Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

Skiing with Kids

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I've just come back from my first father and son trip and we both had a blast. My son takes lessons at XScape and was comfortable crusing around on blues and the odd easy red. Me on the other hand, I was a bag of nerves constantly watching where he was going worried he'd crash etc. Coupled with the fact I've recently switched back to skiis after a long time on a board some days we're pretty stressful.

I'm guessing this is completely normal but any parents with tips for skiing with kids much appreciated
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Pretty much, I skied with my daughter for several years. You only have to wait a few more years though and he'll be far better than you worrying about whether you are capable of following him down ....... Happy

Skiing with others with similarly aged kids works well.
ski holidays
 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?
@Vessigaud, I was feeling petrified skiing behind my daughter when there was a drop to the side of the run. She was doing it in a lovely snake no trouble it was just me feeling a paranoid mum.


Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Mon 16-02-15 13:08; edited 1 time in total
snow report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Yes, I yell at my daughter when she gets too near the edge Laughing she's on her first school ski trip in Austria at the moment. I really shouldn't have opened the Avalanche Death thread rolling eyes
snow conditions
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I wish I could help you, but I can't keep up with my little blighter! Mind you, we always go to the same resort, so we have well known rendezvous points on each run where he will stop and wait for me to catch up. Embarassed
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
I was terrible when we too our children at New Year scared my son 7 was going to fall of the edge. Toward the end of the week I was a little more relaxed but not much. When my daughter 10 came back from ski school telling me she was having to go on the lifts on her own because there wasn't anyone else to go with her as they needed to go with the yon get ones. Now that petrified me. We are going again in 5 weeks and like you @Shimmy Alcott, I really shouldn't read the Avalanche posts.
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Children are probably a lot safer on the slopes than they are hurtling down the autoroute at 136 kph in a car.
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Especially if the driver is one of those who boasts of getting from Calais to resort in 8 hours. wink
snow conditions
 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.
@pam w, I know it wasn't logical for me to feel so worried as I happily skied the same line myself previously.... That knowledge didn't stop me feeling worried.
ski holidays
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@NickyJ, nothing wrong with being concerned parent - the harm would be done if we stopped them skiing etc because we worried about them.
snow conditions
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I spent the first two skiing holidays with my son (aged 8/Cool following him down every run just screaming "Turn!!!!!!, Turn!!!! Turn!!!" in a doomed effort to stop him straightlining everything. Very Happy
latest report
 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.
On a different note, I am amazed how much skiing with my children improved my own skiing. For the first time ever I had to concentrate on taking the perfect line, exaggerating my movements, maintaining a steady speed, etc. I think I learned more from it that they did.
snow conditions
 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
Quote:

I spent the first two skiing holidays with my son (aged Cool following him down every run just screaming "Turn!!!!!!, Turn!!!! Turn!!!" in a doomed effort to stop him straightlining everything.


Laughing My daughter did that with her 4 year old at Christmas. Ella was on a gentle nursery slope and we thought she was capable of turning, but she just straightlined it and my daughter - a good skier - had to hurtle after her and take an arm, slowing her down. She expected Ella to be petrified and tearful but no - she'd done it deliberately. She got a right telling off and was told that unless she did turning the next time, she'd be off the slope for the rest of the holiday (not just the day).

She was very chastened. I took her up the drag again and Mum stationed herself part way down. Looking fierce. Ella turned nicely all the way down the slope and was rewarded with her choice of cake at the patisserie - her best skiing to date.

However, had she ignored the instruction to turn, and keep her speed down, they definitely would have stopped her skiing. Out of control kids are an absolute menace (somebody I know was maimed for life by one). It's down to parents. Twisted Evil
ski holidays
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
foxtrotzulu wrote:
I spent the first two skiing holidays with my son (aged 8/Cool following him down every run just screaming "Turn!!!!!!, Turn!!!! Turn!!!" in a doomed effort to stop him straightlining everything. Very Happy


This, but mine was 4!
ski holidays
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
If you can't stop the little blighters straightlining, get them off the slopes! Instructors don't let them get away with it.
latest report
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I find that Mrs H is more worried than I am. Little H is 6 and she is progressing well. At NY I was comfortable skiing down a lovely big blue run in La Rosiere (tetras) with her. She enjoyed it, was a bit tired by the end, but we took our time, worked the turns and I was immensely proud of her. Mrs H would have stopped me had I told her where we were going as she worries more than I do.

We make skiing fun and Little Miss H loves it and Little Mr H is just starting a 4yrs old. That way we all benefit in a few years time and get to ski as a family (leaving Mrs H behind Very Happy )
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
The "Turn Turn Turn" shout is a regular occurrence when skiing with my 5 yro daughter Wink
snow report
 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?
@Little Martin, the same with us with my son though he is 7 and just wants speed. We threatened him with taking his skis away if he didn't do turns. Thankfully we saw a young boy 10ish completely out of control at New Year going from top to bottom straight line arms waving and screaming havevhis skis taken away buy a lift operator. So our son knew it could happen. Our daughter who is 10 did lots of turns but is very graceful though rather slow.
snow conditions
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Vessigaud wrote:
I've just come back from my first father and son trip and we both had a blast. My son takes lessons at XScape and was comfortable crusing around on blues and the odd easy red. Me on the other hand, I was a bag of nerves constantly watching where he was going worried he'd crash etc. Coupled with the fact I've recently switched back to skiis after a long time on a board some days we're pretty stressful.

I'm guessing this is completely normal but any parents with tips for skiing with kids much appreciated


Last year was my first trip with my son - see trip report here - and we've just returned from our second trip together yesterday. He is 7 and reasonably sensible and I didn't have to worry too much about him. He is in his third year of skiing and successfully achieved the esf "Etoile de Bronze". The key to enjoying the trip was to have him in lessons and then for a few days "supervised lunch" so I didn't have to rush back. As it was we skied together almost every afternoon and did a few hard reds and easier blacks. He managed to ski down the rather icy an mogully "Kamikaze" run from La Grand Rochette.[/url]
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Within minutes of us first getting off the first lift, our then 4 year old just straightlined into me, deliberately. And laughed. I asked her why she did it and she claimed she couldn't be "bothered" to turn..! Pack of lies, she was boundary testing.. she'd never do that for her instructor.

She didn't pull that stunt again after the lecture she got from us with graphic warnings! We spent the rest of the afternoon having a mostly pleasant time with her turning perfectly although I have to say I was bricking it just in case. We didn't take her out on any other afternoons, she stayed in the childcare as it was just so utterly stressful even though she had been good apart from that incident! I swear we must have yelled "WIGGLY WORMS" about a million times even though she was doing them, just in case!

Our 6 year old was fine, no bother at all, I had trouble keeping up (luckily husband could, but she did wait when called to anyway!) at times! She would have probably been the same at 4. Whereas now our 4 year old is 6 I still wouldn't trust her, it's bad enough at Hemel! I'm taking the oldest skiing on her own in a few weeks for the day on Eurostar as I know I can trust her to be sensible even though it's just us. Our nearly 4 year old son I imagine will be a similar story once he learns to ski too.

It's all in the child and their temperament..
latest report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Quote:

It's all in the child and their temperament..



and how consistent parents are in following through on the consequences if they disobey. My daughter is a teacher and also a dinghy sailing instructor who does quite a bit with young kids. They learn very quickly to do as they're told! And if the watching parents don't like it they are welcome to remove their kids from her group.

Hobbies like sailing and skiing are not inherently dangerous - but both require instant obedience and, if necessary, a discussion later about the "whys".

Mind you, having told my 14 year old he was not allowed to ski off piste and found him sitting obediently at the edge of the piste - smoking! Shocked He didn't look pleased to see me.
ski holidays
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I'm going on Saturday to champoluc with my two boys, they are now 25 and 22 and ski the pants off me, so I offer to buy drinks in every mountain bar and it slows them down Very Happy .. They've been skiing since they were 3 and 5 so are a little bit better than me.... Ok a lot. But hoping to make it a regular thing.. Although last time I went with eldest son I fell and broke my knee trying to ski at his pace all day.... Should have stopped at 3pm Madeye-Smiley
Looking forward to skiing with them till a ripe old age Smile
Went through every one of the stuff mentioned on this thread... Great fun ... Honest
latest report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Absolutely! I'm a big one for following through on consequences as my children know only too well. Hence the threat of no hot chocolate works quite effectively (especially at their current ages) when skiing!

I am so not looking forward to the teenage years and stuff like that Shocked
ski holidays
 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.
I've given up even trying to keep up with my 13yo...


http://youtube.com/v/vRARPcVCb-c
latest report
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@RobW, I can imagine! He does look rather nippy. snowHead I can keep up with two of my kids (now 32 and nearly 40) but the middle one is outtasight.
ski holidays
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
The hot chocolate still works... But with a touch of spiced rum now Madeye-Smiley
snow conditions
 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.
pam w wrote:
Mind you, having told my 14 year old he was not allowed to ski off piste and found him sitting obediently at the edge of the piste - smoking! Shocked He didn't look pleased to see me.

This made me laugh a lot more than I think it should have done.
latest report
 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
Skiing is generally ok. Just don't let them do the sledging run....
snow conditions
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
It's funny how "Ok, no more stops, let's go straight down the mountain" means one thing to an adult and a completely different thing to 5 year old. One year my husband had to belt it down to catch the little one up who inevitably stopped perfectly and was bemused by the horrified face of his father. We're more careful with terminology these days.
snow conditions
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@snowfraise, lol
ski holidays
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
my youngest was just like that... Smile but now that he's older at 22...he's still the chuffin same Madeye-Smiley
he used to ski hard all day, then fell asleep at 8pm..only to wake and be alreadyin his ski gear at 6 in the morning !!
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
I love how they can be ready in ski gear, including helmets, gloves, sun cream, even teeth cleaned, but can't put school uniform on this week. Very Happy
ski holidays
 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?
@snowfraise, I know also they find it very easy to get up and have no trouble going to bed or sleep. My son sulks when it's time to come of the piste and the lifts close. His usual response is either just one more run or it's not even dark yet.
snow report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
My sister and I had the reverse of this when we took our parents on their first ski trip when they were mid 60's.

Dad in particular kept snowploughing cheerfully straight down the mountain with us bellowing, "turn! Slow down! Turn! More snowplough!" behind him Very Happy
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
So looks like i'm not alone Smile

One thing it has proven is i need to get a bit better so some more lessons at XScape are on the horizon
ski holidays
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
welcome to SHs, @heightphobicskilover, snowHead . I had a similar experience with a French friend, when his father, in his mid 60s, took lessons for the first time. With some other friends we had arranged to take a picnic lunch to the slopes, and I took my car into the village with an eye to giving him a lift after his lesson, to the designated picnic spot. He fancied himself as a bit of a sportsman and after the first morning lesson, which he found very slow, he was determined to ski to the picnic, though it involved a drag lift and a long green run. Guillaume couldn't dissuade him. He fell off the drag and it took two of us to dig him out, get him back on his feet, back to the beginning and up again.

He was probably v tired after that but despite warnings, and despite Guillaume setting a nice line down, doing slow snowplough turns, he took a steeper line, picked up speed, and hurtled. Fortunately he stayed on his feet without hitting any of the small kids and other beginners on the slope and the long gentle run out helped him evade disaster.

He was petrified, when we caught up, but also rather absurdly pleased with himself. Sternly Guillaume pointed out that he could have killed a toddler, or injured himself, and that not many runs have such a long and gentle run out.

His insistence that he must be promoted to a more advanced ski group was heard no more..... wink
snow conditions
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thanks Pam w!

About to take the kids in a few weeks, so excited...
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
heightphobicskilover wrote:
Thanks Pam w!

About to take the kids in a few weeks, so excited...


Taking your kids skiing is amazing. The skiing kind of takes care of itself. 'kit organisation' takes some perfecting though. Getting a clan of toddlers out of door on dry land takes some organising but on the slopes it takes military planning. Take two set of gloves and make sure they pick up EVERYTHING if you stop for lunch. Take plenty of suncreen too if you're spring skiing. Carrying small cartons of juice with those straws is also a good way of keeping them hydrated on the slopes without spending a fortune too. Spare scarves, t-shirts and sweatshirts in an adult's rucksack can also be very useful as kids have a talent for scooping up snow down their ski suit when they fall over. I warm, dry child usually happy...

Enjoy.
snow conditions
 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.
heightphobicskilover wrote:
Thanks Pam w!

About to take the kids in a few weeks, so excited...


Have a great time!
ski holidays
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Reading the posts above brings back the shivers when I remember how worried I was about when skiing with my girls when they were little. I was usually leading and we took it pretty slowly !!! To talk to the point about kids skiing in control, maybe mine are quite compliant as they never hared off and kept in the family "snake" or got told off. BUT when it was safe to do so, Daddy would take over leading on a deliberate "blast" down the piste, to let them have a bit of speed. Level of blast tailored to their ability of course, it's all relative. I think that way we taught them about risk assessing when its safe to go fast, how far its safe to go fast for and to know when you're out of control going fast.

The other advice I would give is to build up trust in them and their abilities by letting them go off by themselves a little bit (eg in the trees on the edge of a relatively flat cat track piste), and to be brave enough to let them do more "dangerous" stuff by themselves when they are able, rather than let them get frustrated so they end up doing something stupid to prove a point. Although I was worried, I let mine (age 13,11,9 and all passed gold in ESF) go down the easier black runs in Les Gets unaccompanied. We could see them most of the way down, knew how difficult the run was, well within their abilities. Of course they were all absolutely fine, which just showed me that mummy worrying can definitely be disproportionate to actual risk !
ski holidays



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy