 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all!
Our family is planning a week in the Canadian Rockies this Christmas, and should have three days to have an introduction to skiing. Our kids are 7 and 8.5, and this will be their first time.
Our eldest has some minor mobility problems, and I’m not sure what the best approach will be for him, so thought I’d try and tap into the experience and knowledge on this forum.
What I mean by mobility problems, is that he has been a toe-walker for many years. He can walk normally, but if he stands still and on flat feet, his feet angle outwards. He can hold them parallel at slightly wider than hip-width apart, but it’s not natural or easy for him. To snow plough might be really difficult too.
He currently sees a specialist so I will ask them for any specific exercises. I’ll also call the ski school at Lake Louise to see what they think.
I am just worried that it will be really difficult for him, and that he’ll struggle too much to have any fun. And we just want them both to have an enjoyable introduction to this sport, we’d love to do it more often if the boys take to it!
Any advice/experiences etc gratefully received.
B.B.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Any indoor ski places you can take him to for some introductory lessons?
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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?
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Not that I know of, no 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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snowboard
If his feet are angling out, then when he goes to snowplow, that is going to put a lot of pressure outside his knee angling in when plowing.
I still toe walk now & have one foot that angles out. The long term 'damage' is that I have cavus foot for that foot (high arches). One of the things wrong with my knee is that I have a twist in my tibia & this puts my whole leg out of alignment.
May be worth asking the specialist about foam roller or stretching exercises to combat cavus foot in the long term so the calves muscle & tendons do not end up short (& cause heel lift = more toe walking!).
For snowboarding, he'd be in a perfect duck stance & able to bend at the knees to what feels naturally for him.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Oh thank you so much Mr Egg! That gives me some hope!!
Would you think with only three days, he’d have a chance to pick it up and have some fun?
Now that an indoor slope was suggested, I’ve found one 3hrs away. If I can fit in a lesson before we go away I will!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Agree with the recommendation to consider snowboarding. The only person I’ve suggested they didn’t stick with skiing was a guy in a beginners session who simply couldn’t get his skis in to his inside edges because of very bandy legs. He was never go to find it easy to learn to ski so there was little point in storing up endless frustration when switching to boarding would largely bypass the problem.
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I'd add that I've done some work with various Canadian ski schools and they're excellent, especially with kids, so even if you're not sure, they'll sort it out with a smile.
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My youngest is a toe walker on his right foot and we found that ski boots actually helped hold his feet in place - he's not so pronounced now and we only ever had physio type stretching exercises from the GP. He was only 3 when he started skiing though so his joints were probably a lot more flexible when he was learning.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Thank you all so much for your replies, I’m feeling much more positive about it all!
So we saw his specialist yesterday, and she agreed that snowboarding is the way to go, and also like you’ve said, will probably be really good for him. She’s given us some inserts for his boots so that he doesn’t have to hold a true 90 degree angle, so should be a bit more comfortable.
The school at Lake Louise also got back to me, and suggested private lessons. The structure is that we pay the one amount ($300 for 2 hours) and up to five people can be in our lesson.
I am thinking that I should put both boys together in a private lesson, but that they should do it without MrBB and I.
Initially I thought to do a full day lesson on day 1, with half day lessons on day 2 and 3, with time for family boarding in the afternoon (or head home if everyone’s exhausted/over it).
Would your suggestions be to do a two hour private lesson on the first morning, then follow up with a group lesson that afternoon?
And on days 2 and 3, private or group in the morning, and family boarding time in the afternoon? I’m not sure what to do...
Thank you all so much, I really appreciate your assistance.
B.B.
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What do you prefer?
For those who have mobility issues, group lessons are not always practical.
Private lessons are better as you can rest assured that the instructor will be able to help. Or you can join him in a private lesson on the slopes. I strongly recommend private ski lessons for now. Find out as much as you can about the lessons. Talk to the ski instructor who should be able to provide good responses to your questions.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| BeginnerBunny19 wrote: |
I am thinking that I should put both boys together in a private lesson, but that they should do it without MrBB and I. |
As it's their first time on snow, I think it would be best for both boys learn to board - for kids, boarding's way cooler than skiing anyway 
Once they are competent (which takes a remarkably short time for some kids on boards), you can go out as a mixed ski / board family
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