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How to get kids excited about skiing
As summer turns to fall, I can’t help but get excited about the coming winter season! The first snowfall of the ski season is always so special and super exciting for me and my kids! For us – a ski-crazy family living in a ski resort! – we don’t need much encouragement to get excited about the coming winter season! But if you’re looking to plan your first family ski holiday with your kids, or perhaps you have some kids who are anxious about skiing and ski lessons. You might be struggling with the idea of how to get your kids excited about going skiing!
But fear not, for the world of skiing holds a wonderland of excitement and discovery for kids of all ages. In this blog post, I'll unveil a treasure trove of tips and tricks to ignite the spark of excitement in your children's hearts and minds. Whether you've been skiing for decades or are a newcomer to the slopes, join me as I break down some tried and tested ways to make the idea of skiing an adventure that your kids will cherish for a lifetime.
Get ready as we embark on a journey to discover how to get kids excited about skiing!
How to get kids excited for skiing before you hit the ski slopes
Getting kids excited about skiing can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips to help spark their enthusiasm and make skiing an enjoyable adventure for them:
Start kids skiing early
This can mean 2 things:
- Start planting the skiing ideas and themes well in advance of when you want to actually take your ski holiday
This doesn’t need to be a hard sell! If your kids are anything like mine, if you barrel in too hard, you’re going to butt heads. So give yourself plenty of time and have a look at how you can bring skiing and snow into your weekly vocabulary and activities.
So if you are heading skiing over February, ½ term, it can work to use Christmas to your advantage. By this, I mean ask family and friends who are buying gifts to get something specific, e.g. ski clothing, goggles, fun thermals or base layers, snowy story books, etc. There's a great kids' ski Christmas gift guide here.
- Get your kids’ out on snow and skiing from a young age.
Introduce skiing to kids at a young age when they are naturally curious and open to new experiences. The earlier they begin, the more comfortable they are likely to become on the slopes. Most European ski schools start taking children from the age of 3, but don’t be afraid to get your toddlers out on the snow earlier if they are showing interest.
But remember, it’s not about “getting them ahead of the crowd” or turning them into mini skiers. It’s about them seeing older family members who love this activity and learning how to experience it themselves and enjoy the sensations of sliding around on snow.
Don’t assume kids know what skiing is!
Take it right back to basics and assume your kid knows nothing – even if they tell you they do. Take time to get them comfortable with what snow is what skis are and why you want to take them on a ski holiday.
Use Positive Language
Talk about skiing in a positive and exciting way. Describe it as an adventure or a treasure hunt, and highlight the fun aspects of being out in the snow and gliding down the slopes.
If I am planning a new activity or holiday destination, I’ll find some photos of family members who have been there before or done the activity before. I’ll talk about the exciting things we did when we were there and why I want them to experience them, too.
Show Them Skiing Videos
Show your kids videos of skiing or take them to watch a ski competition or event. Seeing skilled skiers in action can be inspiring and make them eager to try it themselves.
For ski videos and films, the most recent documentary-style ski films are very aspirational and inspiring. Whilst the language will be family-friendly, making them appropriate for little kids to watch, they might find the footage too dry or too long and with not enough of a story running through the film.
You will probably have more luck with finding some skiers on YouTube to follow or looking for interesting Instagram accounts. You can find everything from crazy off-piste skiers turning backflips to little kids learning to ski. All in nice 60-second shots.
Ski time storytelling
If you’re creative and good at making up stories to tell your kids, then create stories or narratives around skiing to make it more engaging. You could invent characters or adventures related to skiing that they can become a part of.
I am not good at this! So here’s my list of kids story books that are either snowy or about skiing:
- Ski A to Z
- Ski with Fjord
- Dude’s Gotta Snowboard
- Monty Goes Skiing
- The Gruffalo’s Child
- The Polar Express
- The Snowy Day
You can find the whole list of kid-friendly ski books here.
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Gear Up Together
If I could find and afford matching ski gear for my family and I, I would 100% be doing it! However, if you’re anything like me, I’m still skiing in gear from 10 years ago whilst my kids outgrow and need new ski clothes every winter.
So, once you've figured our what ski gear your kids actually need, take your kids shopping for skiing gear and involve them in choosing their equipment and clothing. Being able to help make the decisions about their own gear can make them feel like real skiers.
For example, when my youngest was 3, we went to a local secondhand shop, and he was able to pick between 2 pairs of skis: a red pair and a pair with penguins on them, no contest.
How to get kids excited about skiing on your ski holiday
Keep them warm!
Layers are absolutely your friend. You can always take them off if you overheat, but dropping temperatures on the mountain will not only result in tantrums but can be dangerous too. Check this post about to learn how to dress for all temperatures.
Skiing Games
Incorporate games and playful activities into your skiing outings. Games like “Follow the Leader” or “Treasure Hunt” on the slopes can make skiing more enjoyable.
Finding games to play is especially important because…
Everybody falls!
And that's ok. It’s part of learning – in fact, your kids need to learn how to get back up again by themselves. So give them a moment when they fall to pick themselves back up. We always find it a good idea to ask if it was a shock or if they hurt somewhere.
And remember, when kids fall over, they often will pause and look around to see what the reaction is from the adults around them to know if/how to react. Basically, if you panic when they fall down, they will panic, too. Try to remain calm – at least on the outside!
Ski School
Unless you are a qualified ski instructor (and to be honest, even then!), please don’t try to teach your kids how to ski. Yes, lessons can seem expensive, but if you want your kids to learn quickly and safely, leave it to the professionals. Yes, I can ski, but my kids do not listen to me when I try to tell them something. So they go to ski school. And you know what? My 6 year old is by far a better skier than me now, I’m old and full of bad habits!
So, enrol your kids in ski school or lessons with a qualified instructor who specialises in teaching children. Ski instructors are trained to make the learning process fun and engaging.
One last tip – if your kids don’t enjoy school, perhaps avoid calling it ski school or ski lessons. Perhaps call it ski groups or ski time, or whatever works for you.
Find out more about how to choose the best ski school for your family.
Peer Groups
Encourage your kids to ski with friends or other children. Skiing with peers can be more motivating and enjoyable for kids. This is one of the main reasons that ski schools work so well, kids of different ages learn in different ways and at different speeds. They also pick up things quicker when they see real-life examples of people the same size as them doing what they are trying to do.
This is why my second son, 2 years younger than his brother, is out skiing with the older kids: because he sees his peers trying things, and he wants to as well. Just make sure they have the control to stay safe!
Family Ski Days
Ski school is great for building those core ski skills and learning new tricks, so make skiing a family activity. Skiing together as a family can create lasting memories and reinforce their excitement.
Typically, we will book ski school for the morning, get some lunch, and then ski together in the afternoon. If you ask your children’s ski instructors where they have skied in the morning sessions, you can then confidently head to the ski slopes that you know they are capable of doing.
Reward System
Create a simple rewards system to motivate them. For example, they can earn small rewards for reaching skiing milestones or trying new slopes. And make sure you celebrate those small steps just as much as the big achievements. It doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive. For example, when my kids have successfully skied a new piste, it “unlocks” a new hot chocolate stop – and we’re on a mission to find the best hot chocolate in La Plagne!
Be Patient
Be patient and understanding of their progress and the need to take it slow. Not every child will take to skiing immediately, so it's essential to create a positive and pressure-free environment.
And I say this from experience! My youngest was happily going to ski school for 2 winters, and then last season, point blank refused. I’m talking tears, tantrums, and, at the ski school drop-off point, calls from the instructors to come to pick him up early. Nightmare. Every evening, he’d promise me he’d go the next day, then we’d get there, and he'd clam up, the bottom lip would start wobbling, and, bam, tears and tantrums followed with me bribing him to go.
Eventually, when I took a step back and asked myself why I was putting so much pressure on him going to ski school, I couldn’t really answer it. So we stopped booking him in. And he came skiing with me instead. And we had fun! He’s not learning good techniques with me, but he is having fun with his skis. Plus, falling down, getting back up – learning the hard way!
So cut yourself and them some slack!
FYI – he tells me he wants to go to ski school this winter, so let's see how it goes!
Ski Resorts with Kid-Friendly Features
I’m, of course, here to tell you that La Plagne is a great option for kids and family ski holidays!
But seriously, choose ski resorts that offer kid-friendly amenities such as dedicated children's ski areas, magic carpet lifts, and childcare services. Most European ski resorts will have all these, but dive deeper and look at the extras like:
- How far is the ski school from accommodations?
- How many green slopes and easy blue runs are there – or are there more red and black pistes?
- Is there a childcare facility for little skiers?
- How easy is it to get buggies on and off the public transport / to the ski school?
Finally: Family ski holidays aren’t just about skiing
But don't be fooled. Family ski holidays offer so much more than just skiing. While the slopes are undeniably the main attraction, these vacations are a chance for families to bond, create lasting memories, and experience a winter wonderland like no other. From cosy evenings by the fire to non-skiing activities and thrilling snow adventures, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're a seasoned skier or a newbie on the slopes, these trips offer a unique opportunity to connect with your loved ones and savour the magic of winter together.
That’s La Plagne and how to get kids excited about skiing
Remember that the key is to make skiing a fun and enjoyable experience for kids. By creating a positive and exciting environment and allowing them to progress at their own pace, you can help nurture their enthusiasm for skiing.
Finally, if you're wondering if your kids should start off skiing or snowboarding, then check out this blog post.
Good luck – and I’ll see you on the slopes!
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