It’s an age old dilemma for ski loving parents- out of the cradle and on to the piste, or should we be waiting until we’re a bit more convinced of their coordination? We’re to help you decide on the best thing for your family.
1. Teaching.
You’ll find that the ski schools have a minimum age for the children they take, and most will require them to be potty trained too. The starting age tends to be around 2 ½ to 3 years old, but if you’re keen to get them on the slopes before that then you can always take them yourselves. Many toddlers delight in being pulled around between their parents’ legs, which is a good technique to get them used to the idea of skiing without pushing them from the nest too soon.
2. Equipment.
You need to consider what’s available; at Alpinresorts.com, our skis are designed to fit children from 3 years and up. To go much younger than this you’re probably looking at the plastic strap-on skis available from specialist retailers and some of the ski shops. These do more good than you might think, just by getting your little one used to the idea and feel of the ski equipment.
3. Your child.
No one knows them like you do, and no one is more qualified to decide if and when they’re ready. Remember that you can always consider places like Les Gets or La Plagne Centre, which have a lot of childcare options and off mountain child friendly activities, meaning that you can still enjoy the slopes without worrying that your little ones might be struggling. If you’re determined to get them up and skiing anyway, the best thing you can do is get them excited, tell them what to expect, and maybe practice some balance and ski stance before you go. This way they won’t feel too far out of their comfort zone when faced with the world of the mountain.
As with all things childrearing, there is no right or wrong answer, but neither will there fail to be an endless peanut gallery ready to give opinions about the “right way”. The main thing is that you and your child stay safe and enjoy the experience to its full extent.
