 Poster: A snowHead
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At what age/ ability should children begin using poles? My youngest, almost 8, has 3 weeks experience but never used poles, when he passed his 1st star in France they said he would use poles next time, but we went to Austria and there was no mention of poles. He says he doesn't want them but should he be encouraged to or not? any ideas? 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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My 6 year old has now done 10 days in kindergarten ski school and 22 days in proper all day ski school, and no one in his group level is using them yet (a ski school in the US). I think it is about to happen as he is just beginning to move to parallel turns on slopes steeper than green.
I don't think there is a huge hurry personally, although he is very keen to have them. I think ability would be more important than age, as I have seen footage of 4 year old twins skiing with a real down-hill racer attitude and proper usage of poles.
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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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stoatsbrother, Ability wise I think he would be ready, he skied blues/reds and blacks  last time! He doesn't particularly want them, but I dont know whether he would be better to have them?
Mind you its another thing he could drop from the chairlift!
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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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Mine have used then ever since they got off the bunny slope - say about 4 years old.
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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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feefee, I think he should have them then. My 11 year old who skis everything except backcountry stuff has had them since he was aged 8. Technique on bumps and steeps really demands poles.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Two and a half?
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There is a ridiculously long thread on poles (when, how etc) on Epic at the moment (here). If he's skiing with reasonable balance I can see no reason not to introduce them though.
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davidof, aww sweet!
I suppose to him he's never had them and manages well, but maybe nows the time then!
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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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Mine was eight, just after he got the hang of parallel turns.
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Mine had them since 5 years old. They don't need them but they want to have them. The biggest problem is the liability of them losing one or getting tangled up on a lift but an 8 year old should be fine really.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If he doesn't want them or seem to need them, why not wait until there is a need?
In my 1st lesson I wanted poles, but would have probably used them too much or even dangerously for balancing. When I got given them on my 4th lesson, I was grateful for their use on the flat & approaching the lift, but on the slope I found them a pain & really didn't want them! I've now got used to having them in my hands and it seems strange if I don't have them, but still the only place I am actually using them is to propel myself on the flat.
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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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Butterfly, because if you are learning to ski black runs, you do need them.
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My daughter did kindergarten ski school at 6 - no poles
She did 'princess level (the next level up) last year at 7 they got them going down the proper practice slope off the poma and then half way through gave them the much coverted poles. These were used a lot for exercises, and sometimes still left at the bottom when they were practicing 'driving a car' with a hoop.
My son did kindergarten last year at 5 and hopes to get his poles this year when he does prince ski level this year.
They complete a ski level by doing 4 days of 3 hours lessons and then taking part in the 'race' on the 5th day. So daughter has completed 2 compelte weeks and her brother has done one week proper ski school, and the year before he tried ski school, but dropped out after a few days.
They both think there is no justice in the world because I started with poles!!
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