If I get one thing right as a parent, it is to teach my kids that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.
You know, your attitude attracts your gratitude!
We knew taking 3 kids under 5 on a ski trip without any help would be absolute chaos, but we were determined to just have fun and laugh it all off AND GUESS WHAT? I can genuinely say it was an absolute blast....here are a few tips and tricks I learned when taking your kids skiing for the first time:
1. Practice makes perfect. Go ahead and buy all the gear you won’t be renting. Put them in it and let them get used to wearing the bibs, jacket, gloves, goggles etc. If you have a chance to rent the helmet, skis, and boots the day before than let them try them on and walk around the house to get a feel of it all!
2. Lower your expectations and don’t assume anything! There is A LOT of sensory overload, SO if they put on their gear, make it to the slopes and then refuse to put on the skis- it’s ok!! Also, don’t assume you know what your kid will do. Skiing is an entirely different ballgame. We thought my oldest, highly sensitive, child would hate it and my middle, wild child, would thrive. It was actually the opposite. (I think 2 years old may be too young for most kids to start to learn. The sweet spot to start is probably 3-4 years old and on or whenever they fully understand what is going on. )
Set your expectations very low and if anything above that happens then it’s a win baby!
3. Take all pressure off! - whether they ski or don’t ski - listen to them, have fun and the second they are ready to take a break - take a break! - let them play in snow, get hot chocolate, hang in the lodge – you want to keep the experience fun for them. (my daughter even thought she skied since she went through most of the motions!)
4. Bring treats/snacks/their favorite foods in your pocket/backpack – you don’t want a hangry new skier. A pack of gummy bears can also give them the courage to get back up on those skis.
5. Ski school or teaching them yourself? You know your child best, will they do better with an instructor or yourself teaching them to start? Start them on a mountain where ski school is more affordable so that if they hate it, it is not a total loss. If you decide to teach them yourself, I found my poles and gloves just got in the way. Keep your gear minimal. I also really wish I had bought a harness and edgie wedgie.
6. BUY the harness and edgie wedgie. We didn’t buy either this trip but I will be purchasing both for our trip next month. A harness will help you pick up your toddler when they fall. An edgie wedgie will teach them the perfect pizza shape wedge for their skis. All they have to do is spread their legs!
7. Start small and inexpensive. If you have a resort that is in driving distance and cheaper, start there. Get your kids familiar with all the newness of the sport before spending the big bucks out west!
8. Last but not least, change that attitude! It is A LOT of work to teach a toddler how to ski, there will be meltdowns, there will be lines, there will be a lot of carrying their gear- BUT there will be core memories made! It is such an honor to be able to teach my children something I absolutely love. Make a pact with your partner that if something goes array – just LAUGH it off! You got this.
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