By Marci Lutsky
I did not grow up skiing. That all changed when I met my husband and not skiing was not an option. I learned to ski as an adult which can be challenging. When we had children, my husband was ready to get them on skis the day after they took their first steps. While some parents wait until they are older, we started our kids on skis when they were two years old. Now at seven they are fantastic skiers, way better than me. They ski double black diamonds while I stick to the green and blue trails. I hear from people all the time who want to know how to get their kids into skiing and here are some suggestions.
If you are going to start early, keep your expectations low. Getting kids all bundled up in ski attire can take at least an hour or more and then you may spend just a few minutes out on the snow before they get cold, have to use the potty or have had enough. The first season we took our kids out, we really just wanted to get them familiar and comfortable with the process. We stayed in the practice area with hula hoops around them just so they got used to the feel of being on skis and what some movement on the snow felt like. The next year we used backpack harnesses which were great. The kids would ski in front of us while we held onto two ropes, similar to reigns on a horse so we could control their direction and speed.
So what exactly will your kids need before hitting the slopes? The basics to start with are warm socks, long underwear, snow pants, warm gloves and a warm coat. If they are just starting out, I would recommend renting equipment. If it seems like a sport that they are going to stick with, then it may be a good idea to invest in boots, skis and a helmet. Keep an eye on ski stores that have a program where you can sell and buy skis. You can often find really good deals on used skis.
So your kids want to ski, where should you go? We have skied in the Poconos for the last few years and it’s been great for many reasons. It’s only about a three hour drive from here, making it accessible for a weekend trip or even a day trip. Some of the mountains we have enjoyed have been Jack Frost, Big Boulder and Camelback. New Jersey and New York also have plenty of ski mountains.
You might be thinking, skiing seems like an expensive hobby. Yes, it can be but there are certain ways to save money. If you have a fourth or fifth grader, I highly recommend looking into the Pennsylvania Ski and Snow Pass Program at www.skipa.com. Fourth and Fifth graders can ski for free through this program. Kids can work up a big appetite after a short time on the ski slopes. Buying lunch at the ski lodge can be extremely expensive so I always pack luck for my family during a day of skiing. Hot soup in a thermos is always available for my children.
Marci Lutsky is a local mom of six-year-old twins and can be reached at veggingattheshore@gmail.com.
