Yes, You Can

Yes, you can
January/February 2008

Start Your Kids in Snow Sports

Looking to get your young children involved in the winter activities you love? It’s not as hard as you may think. Get ’em out there early, and soon you’ll be working to keep up with them.

By Melynda Harrison

Kicking and gliding past snow-laden trees and across frozen ponds, schussing through fresh powder on a bluebird-sky day, breathing hard as you tromp up slope after a fresh snowfall—it’s hard to imagine winter without nivean outings.

You don’t have to give it all up just because you have young kids. Sure, children develop at different rates; like crawling and talking, your child will be ready to ski or board at a different age than your friends’ kids. But the most important thing you can do is get your brood out into the snow for short (maybe 20- to 40-minute) excursions where they can learn to be comfortable, have fun, and gain experience. By introducing children to winter activities, the whole family can get out and have a blast in the snow.

Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing
When I started teaching cross-country skiing, I focused on form and technique. I quickly learned that kids have natural balance and can’t wait to get moving. Playground games like “Red Light, Green Light,” “Follow the Leader,” and “Simon Says” played on skies in the snow teach kids to turn, shuffle, slow, and stop—without the boring drills.

You can be your child’s first instructor. Shannon Nickerson taught her three-year-old, Rose, how to cross-country ski in Stowe, Vermont. “I really didn’t tell her much; I just kind of threw her on the skis and let her have at it.” By the time Rose was five, she was ready for a little instruction. “That’s when we started having her focus on transferring her weight from one ski to the other and extending the glide.” Set them loose in a flat, open area to practice walking with skis on.

From walking they can transition to shuffling and then gliding; but don’t worry—most kids figure this out on their own. And at this point you can leave the poles at home—with little ones they often hinder more than help. Once they’re competent on skis, you can add poles. And as children get older, they will benefit from lessons or joining a youth ski league.

Snowshoeing is even easier, because it’s just walking with big plates on your feet. Cheap, plastic snowshoes from discount stores are perfect for kids. As soon as they can walk, you can strap them on and let the wee ones run free in the snow. There’s no need for lessons; just remind them to point their feet straight up- or downhill rather than try to sidestep as you might in regular shoes. That way the claws on the bottom of the snowshoe can get a grip. As kids get older, look for used snowshoes or even small adult ones.

Alpine Skiing
Jill Imsand, a ski instructor at Big Sky Resort and the children’s chair for the Northern Rocky Mountain Division of Professional Ski Instructors of America, says that kids can start skiing as early as two years old, “but it’s more about them being comfortable when it’s cold and sliding around than actually skiing.” By the age of four, many children will be ready to hit the bunny slopes.

Andrea Gambaro-Gunn, of Livingston, Montana, taught her sons Liam and Quinn to ski when they were just three and two and a half. “We would carry them up a little hill and then run down to catch them. It was a serious workout for us.” Andrea also used a harness specifically made for skiing with little ones. Her boys skied in front of her, and “they got used to traversing across the hill while I turned their bodies.”

Next she slapped on an Edgie Wedgie, which holds the skis together in a snowplow position. “From there, I just held their hands until they could ski on their own.” After the boys had mastered the neighborhood hill, they moved onto the bunny slope at a nearby ski area.

Skiing Tips

To get children used to riding the chairlift, ask the liftie to slow it down for loading and unloading. Plan on lifting your children onto the seat and riding along with them—the chairlift is too high for them to sit on alone.
Again, start without poles. They just get in the way.
Consider a harness designed for skiing with kids.
Another technique is to ski backward while holding the child’s hands and letting him ski between your legs.

Many shops rent kid-sized gear for a season, which saves on expensive products that won’t fit for long. Some places even rent helmets. Be sure that children’s equipment fits properly, says Jill. “Buying too big hinders a kid’s ability,” and a too-large helmet won’t protect a child’s noggin. The hardest part about teaching kids to ski is getting past that fearlessness they seem to possess. “Quinn just wanted to go as fast as possible,” laughs Andrea. So let the kids have a blast for a couple years, then introduce poles and work on form.

Snowboarding
Snowboarding takes more strength and coordination than skiing, so children tend to start boarding at an older age. Irish National Snowboard Team member Jen Grace says her nephew started boarding at four. “There’s a skier’s bias that kids have to start on skis,” she laughs. “I would have said six is a good age to start snowboarding, but my nephew proves that wrong.”

Boarding Tips

To start a little one on a snowboard, plan to use ski boots and bindings until they’re about seven and their lower leg muscles develop. By eight years old, your child will likely be ready for soft boots and regular strap bindings. Wrist guards and a helmet (in addition to the gear listed in the sidebar) are essential. Snowboard equipment can often be rented for the season.
Find your child’s stance by having her put her feet together and lean forward as far as possible. Whichever foot she puts forward to catch herself should be at the front of the board.
Tow your child around the yard or somewhere snowy to get the feel of sliding.
Use the “parent lift” and cart the new snowboarder up a small hill. Run down a few feet and catch her. Extend the distance until comfortable enough to head to a ski resort.
As with skiing, ask the liftie to slow the chairlift while you carry your child on and off. Only the front foot should be strapped in while riding the lift.
Once on the hill, after strapping in her other foot, have your child start with her snowboard perpendicular to a small slope. Help her stand up so she’s looking down the slope. If you’re fairly proficient on skis or a snowboard yourself, hold your child’s hand and instruct her to put weight on her heels and point her toes just a little bit to start sliding down the hill. (You may need to do this in your boots!) She can pull back up on her toes to stop. Repeat this until she gets the hang of coming to a stop.
Next try a “falling leaf” pattern, again holding her hand. To begin sliding, tell your child to press down with the toes of her front foot. To stop sliding, pull back up with the same foot. After reaching the edge of the run, stop and press down with the toes of the other foot to start sliding in the other direction. Again, pull up to stop. Repeat this back-and-forth “falling leaf” pattern all the way to the bottom of the run.

Winter Essentials

Layers, layers, layers! As kids heat up and cool down, it’s essential to add and remove layers of clothing. Start with long johns (wool, silk, or synthetic), then add a midweight layer.
Waterproof outer layer (pants and jacket)
Hat
Mittens that stay on, plus an extra pair for when the first set gets wet
Gaiters—either built into snow pants or separate
Sunscreen, sunglasses, or goggles
Helmets for downhill fun
Snacks! Trail mix, cheese and crackers, PB&J, energy bars, hot chocolate—anything that will provide quick carbohydrate calories along with some longer-lasting fat and protein calories. Plus, it needs to be something your kids love and can eat with mittens on.
Sled or pulk to tow little ones when they poop out
Change of clothes for the ride home