 Poster: A snowHead
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i was just wandering what age kids genereally start to learn to ski? ive seen the tiny little ones all helmeted up but its impossible to tell how old they are! my girlfriends daughter is five
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Depends on the child, but for a once a year holiday age 5 or less they tend to get used to just having skis on their feet and messing about. Probably forgetting everything they learn.
If the child is strong, athletic, hardy and willing to learn then they may get more out of it. From 6 onwards then its the full bifta. Again this is helped by being strong, athletic, hardy and willing to learn. All IMHO of course.
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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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My eldest started at 5, my youngest at 4.
The younger is stronger, fearless and more keen.
The elder more athletic, willing to learn and less keen.
Both seem to be progressing well and have enjoyed their holidays. Just don't expect them to keep going all day, they get fed up by early afternoon.
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Youngest i have taught succesfully was 3, and he just really got it. I was amazed.
I wouldd say they can be out there doing it at 3 or 4 in a GOOD ski school, when the learning is mixed in with lots of play/indoor time/etc. Dont expect them to remember it for the following year though.
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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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My daughter started when she was 4, but not far off 5. She did fine, despite having to be in a wholly German speaking class which was a bit intimidating for her. She was not particularly strong, hardy, athletic etc. In fact, she was a pretty good moaner quite a lot of the time! She was keen to have a go (we went for a 2 week self catering holiday in Austria and she watched for the first week, and was very taken with the ski school presentation at the end of week 1, where other little girls her age got medals and photos!). We hired skis and boots for her for one day on the middle weekend, and told her that if she wasn't a wimp, we'd enrol her for ski school. We didn't have the skill or confidence to take her up even the nursery button, just towed her up very gentle slopes and told her to come down "hands on knees". That went well, she promised not to moan, was enrolled and, much to our surprise, didn't moan, and learnt how to say (in German) "I can't speak German". She started in a tiny baby class skiing under Mickey Mouse cut outs but was totally bored with that and they moved her up to the next class, which went up the button and down the nursery slopes by the end of the week. She enjoyed it and didn't forget it all. But I think she needed that first week just to play in the snow, watch the other kids and size it all up for herself. It was those ski school medals that really did it though - she wanted one, badly!
With a little kid, the best thing would be a small English speaking class like BASS in Les Gets. Explanations aren't important for little kids, they just copy, but I don't think my daughter would have coped with a German speaking class, or possibly any other class, if she had been thrown into it the first day after arriving in the resort. She took a while to get used to new experiences. It's not worth pushing it - too many kids get dumped in ski school and hate it.
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My son had his first (assisted) slide at around 8 months. At 17 months he did his first solo slides. At 3.5 he got kicked out of ski school (way too good for the kids ski school's nursery slope - and they wouldn't take kids up the mountain until they were 5 regardless of ability) and he spent the rest of the week search for moguls.
Last season at 4.5 he was skiing all day, starting on black runs, and won his ski-school race in Austria (against kids double his age). I'm looking forward to skiing with him this year 
There are a few pictures of his progression at http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/3872733
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RobW, Wow! That's great! I've taken a look at your photos and it's amazing.
Do you think we have a potential world champion in our midst? 
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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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I started at just under 4 in ski school, I'd suggest from 4 upwards is fine so long as it's a good ski school
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Our kids' first experience was at age (just) 4. They didn't exactly tear the piste up, but it was a useful intro. They started in earnest the following year.
I wouldn't necessarily rush them into skiing; from what I've seen, if they start by the time they're 6 or 7, they'll very quickly develop into excellent skiers. If they're going into ski school (and personally I'd rather cut off a limb than teach anyone, especially my own kids, to ski), they need to be sufficiently socialised to enjoy messing about with the other kids. If they're just going to stand around like lemons when they're not actually doing something, they'll get cold and bored v. quickly. They need to be able to laugh at each other and themselves, have snow ball fights and so on.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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.
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rob w - you could have the future of britsh skiing there! great pics and im more than a little impressed!
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Aww....
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You know it makes sense.
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My son started when he was 4, tried it for about 3 months, then he decided he did'nt like it, so he stopped. I told him that if & when he wanted to learn, it would be his choice. He asked me again when he was 8. He is now 18, qualified as aCSIA instructor in Canada, when he was 15, Snowsport England Club Instructor At 16 & Snowsport Scotland ASSI at 18.
My point is the number of Parents who bring their Kids to lessons, and force them into doing something they don't want to do, is sadly far too many. It can put them off for life. Skiing is fun, kids have got to want to do it. So age very much depends on the Child.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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When I took mine last Feb for the first time my son was 3.5 yr and my daughter 6yr 2 mth. They pulled a face at son, but said they would try him, but to realise that nothing much happens <4. He went willingly enough with my daughter into the 1st kids class. Daughter blossomed and was in the middle of the field on the last race, time wise, got round all the gates (which some didn't) and got her medal and tick in her book, but after two days they gave on him - apparently all he wanted to do was sit and play in his first snow with his hands (there was no charge either which was good of them). The class was German speaking, with a couple of the instructors knowing a little English. However, I did persevere with him - I kept the hire gear and everyday he wore the ski's and we pulled him up the slopes and sent him down to each other - he didn't fall over either!, and he walked loads in the ski boots - I thought familiarisation with the gear would do no harm for future lessons.
This year we go next month back to the same place. He understands that he will not be in his sister's class, but has a completely different attitude - he understands, so he says, what the lessons are for and that he will try to do what is asked and that he is not to sit and play in the snow. I think last years familiarisation with the lessons and the gear will not have hurt. We will wait and see how it goes.
Love the pic of the little one on skis. Mind you it looks like there's some rather deep snow on pic 5 - much deeper and I think you'd have lost him!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ours started around 4th birthday, all seemed to take to it well.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Spyderman wrote: |
| My son started when he was 4, tried it for about 3 months, then he decided he did'nt like it, so he stopped. I told him that if & when he wanted to learn, it would be his choice. He asked me again when he was 8. He is now 18, qualified as aCSIA instructor in Canada, when he was 15, Snowsport England Club Instructor At 16 & Snowsport Scotland ASSI at 18. |
Look don't beat yourself up too much, as a parent there are times when I think "where did I go wrong too". 
Dangermouse (3 yr 5 months) starts skiing sometime this season too (Subject to there being snow). As parents it's a very worrying time for us but I've done the right thing and talked to her about "Snowboarding" before somebody else does.
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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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frostie1861, My eldest son tried skiing at 8 and didn't take to it. His brother was 5 and fell in love with every aspect. They both skied last year aged 11 and 6 and BOTH now love it - we're going again this year. Much depends on the child and even on their mood on the day  but at 5 it's worth a try with the mindset (from the adults), that they may just not like it and you'll need to be prepared to take turns doing other things with them, or finding suitable child care.
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brian
brian
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We took ours to L2A in the summertime on the assumption that if they didn't take to skiing then there was loads of other summer stuff to do and it was mornings only so it wasn't the be all and end all.
Anyway, the wee one, who was 4, wasn't that keen (he liked gondolas and funiculars though  ) but his brother (6) took to it well. The following winter we took them to Les Gets where the little one went in the ESF snow garden and had a good time. The next summer, back in L2A he was really keen.
I can thoroughly recommend summer skiing as an introduction for them, btw, especially at easiski's bargain summer rates ! It's a brilliant family holiday, tons of stuff to do as well as the skiing.
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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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I used to 'teach' kids at the dry slop in sheff. IME they can put on skis and happily mess about with 1-1 supervision for about 30mins at a time, from late 2s onwards. Around 4/5 they start to get the hang of whats going on and from about 6 most kids have the discipline (from going to school i think) to actually start to learn and improve from lesson to lesson.
Seeing nippers on skis is amusing but until they go to school I'm not sure they get much out of it (if you want them in snow nursery while you ski I'm sure they'll enjoy it but they won't strictly 'learn' anything other than perhaps not to be afraid of sliding). Sometime around 4/5/6 depending on the child they start to actually learn and benefit from ski lessons.
At 5, if shes used to the mountains then might be worth trying a good, small class, child friendly ski schools child group package. If shes not been to the ski resorts before I'd suggest this year try 1 or 2 private lessons (a more gentle introductino to this strange sport!) or a session in the snow nursery, and full week of lessons next year. They have to be fairly independant and hardy souls to do well in a full week of big ski school classes at 5 if they have never been to a ski resort before.
HTH,
aj xx
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thanks everyone for all the helpful experiences and advice!
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My second son at 2.25 yrs has been very good, keen, willing and able to learn but my first one was hard work at 4 - It really does depend on the childs own development, maturity and strength. I think group ski/mess about in the snow lessons should be ok, go in March when its warmer if you can and avoid being around to watch (hide behind the tree's with the other parents)
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| Anniepen wrote: |
| My eldest son tried skiing at 8 and didn't take to it. His brother was 5 and fell in love with every aspect. They both skied last year aged 11 and 6 |
Interesting that your eldest son is ageing around 3x faster than the younger one. Skiing obviously keeps one young.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Mon 8-01-07 17:18; edited 1 time in total
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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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richmond, perhaps the younger one has been skiing ever since at close to the speed of light. That would explain it.
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Thanks for everyone's comments. It was quite common for people to double-take when they saw him.
| Megamum wrote: |
Love the pic of the little one on skis. Mind you it looks like there's some rather deep snow on pic 5 - much deeper and I think you'd have lost him!! |
Yes, that day was a little challenging. It was heavy snow (almost mid April) and although he was fine on the steeper stuff, on the gentler slopes he just didn't have sufficient weight to drive through it. It was the last day of the trip and we were getting an extra half day in - I doubt he'd have managed a full day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Some of the kids we get through the doors at Xscape have come skiing before they've learnt to walk.
T'is stupid!
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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.
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Jono, thanks again for your help on Sat
My nice&nephew had a wonderful time in their lesson & my knees hurt from the backwards snowplough. The instructor told me off for carrying my skis over my shoulder !
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You know it makes sense.
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easiski, I actually think they find it easier when they can stand but not walk than it is when they're a little older and can walk but not really follow verbal instructions (when they tend to try to walk with their skis on). Catch them at that "standing up and holding onto the furniture" stage, with a pole to hold onto, and they're actually doing something fairly familiar to them - albeit that they're moving and on a surface which isn't quite horizontal.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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| professorpool wrote: |
| As a matter of probably meaningless interest, under 13's are not allowed to use forum websites and a webmaster would get into a lot of trouble for allowing them. |
Really???? We have some kids registered here & I'm sure we've had postings from under 13s  Why are they not allowed to use forums, they can use chat rooms can't they?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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professorpool, Parental consent is required, and in my case has been willingly supplied.
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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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If anyone's got little ones they're looking to start - this is the kit shown in RobW's photo. Unfortunately not available anywhere in Europe AFAIK.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| professorpool wrote: |
| As a matter of probably meaningless interest, under 13's are not allowed to use forum websites |
Who says?
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| and a webmaster would get into a lot of trouble for allowing them. |
With whom?
I'm not arguing, I just wonder who imagines that they can police the interweb (particularly since, as a practical matter, they obviously don't).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
I'm not arguing, I just wonder who imagines that they can police the interweb (particularly since, as a practical matter, they obviously don't).
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I'm sure those who were arrested during operation Ore would have a different view! - Though I doubt there is likely to be a purge on Yoof using chat rooms... bigger fish to fry.
....Meanwhile.. ON TOPIC!!! We'll be taking the new co-pielot to france in April... I suspect 8 weeks will be a little too young, but RobW's first picture has got me planning!
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pielot, will you be sticking the nipper in a back pack and whizzing around? The fashion for doing so seems to have faded a bit over the last few years; you'd have to be pretty desperate for child care to go with that option.
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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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Just back from Obergurgl where my 4 year old went from walking in the snow to snow plough turns via some jumps in 6 days. Off to France in Feb where we hope to get him up the mountain a bit.
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FAQ
He looks so excited and pleased with himself in that first photo at 10 months 
