Teaching a child to ski
isn't like starting her off in softball or soccer. You can't just go out in the
backyard and start tossing or kicking a ball around. It is usually in the
child's best interest, and well worth the investment, to enroll her in a
qualified ski school so she can get proper instruction based on her age and
ability, even if you are an experienced skier.
Whether the mountain is
in your backyard or you will be taking a family vacation this winter to a ski
resort, knowing what to expect when you enroll your child in ski school, and
what questions to ask of the instructor, can make all the difference in making
her first skiing experience a positive one. It will also make your own vacation
more fun and less stressful to know your child is in good hands.
Selecting a ski school
Many ski schools will
take children as young as 3 years old. Find out the details of a specific
program. Ski school quality is truly a function of the quality of the staff.
In selecting a ski school
for your child, ask:
Is the
staff certified and experienced working with young children? If a ski school uses its kids program to train
adult instructors, it may be a tell-tale sign that it is not geared to kids.
Look for programs that hire staff specifically to work with children and have
low staff turnover; these are signs that it is probably more committed to the
specific needs of children.
Is the
pre-school nursery licensed by the state? If your child is under the age of 3, check to see if the pre-school
nursery is a state licensed program.
Is the
staff screened and trained to provide childcare? Training should include a mixture of on-mountain
instruction and childcare.
Are parents
welcome to observe from a distance? Ask
if you and your child can observe a class before signing up.
Does the
program have a separate play area? Some
children need a little extra Tender Loving Care. If a child is not sure skiing
is for him, it is important that he have a good time even if he decides not to
ski. If the experience is fun, he will want to come back to learn to ski when
he is ready.
Does the
program track where each class is on the mountain? That way you can check in on how your child is
doing or if you need to cut the day short unexpectedly.
Does the
school provide progress reports for each child? Getting feedback is helpful in deciding whether
more lessons are needed and to help insure proper placement if you enroll your
child in a school at another ski area.
Are private
lessons available? If you child
has a difficult time in a large group environment, you should have the option
of investing in private lessons with a children's ski instructor.
Is adequate
security provided at drop-off and pick-up? Investigate whether or not the program has a security system in place
for when kids are dropped off and picked up.
Are safety
and fun the program's main goals? They
should be.
Keep these pointers in
mind, and your child should have a safe, enjoyable experience learning to ski!
Sue Way is Director of Children's Programs for The Aspen Skiing Company[1] in Aspen, Colorado
Revised December 13, 2011
Teaser title:
What to Look For In a Ski School
Teaser image:
Teaser text:
Teaching a child to ski isn't like starting her off in softball or soccer. You can't just go out in the backyard and start tossing or kicking a ball around. It is usually in the child's best interest, and well worth the investment, to enroll her in a qualified ski school so she can get proper instruction based on her age and ability, even if you are an experienced skier.