 Poster: A snowHead
|
My little boy will be 22 months when i take him skiing this season and I'm planning on getting him sliding this time.
I'm going to buy:
a set of plastic strap on skis
a tip connector.
A ski lift (a harness that allows you to pick him up with one hand etc)
A leash so if he does manage to slide a bit he wont go too far
A nice warm ski suit, gloves and hat
Obviously I don't expect too much from him at his age and if he just has a little walk on the snow in his skis then that's fine or just slide between his mum and me for a metre or two.
Anyone got experience of taking kids this age? Are there any snowdomes that would allow him a little practice before we go? Any advice appreciated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
RobW, Great video. Thanks. My oldest will be 9 when we go so sure he'll be happy to help his little bro out like your son did.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
garethjomo, make sure the winter boots you use with the plastic skis fit well - otherwise you'll be left holding the child as the skis and boots slide away! A lot of kids don't realise that they need to stand up, so you might have to spend a lot of time practicing just standing up. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
RobW, Were those real boots and skis your little one was using? did you hire or buy them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
what a super bit of film - they looked like real skis. great one legged skiing by big brother, too! I started getting my 3 year old grandson into the swing of it in the kitchen - he was standing on a bath mat and I was towing him around the island unit - to get him into the swing of a drag lift. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
garethjomo, Yes, real boots and skis. He had some 2nd hand boots which we'd been using but unfortunately they disintegrated on the trip! The only boots the in-resort ski shop had were the Roces adjustable boots ( http://www.roces-snow.com/ ) and he just fitted into the smallest size - not cheap but they should last him a few years.
It's unusual for hire kit to be available for kids that small, but there is a thriving 2nd-hand market for small boots and skis through our local club: that's where his skis came from - they are Fischer RC4 skis, 70cm long, with a 3m(!) turning radius: http://www.fischerskis.com/en/products_ski.php?show=detail&id_product=18675
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
garethjomo, we started our son just as he turned 3 so a little bit later. We started him with real kit, I'm not sure about those plastic skis, as RobW says there is a good second hand market for tiny kit and also it often ends up in the sales. With the boots, the smallest I have seen are the Nordica Nordy which start at a Mondo size 14.0 which is probably around a UK 6 or so, most others AFAIK start at a Mondo 16.0. The Nordy also seems to have a soft top. Having said that I think you can get away with little kids boots being a bit big whilst they are still just sliding. If you think your little one will ski a lot I think the Roces boots are worth a look, I recently considered them but my son is now at the top end of the size range so instead of getting 6 sizes out them we would probably get 2, so not really worth it for us.
With the skis, we had a 2 year old in our party last Easter in La Tania and the hire shop there had 70cm skis for him. There are also very cheap odd pairs around online if you search, I will try to remember where I've seen them! Also I was in Ski Bartlett a few weeks ago and I am pretty sure they had a few pairs of tiny skis in stock, they also have lots of small second hand boots, you could give them a ring they are very helpful.
Re. practising at a dome, I think it's doubtful. They seem to be strict about this due to insurance or whatever, you can't go on the nursery slope unless you are on a lesson and the minimum age is 3 for a private lesson, 4 for group. You can't go on the main slope unless you are recreational standard. I guess at a pinch you might get away with towing him around on the flat or in the snow play area at a quiet time. This is based on my experience at CFe but I guess it would be similar at the other domes.
RobW great to see that clip again 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
garethjomo, RobW, clearly found a helmet for his youngster - you might want to consider whether you want to add one to your shopping list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RobW, what a brilliant video!!! Tommy is going to be 30 months old when we hit the slopes this year, but I'd always considered him much too young to start sliding! This may give me a very different idea of what this holiday's going to be...
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Megamum, good thinking! garethjomo, Giro Slingshot (or Richochet the old version) very good for little ones as it is adjustable, has a dial at the back to tighten the fit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
garethjomo, Also, IMV it is vital that you consider providing some form of eye protection from the sun to go on that helmet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Does everyone think a helmet is important when skiing then
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
