Skiing with Kids

Taking younger kids skiing is FUN, they pick it up so quickly at a young age. Here are a few tips to help the experience:

Check the skifield prices and facilities before going. Many NZ ski fields are free for kids 5 and younger so this is a great age to introduce them to skiing without the pressure of having to get your money’s worth for the day’s ticket. Most ski fields offer a half day rate after midday – which can be better as the day warms up a little and the snow softens. Also check if there are some free learner lifts/areas regardless of age. This might save you and your kids buying a ticket.

If it’s their very first time, it’s good to just muck around on the snow in general and let them get used to it, especially if they are not interested in skiing straight away. We found our 5-year-old was pretty uninterested as a 3 and 4-year-old, but at 5 we couldn’t stop him. He dictated the pace of what he was comfortable with and he also told us when it was ‘not fun’ and ‘fun’. So listen to them and don’t force it – they’ll enjoy it more and want to go back again if they have a good time. Take a book or puzzle/game incase you have a bit of café down time and need to keep them entertained.

If the weather is really bad, consider not going or maybe look at going for just a half day instead.

If you have the ski gear before hitting the slopes, get them to practice getting in and out of their ski bindings, you’d be surprised at how good they can be at it and it gives them a great feeling of independence as well. Also practice with their helmet and goggle set up – make sure you’ve got it good to go for the next day. Lay out their ski clothes the night before too to save a bit of time – it’s also good to do a dress-up trial run so they get used to the clothes as well. They will need layers to take on and off and obviously some waterproof ski pants and jackets – borrow from friends if you don’t have your own.

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Practice ‘piece of pie’ at home as well (moving the skis into a v shape) so they know how to transfer their weight on the skis from two parallel skis to “piece of pie” to slow down/stop.

Take a backpack – you’ll need it for their extra clothes, sunscreen, water etc. Consider a spare pair of pants if you have kids still potty training or not good at holding on! Dry clothes in the car for the end of the day is a good idea as well.

Get them to carry their own skis, or at least poles – a good habit for them and saves you having to do it.

Most ski fields have a drop off zone which is a great way to get gear and kids to the base rather than a big walk that will tire them out before they start. If you are a single parent or flying solo ask about single parent parking – some ski fields reserve a few spots for this.

Food – they need lots of it!! Our kids ate 3x as much as normal. We found it best to get some food into them before the first run as breakfast can often be a long time ago, especially if you have some early risers. Also take some muesli bars, scroggin, lollies in your pocket in case they run out of steam half way through a run, or just need a bit of encouragement. Take some water bottles as well. Hot water is usually available at the base buildings, so cup of noodles can be a good treat, especially if it’s a cold day. A thermos with milo or soup is also great. Sandwiches are filling and a bit of fruit or hummus and carrots never goes astray. They’ll be keen for a bit of food on the way down the hill as well. Taking your own food will save you a lot of $$$.

Toilets – make sure they go before the first run and keep asking them when near the toilets. There’s nothing worse than being in the wrong place at the wrong time and nowhere to go.

Lifts – the magic carpet is awesome and achievable whilst learning. Pomma’s – young kids can do this on their own but let it be at their own pace, nothing worse than one bad experience putting them off. On the learners slope, if they are doing the pomma for the first time, ask the liftee to keep an eye on them getting off at the top. There is also an emergency button at the top of the lift on the last pole if you need it, as well as a safety trip wire higher up. T-bars are a bit longer, so why not go up first so you can be there when they get off the first time on their own. Chairs – you’ll likely need to lift them on a bit, and then just keep an eye on them so they don’t slide down, and encourage them to sit still. It’s a good idea to leave your own poles behind when doing the bigger runs for the first time with kids – you don’t need them and it means your hands are free to help them.

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Helmets are a must – not because of their skiing – but people around them – they are much bigger and can make a bit of an impact if they run into your kids. Most rental places offer helmets free with equipment. Goggles are also a must to protect their eyes and help with seeing in different light conditions.

Sunscreen – use it all season, not just in spring months. Some ski fields have sunscreen dispensers on the field but always take your own.

The kids will need a zipped pocket in jacket/pants for their electronic ski pass – otherwise you will have to carry it which is a bit of a pain.

When you first get to the ski field, name a ‘meeting place’ at base, in case you get separated. If you have a tearaway kid – write your phone number on their hand/ on paper in their pocket.

Lessons – if you are a skier yourself, then you can probably teach them all the basics. Otherwise lessons are a great idea – consider private if you really want them to learn a lot as group lessons can be 8 people or so….Pre-book if you are going in school holidays time. Put some food in their pocket as they are usually 2 hours long, and let the instructor know. Don’t follow them or be seen following them – you’ll distract them and they may want to get out of the lesson! Make sure you are definitely there at the end of the lesson and have a chat to the instructor to see how it went and what they need to work on.

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