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It’s every ski loving parent’s joy to see their children ski successfully down the slopes.
Kids learn to ski faster than adults. Parents, however, should know the appropriate time to enroll them for ski lessons for toddlers. Remember, your child’s first skiing experience will determine whether they will love the sport or not.
Using Professional Trainers
Many parents may want to train their children. However, it’s always good to hire professionals who are experienced enough to conduct the training. This way, your kids get training from the best-qualified instructors, and you can enjoy some private time with your friends.
How can you prepare your child for their ski lessons to guarantee success? What are the factors to consider when choosing a ski school? Let’s find out below.
Preparing Your Child
There are various things you can do to prepare your child before, and on the first day of their ski lessons as seen below.
Before the Lessons
Your child’s first ski lesson can be challenging especially for beginners. Chances are that they will be anxious and afraid. Many children will be wondering what to expect from their teachers and fellow kids. They will even doubt their ability to learn. Parents can help kids overcome these emotions with these tips.
· Introduce Your Child to the Ski Area
Before the ski lessons for toddlers begin, you want to introduce your child to the ski resort where the school is located. Check out the resort’s website and view the trail map together.
Ensure that your child can point out the ski school and let them know where you shall be during their lessons. Assuming the entire family will be on vacation, make sure your child knows where you will be staying.
· Try Ski Gear and Clothing at Home
Check whether your child has everything they need. Ensure they try their gear and clothing at least one or two days before their first lesson. You want to be sure that everything fits perfectly.
Pack everything the child will need for their ski lessons for toddlers in a bag before leaving for the resort.
Having snowboarding or ski equipment at home can be an added advantage to your child. You can assist them in wearing their boots; fasten them to the board or skis, before letting them practice simple sliding.
· Talk about the Ski School Lessons
Hold discussions with your child and let them know what to expect from the toddler’s ski school. Make them understand the difference between ski school and regular school. Let them know that while there will be instructors, the entire lesson is meant to be fun and exciting.
· Make a Prior Visit
Where possible, you can visit the ski school before the first lesson. Often, children will be afraid to enter the class especially if they are enrolling for first-time ski lessons. In such a case, you can stroll by the class and familiarize yourself with its location beforehand.
If your child is courageous enough, you can introduce them to their would-be instructors. Find out more about the ski school and ask any other questions you may be having.
On the First Day
Here is what you can do to encourage your child when the first day of the ski lessons for toddlers finally comes.
· Assess the Weather
Make sure your child dresses appropriately for a cold day. Dressing in layers is recommended. This way, they can easily remove the clothes when the weather becomes warmer, a better idea than not having sufficient clothes.
· Have an extra Pair of Mittens and Socks
Many ski schools for toddlers have bins or cubes where they can store their extra items. An extra pair of mittens and socks would come in handy in case the first one gets wet.
· Be Punctual
The earlier your child arrives for their ski lessons for toddlers the better. Doing so will allow you and your child to meet the instructors and other staff at the ski school. It also allows the child to adapt to the environment especially if you didn’t get time to visit before.
· Meet the Instructors
Meet your child’s instructors before the lesson and introduce your child. As much as you may feel anxious, you should display confidence and relaxation for the sake of your child.
Remember, your behavior and actions can have an impact on your child’s perception of their ski lessons. Be positive always and avoid saying anything that can hurt their confidence.
· Have a Pen at Hand
Write your cellphone number on the back part of your child’s lift ticket. You can also write it on a piece of paper and place it in his pocket. Better still, you can opt to write it on a sticker and stick it on their helmet. Inform the instructors where the number is located. This makes it easier for them to reach you once the ski lessons for toddlers are over.
At the End of the Ski Lesson
Once the lesson is over:
· Arrive on Early
Arrive on time to pick up your child. This gives you time to meet and hold discussions with the instructor.
· Get a Comprehensive Report
Establish what your child learned and where they skied. You can ask the instructor to recommend the best runs which you and your child can try together.
If you don’t get to talk to the instructor, you need not worry. Many ski schools will give you a report covering the activities completed every day.
· Give Tips
As much as being a ski instructor is something the teachers execute passionately, it’s also a job. Remember, instructors only receive a small percentage of the amount you pay for the ski lessons for toddlers. Tipping them will motivate them to do everything possible to endure your child masters the art of skiing.
Considerations to Make when Choosing a Ski Schools
When it comes to choosing the right ski school for your child, you want to get the language and class right. If your child is a beginner, enrolling them in a group lesson will make them feel intimidated.
Often, a group lesson will have different children with varying skill and experience level. You don’t want them stuck somewhere they understand and learn very little. Ensure the ski lesson is valuable to your child. Before choosing your preferred ski school, you need to consider the following.
1. Available Structures for Skiers of Different Ages
As skiing becomes more popular, many ski schools are evolving to accommodate children of all ages. Before choosing a ski school for your child, establish whether they have structures in place to cater to your child’s age.
For instance, assuming your child is three years old, are they too young to enroll? Would the ski school for toddlers accommodate older children such as teenagers? How do the instructors group their students?
Having your child attend ski school would be more cost-effective compared to enrolling them in private group lessons. If your child is a beginner, a reputable ski school for toddlers can be the perfect option. However, they need to have training sessions for your targeted age.
2. Certified Professional Instructors
Ski instructors hold different certifications that determine their rates per lesson. Often, ski instructors in local or small resorts are experienced albeit uncertified college or high school students.
On the other hand, instructors in larger and more popular winter camp resorts are trained, certified, and experienced professionals. They are recognized by a ski instructor governing body. When choosing a ski school, consider your child’s skill level, and the instructor’s ability to take action in case of an emergency.
Assuming your child is experienced, and capable of skiing alone, you can enroll them in a local resort. Is your child a beginner with zero ski experience? You want to be more cautious and consider enrolling them in a more established ski school complete with certified instructors.
3. Packages
Skiing and ski school can be a costly investment. To reduce the charges and make them affordable for many people, some ski schools opt to offer package deals. These include discounted ski equipment for hire, meals at reduced prices, and highly discounted ski school fees.
Some resorts advertise these packages on their website. In other resorts, however, you’ll have to call their offices to find out whether there are any discounts on offer.
4. Half-day and Full-day Options
In the past, ski school was conducted on a half-day basis. The kids would learn during the first half of the day and used the second half to play with their parents. Today, however, ski resorts have advanced to incorporate full day ski lessons for toddlers.
Parents can spend their entire day skiing while the children spend their day learning how to ski. Established ski resorts often support full-day ski learning than smaller resorts.
Finally
Regardless of the ski school you choose, your child should be able to enjoy the learning process. Remember, some kids fear ski school and opt to ski with their siblings or parents.
Enrolling kids in ski school helps reinforce confidence, agility, and strength. However, you should ensure that they will enjoy their lessons. Establish what the ski school does to eliminate fear and motivate the kids to enjoy the sport. Consult an existing parent or student at the school to find out what to expect.
