Taking young kids Skiing
Discussion
We are thinking of taking our young son to Arinsal Andorra for a family Skiing holiday with CrystalSki.
He is one month under 4 years old. Is he too young?
Also, to use the kids Snow Park, they quote an age range of 4 to 8. Do you reckon we would be ok. Would they insist on passport verification or be strict about exact ages?
Cheers in advance
He is one month under 4 years old. Is he too young?
Also, to use the kids Snow Park, they quote an age range of 4 to 8. Do you reckon we would be ok. Would they insist on passport verification or be strict about exact ages?
Cheers in advance
I dont know about officially but no he is fine. Both my nephews were skiing at that age and we took another friends three year old last year. I'm pretty sure my mate lied and said he was four but the little lad was loving it - skied all the way down a blue from the top to the bottom. Brilliant.
The only bad thing about starting them so young is that they will be better than you in a few years! I'd highly recommend the lessons but do be quite picky about who they get as a teacher. I remember my brother going to pick his kid up only for the instructor to say (in French) he doesn't react when I ask him to do something. Have you tried English? Compared to the three year old last year who announced he hadn't been skiing that morning he had been hunting foxes in the woods (on skis).
The only bad thing about starting them so young is that they will be better than you in a few years! I'd highly recommend the lessons but do be quite picky about who they get as a teacher. I remember my brother going to pick his kid up only for the instructor to say (in French) he doesn't react when I ask him to do something. Have you tried English? Compared to the three year old last year who announced he hadn't been skiing that morning he had been hunting foxes in the woods (on skis).
Most ski schools will run their childs programme starting from three. They'll love it. We started our two on trainer skis from 2 and that really helped with their confidence when they started lessons 'proper'
The two things I'd say is buy them good, warm, waterproof kit and remember the 'little and often' rule; they're not going to do a full days skiing at that age!
The two things I'd say is buy them good, warm, waterproof kit and remember the 'little and often' rule; they're not going to do a full days skiing at that age!
About to take my 4 and 3 year old daughters for the first time, after a painful absence from the slopes for us since their arrival...
Going straight after my youngest's 3rd birthday, so technically just old enough for the ski schools!
Wondering whether to book them in for a few days/ mornings in advance or just try adhoc on the day? Dont want to commit too much in case they hate it!
I'm sure it will have no resemblence to any previous skking holiday for us!
If anyone can recommend a ski school for in Les Gets? Have details of a number, would prefer actual feedback though if possible.
Going straight after my youngest's 3rd birthday, so technically just old enough for the ski schools!
Wondering whether to book them in for a few days/ mornings in advance or just try adhoc on the day? Dont want to commit too much in case they hate it!
I'm sure it will have no resemblence to any previous skking holiday for us!
If anyone can recommend a ski school for in Les Gets? Have details of a number, would prefer actual feedback though if possible.
I think people are being a bit blasse about this.
SOME kids will love it, especially if it's warm and sunny, but at 4-ish some will just lie in the snow, cry and get hypothermia and, depending on where you go, the 'instructors' in the ski kindergartens might well just let them.
If you do take your kids and leave them in such a place, I'd advise either hanging around for a bit or going back after 30 minutes to see if a) they're having fun and b) getting any attention (Often, in France at least, the junior instructors get the job and would, frankly, rather be doing anything than looking after little kids).
You'll know what your child is like for joining in, coping with the cold, being with strangers, so only you can judge.
We took our daughter at that age, but I think it was a bit young to be honest - She didn't want to go for a few years after, so we left her with grandparents. She joined us later and became a good skiier.
M.
SOME kids will love it, especially if it's warm and sunny, but at 4-ish some will just lie in the snow, cry and get hypothermia and, depending on where you go, the 'instructors' in the ski kindergartens might well just let them.
If you do take your kids and leave them in such a place, I'd advise either hanging around for a bit or going back after 30 minutes to see if a) they're having fun and b) getting any attention (Often, in France at least, the junior instructors get the job and would, frankly, rather be doing anything than looking after little kids).
You'll know what your child is like for joining in, coping with the cold, being with strangers, so only you can judge.
We took our daughter at that age, but I think it was a bit young to be honest - She didn't want to go for a few years after, so we left her with grandparents. She joined us later and became a good skiier.
M.
That is my own concern, I can't see my wife leaving our daughters on their own.
Part of me is tempted to to just let them play around on their skis and teach them the basics myself, however I would much prefer a pro to do that, but is a bored french teenager a pro?
I'm considering rebranding the holiday as a snowy holiday rather than skiing holiday and see what happens.....
Part of me is tempted to to just let them play around on their skis and teach them the basics myself, however I would much prefer a pro to do that, but is a bored french teenager a pro?
I'm considering rebranding the holiday as a snowy holiday rather than skiing holiday and see what happens.....
jimbouk said:
About to take my 4 and 3 year old daughters for the first time, after a painful absence from the slopes for us since their arrival...
Going straight after my youngest's 3rd birthday, so technically just old enough for the ski schools!
Wondering whether to book them in for a few days/ mornings in advance or just try adhoc on the day? Dont want to commit too much in case they hate it!
I'm sure it will have no resemblence to any previous skking holiday for us!
If anyone can recommend a ski school for in Les Gets? Have details of a number, would prefer actual feedback though if possible.
Not sure about Les Gets, but you could take them to the Piou Piou in Morzine where the kids mess about at the foot of the Pleney slopes. Going straight after my youngest's 3rd birthday, so technically just old enough for the ski schools!
Wondering whether to book them in for a few days/ mornings in advance or just try adhoc on the day? Dont want to commit too much in case they hate it!
I'm sure it will have no resemblence to any previous skking holiday for us!
If anyone can recommend a ski school for in Les Gets? Have details of a number, would prefer actual feedback though if possible.
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