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FEATUREFriday 24 November 2017
Learning to ski: How do you know when your child is ready?
By BETH J. HARPAZ This undated photo provided by Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vt., shows an instructor with and that it fits your fast-
AP Travel Editor growing child every time. If
Ski season is starting. For young children in a ski lesson. Kids differ in their readiness and learning styles when it comes you end up doing a lot of
parents, that may mean skiing, consider a lease pro-
getting kids on the slopes to learning to ski, but experts say the most important thing for parents to consider is making the gram where you can trade
for the first time. But is there gear in at the end of the
a perfect age to learn to experience fun. season.
ski? BE PREPARED
Nate Gardner, ski and Associated Press Dress kids in layers so they
snowboard school training can peel off midday when
manager at Stowe Moun- know is what a slice of pizza based on what they know fun and positive. “If each the sun is out and bundle
tain Resort in Vermont, says up early morning and late
that what’s more important looks like,” he said. “It’s a tri- of their child’s previous ex- time is a fun experience, afternoon when it’s chillier.
than a child’s age is his or Don’t forget goggles and
her readiness. How well angle! It gets a little closer periences.” you’re going to have a lot sunscreen. The snow re-
does the child handle oth- flects ultraviolet light with
er physical activities? Does at one end and a little bit A child’s learning style mat- more success than you are greater intensity than even
the child separate well the beach, Gardner said.
from parents so that she or wider at the other end.” ters too. “Everybody learns dragging them to the hill “Goggles are key to keep-
he is comfortable spend- ing that brightness off the
ing a few hours with a ski LEARNING STYLES a different way,” he said. kicking and screaming.” eyes and keeping the wind
instructor and other kids on out of the face,” he said.
the slopes, away from mom How long does it take for Instructors are trained to RENT OR BUY? WHERE TO GO
and dad? While Colorado, Utah, Ver-
“Every child develops at kids to learn to ski? assess the kids and get the Gardner says when it mont and other snowy
their own rate both physi- states with big mountains
cally and emotionally,” “It has to do entirely with ones who are “doers” into comes to equipment — skis, get the headlines when
Gardner said in an interview it comes to skiing, many
for the AP Travel podcast the kids themselves, their the activity as soon as pos- boots, bindings, helmets — states have ski areas on
series “Get Outta Here.” smaller mountains that are
“That’s going to be a big age, their developmen- sible, while talking through you’re better off renting. It less expensive and easier
factor in whether the child for families to get to, espe-
is ready to learn to ski.” tal level, their emotional the process with kids who takes the burden out of lug- cially if they’re just starting
Here’s some other advice their kids out in the sport.
from Gardner on every- readiness, their willingness are “thinkers and listeners ging gear from where you Online listings show the U.S.
thing from planning a fam- has ski areas in some 40
ily ski trip to tailoring ski in- to learn from a stranger,” and want some more of live to the mountain. It also states.
struction to a child’s learn- On the other hand, if you’re
ing style. he said. “Parents need to the information.” ensures that you’re getting looking for a full-fledged
PRIVATE VERSUS GROUP vacation where skiing is just
LESSONS gauge their expectations And always make things the latest, high-quality gear one part of it, “then look
“Private lessons are great for more of a destination
for one-on-one attention,” In this March 28, 2017, file photo, skiers and snowboarders are shown in the terrain park at Park resort that’s going to offer
Gardner said. “The experi- City Mountain Resort, in Park City, Utah. the fine dining, the nice ho-
ence gets tailored to you.” tel rooms, maybe a spa,”
But he added that “kids Associated Press Gardner said, in addition
learn a lot from their peers.” to good skiing and a ski
Children sometimes have school.
more fun and get more out BOOKING
of a group lesson where Plan ahead and call the
they can interact with kids resort to get the best value.
their age. “The best prices are typi-
Or do a bit of both: “May- cally for folks who buy in
be a two-hour introduction advance so that’s going
when we first arrive, then to help you save a few dol-
the next lesson is this full lars,” he said. “If you come
day group where they’re to the resort with no infor-
getting to hang out with mation and just walk up to
other kids.” the ticket counter, I can tell
PIZZA, FRENCH FRIES you almost every resort in
You may hear and see ski the country, that’s where
instructors exhorting kids you’re going to pay the
with the words: “Pizza! most.”
French fries!” January is the industry’s
Gardner says it’s a creative “learn to ski and snow-
way to help students con- board” month, when many
figure their skis right: angle resorts offer discounts
the tips inward to slow and special program-
down, like a pizza slice, or ming. Some states also of-
straighten them like French fer freebies or discounts to
fries to go a little faster. kids in fourth, fifth or other
“One thing almost all kids grades.q
