Skiing with Kids

Skiing holidays are great family fun – but you do need to be organised.  If you think getting yourself ready in the morning for a day on the slopes might take time, try getting kids ready as well! So, if you’re taking youngsters with you, there are a few things to consider.

Clothing

Children are sensitive to extreme conditions so always dress your children as you would like to be dressed and add a few layers. To withstand the elements they will need:
• Warm protective clothing, put on in layers.
• Manufactured fibres (polypropylene and fibre pile) are even more protective than wool.
• Good quality, water-resistant gloves or mittens (gloves are not available to rent due to health regulations). Attaching these to strings looped through the arms of the jacket is also an option.
• Helmet (can be hired from most rental outlets).
• Eye protection (sunglasses or goggles).
• Change of clothing (especially gloves and socks/leggings).
• Walking boots (hired or bought). Rubber boots or gumboots are not recommended.
• Label all ski equipment and clothing with your name and the lodge you are staying in.
• Warm hat with ear covers keep heat in, one with a peak protects from the sun as well.
• Properly fitted skis and boots.
• Plenty of sun-block/ lip-salve.

Skiing with children
• Place your children in the Ski-School. Not only are they meeting other children they will learn from professionals in a safe and enjoyable environment. While you might want to teach your kids to ski or board it is often a recipe for fights and conflict – leave it to the professionals and enjoy your own ski time … then when you do ski together just have fun!
• Don’t expect much until your child is 4. Most kids aren’t strong enough until then. Many ski schools won’t accept kids younger than 3. If you want to teach them then allocate time when 100 percent of your attention is devoted to the child. Go slow, and when there’s resistance (and there will be, back off and keep it fun. And if parent-child conflict starts to boil over, do both a favour and enroll the child in ski school immediately. There are enough things in family life to fight over!
• Young children should always be in the care of an adult rather than an older child.
• Put a name tag including (name, accommodation, mobile contact number) in the child’s pocket.
• Explain to your children that if you become separated they should tell the nearest member of staff (i.e. lift attendant, ski-patrol or ski-instructor). You call Ski Patrol Base and they will match you up.
• Skiing or boarding with a child in a backpack/front pack is not permitted and lift access will be denied.
• Review the trail map with older children so they are familiar with the runs and lifts.
• Ensure your children stop regularly. Watch for signs of tiredness or cold and don’t push them beyond their limitations.
• Allow time. Getting children dressed and moving them around the village requires patience and time.
• Apply plenty of sunscreen and lip cream and put small tubes in their pockets.
• Pack small bags of dried fruit in their pockets for snacking.

Other Handy Tips
• Most villages also have crèches for younger children with lots of fun and activities to keep them amused whilst parents ski or snowboard.
• Look for accommodation that is child friendly and close to the lifts or ski school to make it easier to get beginners up the mountain.
• Pack the camera and video for lots of great shots and family memories!

Overseas
In many Canadian and US Resorts kids ski free and you can usually find accommodation where kids stay free as well – which means you really just need to pay for the ski hire and lessons.

Keeping it fun - family games
Think up some games for the slopes to keep kids happy and avoid burnout. Try these, or think up your own.
•  Treasure hunt: hide treats or money on the hill, and give them clues to find them.
  •  Trail-map bingo: have them mark every trail they've skied until they've done them all.
  •  Build a kicker: air time is a prime motivator, especially on the clandestine jump Dad built.
•  Terrain-park showdown: see who's got the best slope-stylee moves.
•  Run-gates in the family race course: NASTAR handicapping is perfect for a family challenge; or bring a stopwatch and use "gates" (twigs, cones) you set yourself.
•  Ski the trees: search the sides of trails for easy tree shots, then let them lead. They'll love the adventure.
•  Race your chair: note the number on the chair you ride up in, and see if you can beat it to the bottom.
•  Photo-shoot: kids love seeing themselves on film; tell them you want to record how good they're getting.
•  Best-wipeout award: they're inevitable, and winning something takes the sting out of the hardest falls!

All Australian ski-resorts have excellent crèches and child-centred ski and snowboard programs, and you can check out what they offer on their websites.