so on...
Don't you think it's better to wait at least an other couple of years, if she'll be really keen to race? I don't think it will make a big difference, I think instead that she could become an even stronger skier in the meanwhile
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
gryphea wrote:
Sounds like things are more progressive here. Whilst there are plenty of race clubs at 7 it is pretty much all about free skiing (lots of terrain like Rob W mentioned) and technical drills. If they do any gates at all its because the gates are set to teach them a particular skill rather than to race train. At our local race clubs you are more likely to find the U8s and u10s in the glades, in the skier cross, on moguls, popping mini cliffs, and doing ungroomed runs than you are spotting them gate training.
I have two kids in race club; a 9 year old and an 11 year old. Both still do masses of free skiing. The U10s have very few races and the U12s have 3 provincial weekend races a year (these take a whole weekend each). I think there is a huge difference between race training (which is multi skilled, terrain, free skiing, technical free skiing as well as some gates and a lot of team building) and gate training. Race training is aimed at developing all round skiers, a love for the sport and it aims that if they continue they eventually become good racers. I am not sure what excessive gate training at 6 is good for. Speak to the race clubs and find out what they do. there should be more than one choice of philosophy and program type.
Both my kids love the ski race programs they are in; my 9 year old loves the sociability and skiing round with al her friends. My 11 year old is just focussed and loves that.
What does your daughter think? I for one wouldn't put a kid in a program unless they wanted to do it; particularly a race program.
From your post it sounds like you really want her to end up being a racer; certainly she has all the race gear already (which is really unusual; well here anyway). If you want her to end up racing its about quality time on snow at this age with varied terrain, not about gates. Early results are not indicative of anything in racing.
Hi GRYPHEA, thank you for your comments and sahring your experience. I like to hear about different approaches and compare them to what happens here. As said I'm also convinced that too much gate training at this age can be counterproductive and I totally agree with you that early results are not indicative of anything as you said, that's why I think kids need to keep on developing their skiils in every different conditions and situations until they are at least 9.
Then if they're really keen to race, they might start!
It may sounded that I want her to end up being a racer, instead, for many reasons, I would prefer not.
I'm sportman, and I like competition, I believe that it helps also in all other aspects of life, but honestly we also must face the reality: as I wote in a previous post "it's hard enough to stand out in ski racing even for those who live 365 in a mountain resort, so for those, like us who live in a city and can ski "only" 40 - 50 days a year, it's a "mission impossible" unless someone shows an incredible natural talent and decide to move to a mountain resort to live..."
Said that I'll be happy if SHE will decide to try racing, when she'll be grown enough to understand what racing really means!
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jirac18 wrote:
Probably does sound a bit harsh but true enough. The test of whether she is likely to be good enough for the future maybe as a pro racer is to throw her in with all the others and see where she sits. Sporting life these days in particular is make or break at quite a young age. Too young in my opinion and she may develop even more later on. The flip side to the softly softly take it slowly argument is maybe later in life when she hasn't made it as a pro racer she may say "I could have done it if only I'd been pushed harder". It's a fine balance to find.
Hi Jirac18, thanks, her master last year made her compete in a GS against 2 years older kids and she did a very good result, that's why he is convinced that she might become a good racer, he believe she has a natural attitude for speed and because she shows to be competitive even against boys...
Said that I also believe that even if we wait an other couple of years before thinking about a race programme, it can't make a real difference: I've seen lots of very good young kids, winning their competitions at a young age, got lost when they grew.
So, if she will become a really good skier, she will have time to develop racing skills from the age of 9-10, and have some fun and results.
I don't even think about pro racing, for the reasons explained in a previous post...
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Well if she does decide herself with your guidance to start racing at a later age and try to develop to pro racing she has an excellent base to go from for sure.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Askaman, thanks for sharing - brought a smile to my face to see someone clearly enjoying themselves so much and with no little talent. And at such a young age
Not got much to add constructively, other than to broadly agree with jirac18's last post.
Good luck and do keep us appraised of her progress.
I'm sportman, and I like competition, I believe that it helps also in all other aspects of life, but honestly we also must face the reality: as I wote in a previous post "it's hard enough to stand out in ski racing even for those who live 365 in a mountain resort, so for those, like us who live in a city and can ski "only" 40 - 50 days a year, it's a "mission impossible" unless someone shows an incredible natural talent and decide to move to a mountain resort to live..."
Said that I'll be happy if SHE will decide to try racing, when she'll be grown enough to understand what racing really means!
A couple of things:
I don't think the only reason to ski race is because you think you have a chance of making it big time. Its just like any other sport; there is a benefit to taking part. Health, fitness, learning to lose, camaraderie, development of a life skill etc. Otherwise my kids wouldn't be doing it.
John Kucera and Jan Hudec are both city boys.
I am not sure what a 'master' means or what racing means in Italy, but consider putting her in by age 8/9. At a young age, the fastest girls tend to beat the fastest boys; that's what I have observed anyway, not until around U16 are the boys then emerging as faster (or some U14 depending on growth spurt). Some kids also learn on the curve differently, learn earlier but then stall etc. So I think her 'master' is just trying to encourage as many kids into racing as he can, after all that's how you get results (on national scale) by playing a numbers game.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Askaman,
Think about skiing like schooling. Lots & lots of basics, skiing all the mountain in all conditions, & specialise later on.
The boys I ski with are currently 7 & 8 and we have done 8 races in 2 seasons and very few 'gates' in between the races. We basically decide we are going to do a local ESF slalom/GS race and rock up without any special preparation. The boys think the races are something special and really enjoy them but there is no pressure to enter them.
Here's a little video of a 9 yr old Italian skiing a few gates
you know what it means to plan 10 or more races a year, in different locations, warm up runs at crazy early hours, ski tuning and so on...
haha, try 40 races a year all over Europe as an 11 year old!
Why not just start off at local ski club level, I don´t know what country you are in, I may have missed it I am dim like that, but the kids here in Austria start off at about her age in "fun" local club races using stubbies not gates, these races progress to area races when they are about 8-11,(Bezirkscup)and if you are good enough there, you get picked to race the county races(Landescup) aged 11-16.
Then of course if she is still interested and doing well, she would go onto FIS races which are NOTHING like the other races, that´s when sh! t gets real.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
stewart woodward, wow, he´s great!
After all it is free
After all it is free
I had a very similar situation with my son when he was also 6 (he's now 19). He had first weeks skiing one on one with an instuctor in Selva. At the end of the week the instructor took it upon himself to find our chalet to let me know that Joseph was the best Brit skier he'd ever seen (the instructor was well the other side of 50) and that if he were Italian, he'd be shipped off to the national elite ski school. After sniffing back the tears of pride, I then thought 'now what?' We live in west Cornwall.
At that time, no real help was available from the various UK ski bodies as we live miles from any UK facilities. I wasn't well off enough to buy a place in the Alps, so it was hard going.
I took Joseph back to Selva as often as I could for specialist training. He was allowed to train with the village FISI kids until the Mayor got wind of it and a couple of the instructors offered to train him in their spare time for free.
The upshot being, we have some great friends in Selva and my 19yo son is an bloody good recreational skier.
Last edited by After all it is free on Thu 27-02-14 20:25; edited 2 times in total
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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kooky wrote:
stewart woodward, wow, he´s great!
+1! Wow!
I obviously have no personal experience of this but was asking my (ex-racing) instructor about her 7/8 year old daughter the other day… she said there's a "fun club" and a "race club" and that her daughter was in the "fun" one and was all over off piste these days and that was her new thing. I asked her if she thought she might take up racing and she said "I have no idea, she's having fun and it's totally up to her - I've no idea what she'll want to do but she can decide later."
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