Family ski holidays are magical. The snow is the spell; it sprays on you while skiing and make you vibrant. Here are some tips to let not only kids but adults can enjoy skiing together. Make the best skiing with families.
My first time skiing with kids was skiing with my friend’s family in Niseko, Japan. My husband and I were shocked that my friend and her husband carried a lot of babies stuff, looked after kids on the slope and often yelled, kids don’t do this, don’t do that, watch out, be careful, etc.
I asked my friend and her husband did they enjoy the ski trip? They told me the answer was a firm yes. It’s joyful to see kids learn how to ski and enjoy skiing, and however, they were exhausted on the slope.
Why Family Ski Vacation Worth It>>
Therefore, I wondered if there is any way that kids and parents can enjoy skiing simultaneously. So I started to plan a ski lesson for my friend’s kids before ski trips and note every time what they wish they knew before the trip. Ta-da! Here is the super note, a.k.a survival guide, for skiing with kids.
Table of Contents
Prepare Before Ski Holiday
Before you fly, do a little pre-trip preparation for kids. It’s imperative if your kids aren’t used to seeing snow.
One of my friends shared her experience of her toddle first-time snow experience. In her image is like kids surprise the snow view, then enjoy playing the snow. The reality is her daughter was crying for the first time, and she couldn’t bear to touch the snow, to say nothing of skiing.
From her experience, I made a plan with my other friends to go skiing with their kids. I played some videos of snow land and other kids skiing and talked with their kids about the ski trip to get excited about the skiing well before the trip. The older one got some ideas for the ski trip and hoped my friends put them into the itinerary. The little one kept an eye on everything with snow. When they went to K-mart or Big W, he pointed to the book and said, “Mommy, snow!” I can’t explain more how adorable he was.
Ski Equipment
To do something well, one needs to make preparations. Don’t forget to prepare ski equipment for yourself and your kids. Of course, I know you may think who will plan a ski trip without preparing ski equipment.
I heard my friend’s husband thought it’s easy to rent ski equipment when they arrive ski resort. And yes, it’s straightforward, and they didn’t need to research or make an appointment. However, the rental price was extremely high. So they checked the cost to buy ski equipment at the local shop, and it’s pricey too. In the end, they had to rent all the ski equipment at the rental shop instead of wasting their holiday time.
Buy or Rent Ski Equipment?
It’s always some sales or discount rental deals on websites if you rent or buy early before your trip. Preparing the ski equipment earlier is one of the keys to making your ski trip stay on the budget. Therefore, you must have a question when you prepare ski equipment is to rent or buy? There is no 100% correct answer, but I figure out a way to determine which is better for you by your condition—Click Here>>
Additionally, ski helmets play a significant role to protect kids. You never know when they will fall, especially they want to twin tip skiing. I haven’t got a child yet, so I contacted my friends, and they shared their experience of choosing ski helmets for their kids and sorting out the best kids/youth ski helmet on their list—Click Here>>
I’m granting that people consider whether to buy snow boots or not when planning a ski trip for the first time because I did, too. However, I go through it and share with you my experience, what made me purchase snow boots and choose snow boots size.
Tips for Kids Skiing First Time
My friend particularly told me to prepare wedges and a ski harness because they are a lifesaver. She said the wedge clips onto the front of the skis (the ski tips) to keep the toddler’s skis together. Therefore, kids can easily make a wedge and stop (make a ‘pizza’).
On the other hand, the ski harness got an excellent handle on it, so you can easily pick up kids. She said it was super helpful when they left the lift chair, and she told her toddler to make a ‘pizza’, then pick her kid up and go. Also, you can pull the leash on ski harnesses when kids are skiing downhill, and that way, kids can ski by themselves at their own pace.
Tips to teaching your kids skiing>>
Layer Up
Once head to the snow, people usually think the most critical thing to get right is to keep kids and themselves warm enough, and it is correct. But it would help if you were very careful don’t overdress yourself and your kids and use stick heat pads (warm pads) wisely.
Why Wear Layer?
My first time visiting Hokkaido in the snow season was my first time seeing real snow, and I knew it could be the subzero temperature in Hokkaido. So I prepared a mountain hiking jacket and wore thick wool clothes inside. (I thought I could wear a mountain hiking jacket to ski.) When I arrived in Hokkaido, I realised it was not warm enough. So I put stick heat pads between my hiking jacket and clothes, which kept me warm outside. But the tragedy happened.
All the buildings and transports heat inside, so I get too hot and sweat a lot while in the building, car, train, bus, etc. and chilled outside. Soon, I started to feel hot (even out), sweat and felt itch everywhere on my body. I had to cancel my schedule and go to the hospital, which was not fun.
Wear Layers in The Snow
After I learn from locals that the better way is to wear layers instead of thick clothes to add on and off easily. With the advance of science and technology, we don’t need to wear many thick clothes to keep warm. There are thermal clothes thin and keep the body warm, making you look more stylish. If you are interested in what to wear for kids and adults in the snow, here is a complete guide—Click Here>>
Find a Ski Resort for Families
Finding a family-friendly resort is one of the essential tips for skiing with kids for the first time! Whether in America, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand, plenty of resorts cater to children, and some offer kids ski free or stay free. Moreover, some provide childcare services, they prepare lots o activities to do with kids, and parents can date out.
Certain ski resorts for families have children playgrounds and amenities so that kids can have fun. You may think why I need to let my kids play at the lodge’s children playgrounds, believe me, after a beautiful day you back to the resort, and kids are still half battery to go, you will thank they have children playground and amenities.
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Check Ski School Ages
Check the ages that ski school or lesson you are considering to sign in. Most ski schools insisted on age two or three and potty-trained. If there are no ski schools or classes that will accept younger toddlers, you can apply for a short private lesson. Some ski schools will take little kids with their parents in a private class.
I heard some people be foolish to say their kid (under 3) is 3 to join the ski lesson requiring kids age three and above. Often if the kid does fit, it would not be a problem. However, most ski instructors will ask kids their age, and if a kid does not ‘fit’, they can be asked to leave and have no refund. Personally, not recommend going that way.
What If Kids Are Under Ski School Age
For sure, the instructors are professional, and kids will learn quick. However, if your kids are under the enrol age, it’s not that difficult to teach your own kids skiing. Here are some tips and tricks to teaching your kids skiing—Click Here>>
Moreover, there are many snow activities for non-skiers, such as building snowmen and castles, snow sliding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, etc.
Ask Parent Switch Tickets
Nowadays, more resorts offer ‘Parent Interchangeable Pass.’ (interchangeable parent ticket, parent switch ticket, parent predicament ticket) These tickets have different names at different places but work the same. It allows parents to take turns skiing with the kids without both of them having to buy separate passes. It’s a great money-saving option for parents who can’t ski together.
Invest a Snow Sled if Snow Covered
The plastic snow sled (toboggan) is super helpful for hauling kids and gear around the ski village. If snow covers the surface, you can carry kids and ski equipment easier. At least, this is the way locals take their kids instead of the baby stroller.
However, if it’s not much snow on the surface, don’t try it because the snow sled has no wheels.
Teach the Keywords Meaning
Some skiing keywords are great for teaching kids, and I thought it might help parents less yell at kids on the slope. So I prepared some words that I could use for skiing. At the bottom of the hill, I teach my niece and nephew what ‘pizza’, ‘french fry’, and ‘ducky walk’ means when I say it.
- Pizza – To stop and slow down
- French Fry – To speed up
- Ducky Walk – Walk like a duck
And I practised with them a little more, then got on the lift to the top. When we were leaving the lift chair, I said, ‘french fry.’ My niece and nephew repeated after me and put their skis positioned parallel. That was so cute and effective. They can understand what you say without yelling. After I shared this experience with my friends, they tried it and loved the result. Therefore, I convey this to you and hope it can help you as well.
Pack Well to The Slope
Packing well can apply to both before and during your trip. There are some things I would recommend putting in your backpack while skiing.
- Snacks
- Water
- Personal safety alarm
- First Aid and Medicine
- Tissue and Wipes
Snacks: Avoid Hungry Kids
Pack some extra snacks in a small zipped bag or your pocket because skiing is a workout. You and your kids burn a lot of energy, so you get hungry quick. You may hold it, but kids are not. Hungry kids are grumpy and whiny. And I believe you don’t want to stop only after 30 minutes of skiing. These pocket snacks will help you keep them stay on the slope longer without being hungry. (Lift tickets are not cheap, of course, the longer, the better.)
On the other hand, pack some easy carry food in your backpack, so you don’t have to eat at the mid-mountain cafes or restaurants (very pricey!). My personal favourite is burgers and sandwiches, and my friends love to prepare rice crackers and fresh fruits. It’s all your choice.
Water
Skiing and snowboarding are intense exercises, and you’re most likely sweating under all your gear without noticing. Therefore, it’s essential to stay hydrated. (Hmm…No daddy and mommy juice on the slope, please.)
Personal Safety Alarm and First Aid
We will gather with kids for sure, but it is always lovely to prepare as we don’t know when an accident will occur.
Kids can quickly press the button on the personal safety alarm. Then it triggers a loud sound that alerts the parents or scares away the attacker.
Buy Personal Safety Alarm on Amazon>>
Also, write a contact of you or your spouse on kids clothes, helmets or the alarm. At least someone who finds your kids can call you on the mountain.
Buy No-iron Clothing Labels on Amazon>>
Tissue and Wipes
I had an experience that I went toilet, and it ran out of tissue. Lucky, my friend just next door and rescued me. I know they usually have tissue in bathrooms, and perhaps their staff ran out of time to check the toilets. However, since then, I have always prepared tissue and wipes with me.
Take Breaks Often
As stated above, skiing is a sport that takes a lot of energy. And we’re on vacation, not army camp. So that’s okay to deviate too much off schedule if kids are tired. As soon as you understand they won’t last the whole day, you won’t be under stress or frustrated when kids start to show up their tiredness. As for, you would make your itinerary more flexible. In advance, scheduling lots of breaks during a day will help keep them up and follow-up until back to ski lodge or resort.
If your kids have good physical strength, they look brimming over when you return to the lodge or resort. Take them to the children playground and amenities until they’re just about to run out of battery. Yay! Not far to Me Time.
Make Skiing Fun for Kids
Encourage fun with kids, not only skiing but all sports. Even if you desperately want your kid to be famous and professional, fun is essential to keep them excited about the ski trip. You can do many things to make more fun, such as hot chocolate breaks, snowball fights, building snow castle, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snow sliding, ski tubing, etc. Every moment will last a lifetime in kids.
Sleep on Schedule
Trying to let kids sleep at the same time as usual on the ski trip is very difficult. You may skip a few daytime naps, and that’s okay. The only thing you need to do after is aim for an early bedtime so your child can catch up on rest. Try not to sleep late. Otherwise, they will take a lot of time to wake up and get ready.
FAQs
Serval questions I often being asked.
How Do Kids Stay Warm While Skiing?
Start by dressing your kids in good layer thermal wear. Then depending on age, wear a ski suit or ski jacket and ski pants, turtle neck, or other technical apparel to keep you warm.
The socks are the only things that do not layer. A pair of superb quality thermal socks keep your feet all day warm. To see more details of what to wear while skiing—Click Here>>
Can 1 or 2-Year-Old Skiing?
Sure, they can. You can teach your kids how to ski, and they will surprise you with how much they can do. However, if you plan to sign in a ski lesson or ski school for your kids, they may require age 2 or 3 and be potty-trained. On the other hand, you can choose a short private ski lesson that parents accompany little kids.
What Do I Need for First Time Skiing?
You can follow a checklist to pack for your next family ski trip, and it will help you organise and make it easier. Here is a handy and printable ski trip checklist with ski trip pack list PDF and packing tips for families—Click Here>>
How Quickly Can I Learn to Ski?
Depending on the person, it usually takes a few hours to a few days to gain the intermediate ability from 0 experience. There are some tips and tricks for people first time skiing—Click Here>>
