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Taking a 4 year old to the slopes

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hi Snowheads,

Looking for advice on taking a youngster skiing.

I am a keen to take my son next March when he will be 4 and take advantage of the last time before school holidays dictate timings.

My wife is a nervous skier so she is quite happy to have minimal slope time.

Certainly we will need a hotel with pool to occupy some of their time and other activities, but what can any of you advise of what a 4 year old can handle regards putting some planks on and trying the skiing.

Are we just wasting money as he is too young?

Thanks
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Do it.
Mine were 3 and did great.
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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?
Quote:

Are we just wasting money as he is too young?

Perhaps. Not all kids are the same - some 4 year olds are much more confident and capable physically than others. And some are more ready to go into the ski school on their own!

Most ski schools will have classes for little beginners where they do a bit of shuffling round, slide down some gentle slopes, learn to move on the snow, and have somewhere warm to play inside too.

A week's "ski kindergarten" will be a few hours a day. If he does this in the morning he will be tired, ready to play indoors for a while. But most kids that age love toboganning and just digging round and playing in the snow. And being exhausted in front of the telly sometimes! A pool would be a nice addition but hardly essential.
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ribblevalleyblue, it largely depends on your son, and how much of a 4-yr old is he (when is his birthday?).
My daughter started skiing when she was 4yrs 2 months. Ski School (ESF Courchevel) was a disaster. All was saved by Private Lessons with the wonderful Severine, who transformed an unhappy tearful little girl into a smiling snowplower in just 2 hours. Daughter has never looked back, and, of course, now skis way better than me.
My son, 3 yrs younger, was very keen to join in with his elder sister and other skiing friends: he was a tough strong lad, and got going at 3 yrs 4 months with sterling work from his mother on the Nendaz rope toe. He now skis warp speed.
I would strongly recommend a good Private Instructor who frequently works with young children.
Give it a go - you are unlikely to be wasting your money.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Yes, no, maybe.

Our kids have skied since they were 3 or 4 and have all really enjoyed it. As have we.

There's you, your money, your child, your spouse, the hotel / chalet, resort, staff, instructor to factor in.

If your wife is a nervous skier then perhaps look at Easter somewhere very multipurpose.

I'll see if I can find a post I wrote a while back.

Also continence.
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Father Daughter Time on the Snow.

https://9gag.com/gag/a9RL7z1

They seem to enjoy it. Shocked
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I wrote this earler.

Basically there are a lot of variables, physical, mental, temporal, economic, temperamental, developmental, relational, meteorological (see what I'm doing here?)


GENERAL MUSING ABOUT SKIING WITH KIDS
SarahAKH, hi welcome to snowheads.

YES YOU CAN!



can't say anything about Stuben but can comment about ski holidays with kids. We now have 3 boys- 7, 5 and 5 months. We have skied quite a bit- between 1 and 3 weeks per year since the first came along and have tried most options- I think 17+ weeks worth of family ski holiday so far.

There are a lot of options and variables- but not just about where/when/how you go- but also you and your family.

HOLIDAYS

1. fully independent-self arranged holiday- no additional childcare- take turns - each ski half a day- look after kids the rest- we have never done this (it is madness)- many do nothing else I can't comment about this but wouldn't suit.

2. Independent- take relative to look after kids. Pros- possibly cheapest option- total choice. Various cons. Not least is possible lack of little friends for kids- which is what will make them happy- or rather makes my kids happy. Can be a nerve wracking experience. Did this once- first time and never again. Grand parents often have strong views on creches.

3. Go with a group of friends with children- independent. A great option for us. We regularly go to an owner run chalet in Peisey (Chalet Himalaya it is lovely- ) with assorted children- who organise themselves and play, go to ski school together/ have fun play uno etc etc. Care of younger children varies between parents. We have shared childcare with other parents and also hired an English nanny though a local British run agency, can also use local creches but we have not done that. This option works best if children go to ski school in the morning and then ski with adults pm. But to do that they need to be able to use lifts, ski blue runs at least.

4. General Tour operator with childcare- ie not everyone has kids with them, eg Mark Warner, Crystal etc. OK pros- adult company, standard ski tour operator stuff if you like that sort of thing. Childcare usually good with crech etc. Cons- some of the other guests may not have worked out that their pensions will be paid by our kids and are a bit arsey about children.

5. Specialist Tour Operator- ie all holidays have childcare either as an add on in every hotel/chalet or included in the price. Expensive but very good. Our children like as many other kids to be around as possible- for ski school, lunch, tea, general monkeying about. We have done this both as a whole family and also just me (dad) and the oldest boy- so far second child has not been old enough to do this- but may next year (unless Mrs Ed comes as well).

CHILDREN

There are a few things to think about.

1. The youngest is 2. THis means no skiing and creche (unless one of you stays in ). My wife perhaps unusually was still breast feeding our older boys till 2 and I am sure she will fed the next one a little till the same age. If you are then the exact layout of pistes/lifts and your hotel/chalet/creche is crucial. Some places are easy (Le Rossiere, Peisey and one hotel in Argentiere) some are a total Fitzwilliam (all of the rest of the Chamonix valley) others are just a pain (Val d'Isere). I suspect feeding is not a big issue for most - it should be mind. So - creche- our children were ok in creche and we were happy with all the TO creches we went to (Crystal, Mark WArner and Esprit). THey had all been either to a nursery or child minder in the UK before- some children are very distressed by creche and this can be a deal breaker. The 2 year old may feel a little left out - but thats life.

2. 4 year old- I am guessing your first ski holiday- so s/he can't ski. Will need to go to a ski garden/ marmottons type place. Is the child continent? This is a deal breaker. Can they go to the loo unaided? Will they take instructions in a group of strange kids from a strange man with a funny accent? How is their general coordination?

3. 6 year old- no real issues.

ADULTS

1. Cost- skiing with kids is very expensive. Peak weeks, lots of extra costs, new clothes, ski school etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. Really it is eye watering.

2. Can you cope with doing lots less skiing than normal? You will be forking out shed loads of money to go skiing- so you probably really like skiing- but you will not be able to do as much skiing as normal. You will not be out every day at 8.30- you will be back in good time to pick the kids up from creche (in Chamonix this might mean a taxi from Argentiere to Cham - €lots rather than the bus- free). THis can be stressful for skiing dads especially if they really want to go out early to ski off piste- but have to help get three kids in ski gear and off to ski school. Some couples don't cope with this well- typically with the bloke clearing off leaving a seething wife- to be repaid with interest later.

3. Do you really like skiing? If you are a bit not sure then you might have some problems. Firstly with the cost, then with 'going on holiday and putting the kids in childcare'.

4. Can you leave your kids to it? In creche- when they cry a bit. But also in ski school. Some parents hang around the ski gardens very anxiously - generally the ski instructors hate this.

5. Will your husband wearing ski boots and across icy paths carry 4 sets of skis several hundred meters ( after a night on beer) and still love you?

If think you can answer all these questions then yes- you can go on a family ski holiday with a 2, 4 and 6 year old and all have a good time



oh yes one other thing- take a lot of boys underpants-

and another- after consultation with domestic control

continence- not absolutely essential if a 4 yr old can be persuaded about the concept of the 'ski nappy' not a normal nappy at all- only worn for skiing- additional evidence found in any book about space- most have an illustration of astronauts underpants/nappies. Alternatively take 2 sets of ski clothes and embrace the concept of a 'hot leg'


of course like most things 'continence' is a bit of a spectrum (see Spud in Trainspotting) an otherwise pretty continent on most days 4yr old may well find the arctic climes of the Tignes le Lac ski garden in January too much to bear and have a crafty wee wee down his leg a couple of minutes after coming out of the little hut having had a drink of juice- actually- an otherwise pretty continent on most days 4yr old will find the arctic climes of the Tignes le Lac ski garden in January too much to bear and will have a crafty wee wee down his leg a couple of minutes after coming out of the little hut having had a drink of juice- so a clean dry suit is quite useful, you have to go with the flow so to speak. If with a TO a 'ski nappy' might result in problems. I find it very difficult to discourage this sort of behaviour and the ability to 'hot leg' is a much under-rated and neglected life skill- if I had my way there would be a diploma in it equivalent to 3 A levels.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@ribblevalleyblue, My grandson was 5 when he came out to Austria and absolutely loved it and was skiing down the mountain after 3 days, so it’s possible at 4 but depends on the child. My advice would be to take it cautiously because if they’re not ready for it and very timid it might put them off. My grandson took to it very well, so no problem. A good instructor with good English will help no end so research that too. Good luck and it’s very rewarding when it works. Good luck. Very Happy
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
We started ours at 3 and 4 , one had a few private lessons to begin with. Wrap up warm , lots of hot chocolate breaks and multiple pairs of salopettes and gloves for changes if wet.
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Hi,

Both of mine started skiing at 3 - now all grown up and son number 2 is heading off on his first season as a ski instructor in November. They both started on their 3rd birthdays at the local dry slope. I can't recommend that enough as a way of getting them going - mine continued on dry slopes when they couldn't get to the snow but even if you only do it for a few weeks, getting used to putting ski boots on and the feel of skis is a much more pleasant experience with a young child, if you/re not trying to do it in a packed out boot room with you itching to get out on the snow yourself. At 3 and a half my younger son skied happily on blue runs around the resort with us, having had a number of lessons on the dry slope before we went.

It is worth investing in the best quality clothing you can - especially gloves - even at Easter, it can be cold and unpleasant - we always bought secondhand and there are usually lots of bargains around. We used specialist UK family operators a couple of times, who were very good, especially for organising non-skiing activities for young children.
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ribblevalleyblue ...... just done the same thing March gone, took a four year old (granddaughter) to Italy for the first time.

It obviously depends on the individual little 'un, but some observations ......

Ski school was a mixed bag ...... no histrionics from ours, but from other kids yes, but if nothing else it's a couple of hours you don't really have to think about, at very little cost. She did however get very bored during lessons, and it showed so ......

On the fourth day she had a two hour private lesson also, and it was little short of being game changer, I'd have happily paid double the rate seeing the results ...... she ended up having the highest possible grading and won the end of week group 'race' ..... beating kids twice her age, lol.

After half a dozen visits she now comes parallel down the middle of Tamworth, only turning at the mid-slope bend .......

I can honestly say it's one of the best things I've ever done and as her thirtysomething mom, another complete beginner but progressing nicely, absolutely loves the whole deal, they'll hopefully have years of shared enjoyment to come.

So do it .......
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 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.
Thanks all, some great advice.

@Molly140, yes I was thinking a trip to try in UK first a good idea, but going to a snowdome might be closer to the real thing.
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 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
@ribblevalleyblue, there are lots of great posts on this thread, so I won’t repeat the good advice in those.

A few specifics from my experience of taking a son from baby, to 3 year old skiing, to me struggling to keep up eventually.

Research to get the most child friendly best instructor possible out on the mountain. Ask on snowHeads!!

If you can afford it, a specialist childcare operator really increases your chances of that first trip being a resounding success.

Try lessons in snow dome first. About three or four hours usually enough for kickstarting early confidence on mountains.

Avoid dry slopes.

Keep it mostly fun and play at that young age. More serious technical instruction can wait a while.

Pick an area biased towards suiting the child on their first trip. Sacrifice or compromise preferences of others in group as necessary.

Could be the best most memorable holiday ever.
snowHead
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@ribblevalleyblue, I know you like Saalbach, so have a look at Bo-Bo's ski school for children age 3.5 + years. https://www.skischule-saalbach.at/de/bobo-s-kinderskischule

We know a few good British instructors too, if you want private lessons. Going to a resort that you already know may not be a bad idea.

As you will know there are plenty of good, well-located hotels with pools, and the middle of March is a pretty good time to go (albeit low season). No need to stay in a hotel though, as some of them welcome non-residents to use their pool facilities. In the end it may be a choice and trade-off between a hotel with all the usual service and facilities, and self-catering in a home from home with a decent TV, DVD player, games, etc. Much depends on the child - some are Peppa Pig addicts. As ever, a convenient location is especially important.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
All of my three girls, including one that has a slight physical disability were on skis at 3, all at Soldeu.
The ski kindergarten (penguins) is at the halfway station, surrounded by pistes so the kids have full view of people skiing.
There are half or full day options, the instructors are part of the kindrgarten & you drop the kids at 9ish, the staff get them ready to go skiing, boots on etc then get them changed back once lesson is over, there is also an outside play area.
My youngest daughter was skiing most of the mountain (on the blues) at 4 yr old & she had a fantastic time & made lots of friends this year on the family bash (age 11)
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@ribblevalleyblue, I meant to add. Limiting yourself to hotels with their own pool cuts down your options and can increase price significantly. Also I find hotel pools often disappointing in size, temperature, facilities. Some, even good standard hotels, not that good on hygiene either. Don't want dreaded and quite common ear infection, for example, from poorly maintained pool water quality.


Often, the main pool or leisure facility in resort will have better facilities, better maintained, better monitored. Also more child friendly in my experience. Austrian towns almost invariably have great leisure pools. Ones I've used in St Anton, Kitzbuhel, Soll were very well equipped and operated. A few French ones I've used also very good, eg Tignes, Val D'Isere, Megeve, Les Arcs 1800. Not always great of course, so worth checking out reviews for them.

Sometimes entrance, or a number of visits, is included in weekly lift pass. Otherwise factor in entrance costs, weekly tickets, family deals, etc. Opens up lots more good and better value accommodation options IMO.
snowHead .
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:

@Molly140, yes I was thinking a trip to try in UK first a good idea, but going to a snowdome might be closer to the real thing.


Yes - snowdomes are more realistic but there are so many advantages to dry slopes - if you have one locally, they are usually a lot cheaper, meaning that when we did it, the children could have far more lessons and were therefore much more confident when heading out on snow. There are other posts on here about how valuable dry slopes are, so I won't add to them but just say that Dave Rydding is testament to dry slopes getting you in to skiing! Children don't have any of the preconceptions about dry slopes that adults often have - they will just have a lot of fun and their skiing will be much better for it. If there is one close to where you live - give it a go!
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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?
Quote:

Yes - snowdomes are more realistic but there are so many advantages to dry slopes - if you have one locally, they are usually a lot cheaper, meaning that when we did it, the children could have far more lessons and were therefore much more confident when heading out on snow. There are other posts on here about how valuable dry slopes are, so I won't add to them but just say that Dave Rydding is testament to dry slopes getting you in to skiing! Children don't have any of the preconceptions about dry slopes that adults often have - they will just have a lot of fun and their skiing will be much better for it. If there is one close to where you live - give it a go!


Unfortunately I had the exact opposite experience Sad

Having had a few private lessons on snow (30 mins a session), we decided to sign our (then 4 year old) up for some Dry Slope sessions, but she was not impressed with having to trek up the slope, carry skis and also the lack of snow!

Interestingly she said it was too hard (to turn) on the Dry Slope surface, whereas on snow she was progressing nicely, doing snowplough turns down a gentle slope, with the instructor ahead of her, on the Dry Slope, she just went in a straight line every time, saying she couldn't do turns (I'm guessing it is slightly harder due to the surface perhaps)?

Lessons, these days (for kids) can involve a lot less faff from what I've seen, with modern carpet lifts making learning much less of a strain.

Frustratingly, since the Dry Slope she's completely lost interest (basically because she doesn't want to walk anywhere in ski boots and carry skis)!

Not exactly sure what the moral of the story is, perhaps that if you're thinking of the Dry Slope route, then do it before actual snow!
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Re Dry Slopes - JanetS and I both instruct children on our dry slope - but our slope does not take 4 year olds. Learning to ski on Snowflex is physically harder work than on snow, and involves lots of sidestepping up the hill, as we only have one angle of slope to use we have to control terminal speed by varying starting height. Most 4 year olds get too tired to benefit much from the lessons - even smaller weaker 5 year olds find it hard. So while I would normally suggest dry slope lessons, for a 4 year old I would just take them straight on snow in resort where they have slopes of the correct angle, obstacles to ski round, and importantly easy magic carpets - even snowdomes don't have these facilities.

Oh - and I would add, any half decent resort will have an ideal setup for 4 year olds on snow.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
ribblevalleyblue wrote:
Thanks all, some great advice.

@Molly140, yes I was thinking a trip to try in UK first a good idea, but going to a snowdome might be closer to the real thing.


Where abouts do you live? Our local dry ski slope is pretty good in terms on closeness to real snow, some are truly awful. Dry skis slopes are significantly cheaper, and depending on your location can be a lot more convenient.

I would personally recommend Esprit for that age - especially if you are in a chalet hotel (and you use the snow club) they will be playing with the same children they ski with, they send a snow ranger with the children they to help out and keep the ratios to a max if 6. We booked the week before Christmas first time we used Esprit when my eldest was 4, and she was one of 3 in the lesson. She loved it. We didn’t find Mark Warner as good from childcare POV and their staff don’t go with them to lessons. We haven’t used any of the other family specialists as Esprit suited us so well.
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Really depends on your child and how they cope with things. Ours were in the ESF Piou Piou club by 3.5 yrs old. Loved it. Being with the other kids was just like nursery school. They waddled around, did as they were asked, followed the one in front and got cake indoors half-way through. They only did mornings and the afternoons were spent, lunch, DVD/resting, then tobogganing etc with us. The children that cried the most and did not want to do it were most often those that were booked in for the whole day, and knew they would not see their parents until maybe 6pm, too long a day at that age! Good luck a great time to go.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@ribblevalleyblue,
http://youtube.com/v/oH_tTiI_KYI
This is my lot, the youngest being 4 at the time and skied all the way from Lech to the Mooserwirt in St Anton.
Choose the right resort with plenty of snow activities too as they can get tired. Would echo what others have said re getting some slope time in UK as this helped my lot big time
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Started MiniRoll at 3, and I won't repeat the advice above, but effectively - leaving it until 4 - why so late?! Smile Be prepared to lose face over the next 10 years though, as they hand your arris to you...

I will add just one consideration - attitude: for a couple of years, think of it as a holiday with skiing, rather than a skiing holiday.
It makes a signficant difference to stress and enjoyment, for all concerned.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Last point is essential. Don't reckon to get slot of grown up skiing in.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Started my son at four. Given the potential issues outlined more than adequately above) around skiing with children we opted to use one of the family holiday companies, despite being very experienced ourselves.
The intention was to introduce him to proper snow, and for him to enjoy the holiday, so that there is no reluctance to mountain holidays or skiing holidays in the future. two issues that were irrelevant were;
1) Cost. you are playing the long game, a good level of investment here will secure future holiday plans.
2) Adult skiing. Its is about getting the youngster into skiing!

We use Hillwood, as they had a good reputation, I'd enjoyed the company of their employees in the past, she was insightful and gave a honest overview.
So we went for Zauchensee in Austria, which has a very good snow record throughout the season. Good snow is essential for any good ski holiday. Staying in the Zauchensee Hof, 15 meters from the gondola, and ski back, 50 meters from the nursery slopes. (we didn't want to get into tired kids, getting grumpy in a bus at the end of the day, or in the morning).
Availability of kids evening activities should we need it. Although Duncan had not been on skies before we went for 5 full days of lessons, we met him for lunch, and skied with him for an hour or so after lessons had finished. We were expecting to have him 'cry off' at some stage, one of us would take time out if needed., but we didn't.

I appreciate that all children are different, but he really took to skiing, the local ski school if really really good with children, and had him skiing the full hill within 3 days.
In fact the 'investment/plan' paid off it now costs a fortune each year to go on ski holidays, and refresh ski gear...And he now out skies me, so dad be prepared to loose your crown.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
You can never have enough gloves.
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 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.
As a bit off topic reminiscing, my happy place is the chairlift by the green run near Altiport in Meribel, as that is where we all rode a lift together for the first time when they were 4 and 6
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 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
I only took the kids 7/11 to Geilo for their first time at New Years but there were kids who must have been 2 on the slopes. Speaking to some friends and their UK son has been in ski school there since 3. Most Norwegians claim to have been born with skis on Smile

I saw one child and I’m pretty sure it may not have mastered walking and it was skiing in between its parents legs holding onto dads finger tips and looking bemused by it all.

I recommend Vestlia resort. 3 swimming pools, a water slide, a bowling alley and a spa plus its ski in/out all in one place and rooms are really nice.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Quote:

You can never have enough gloves.

"Kiddie strings" are what you need - cord attached to each glove and threaded through the sleeves of the coat, can't lose them like that.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Another vote for start em young. Our older started at 4 in Selva. Thoroughly recommend Esprit for full joined up, all day care for both of our kids when they were younger so I and DMrsGhostDoggy could ski all day.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
The need for multiple pairs of gloves is more about having a dry pair handy (see what I did there?) if the main pair get wet. Kids don't think far enough ahead to realise that playing in the snow at lunch time and filling their gloves with snow to use as a missile might be fun, but also means cold and wet hands when they put them back on again. Or multiple falls or sitting down in soft snow will leave them with wet gloves unless they learn to shake them out properly before putting them back on. Ski schools will usually have a spare pair or two in lessons.

I also carried glove liners to help out when needed.

Overnight drying won't always be possible, especially if they were sopping wet from an apres play session, or being dropped in a puddle on the way back from a restaurant at 9pm.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Its all about making it fun. Daughter has been in charge of Whistler Minis for the last few years with 40 instructors they take the 3 - 5s. They ski as much as the kids want, put them in groups that are similar so no one is stressed. Lots of fun in the various kids spaces on the mountain and get them coming back for more. They are very busy.

Parents have tried to sneak in kids before 3rd birthday and they cope. Anything from a single day to the full week 9am-3pm.

Its expensive and I am sure there is as many option in Europe but they do a brilliant job and she never has one not wanting to come back. Dress the instructor day is the favourite, seeing a 6ft tall aussie with beard in a princess costume skiing with a load of skittles behind him is a treat.

There total ethos is make it fun, the parent wants the child to love skiing so get them hooked.
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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?
@RobinS, true but string doesn't dry out soaking gloves, always had two or three cheapo or handmedown spares with us.
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My little lad is going to be 2 yrs old a fortnight before we go this year. Really want to get him on some skis but fear it's at least a season too early. I see Swedish friends pop their 2 year olds on skis and ski with them between their legs. I'm sure it must be fun for the kids. I wouldn't trust myself to do that though.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Just been looking back through photos / videos.

Sweajnr started between legs @ 2.5 (birthday in March) but he really didn't get it.

We got him proper boots / skis and this is him at 3.5 and a few hours at the local ski slope
http://youtube.com/v/L-n2Viv9Uh0 (Mom is a good skier)

By the end of the season (so little bit over 4) he'd progressed to baby terrain park.
http://youtube.com/v/kuJtClWJ43c and easy greens
http://youtube.com/v/62xwYKhx8iQ

We then put him in the local NancyGreen program with half days every Sunday morning from 4.5 t0 5.5 and at the end of the season he was skiing easy blues with some sort of parallel.
http://youtube.com/v/tyKlLHyi7wQ

As above - dress them warm and manage expectations. Expect lots of breaks and the odd melt down.
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There’s a lot of overthinking on this issue.
Get them on the snow and on skis as early as you can.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
It is a gamble.

50% will love it.

50% will hate it.

Slap on some planks and shove them down the hill.

Parents play a major role in success.

* Nervous parent = nervous skier.
* Calm parent = calm skier.
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Seconded about the holiday with a bit of skiing.

We went thinking we were going on a ski holiday; disaster, we all wanted to ski and no one wanted to look after the children.

Next time I said the holiday is to introduce the children to skiing. There was zero expectation of adult skiing. Success: they learned and we felt we had achieved our main goal.
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Our youngest was four when she started , her sister was five. We went to a smaller resort so less crowds . By the end of the week she was going down blue runs very well, five year old was bombing along. We took turns on taking them after ski school, and as the week progressed we took one each and got them to follow our tracks. I agree with the posters that said get them on skis as soon as possible. Make it fun, and you will be rewarded with teen skiers who will ski anything with you.
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 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
What@Cheesie168, said. Four perfect age to start.
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