Next time you go skiing, you don’t need to leave the kids behind. Nowadays, skiing with children is much easier than you think. Not only can they partake in many winter sports, but you may find they often excel at them.
Below are some tips for skiing with kids – making your next ski trip fun for the whole family.
Table of Contents
Consider The Journey When Skiing with Children
Taking children skiing shouldn’t be done lightly, there are a few considerations that need to be made. For example, there is likely to be a fair bit of travel involved to get to a ski resort. I’m based in England, as are most of my readers, meaning there are are a few travel methods when it comes to skiing.
Some families will take the slightly cheaper option and drive, but that’s a lengthy journey and younger children are going to find it hard. Your best bet is flying then getting ski transfers to the resort. It saves time and will ultimately leave the family in a better mood for the holiday!
Health Considerations
Before you set off on your trip, consider the fact that very young children, 6 and under, should generally avoid being exposed to intense cold or high altitudes.
Children with ear problems may be miserable at a high altitude, leaving everyone in the family with a cloud over their trip. Asthmatic children may struggle with the colder temperatures too. If you have a child with any sort of health condition then it’s probably best to double check with a doctor whether there are any other considerations or risks you should factor in and prepare for.
Choosing The Right Apparel
In order for kids to enjoy skiing safely, you can’t overlook the importance of the right apparel. Kids are sensitive to the cold, so it’s important to ensure they’re warm enough. They are also closer to the ground, so every part of their body needs to be shielded properly from the cold.
It’s extremely important for the child to have their own set of properly fitting ski apparel. This is for safety first and comfort as a close second. For example, if you try and fit on a sweater or coat that has longer sleeves than their arms, this can be a safety issue with the child not being able to steer properly or the sleeve may get caught easily on other gear.
To prevent any injuries, it’s best to buy the right sized ski wear from a reputable store.
Choosing The Right Gear
Once you have the right ski apparel for your child, you need to choose the actual ski gear. This includes the skis, boots, poles, gloves, goggles and other accessories. Each element should fit your child appropriately, not be too loose or tight and be comfortable. Before each ski trip, you’ll want to check the fit of each element again, to see if the child has grown out of it, some items may need to be repurchased or refitted.
Safety First
Safety should, of course, be the top consideration for all parents. Children may also have extra safety gear when skiing, including a helmet and extra pads (for example knee and elbow pads). Some other safety devices are also available to make skiing safer and more fun for both the parent and child, these include a fawn cushion, which is a cushion that attaches to the rear end of your child to cushion what may be many falls and a ski trainer harness which allows a parent to pull the child behind them on the slopes.
In Conclusion
Armed with these tips skiing with children should be a really enjoyable experience. As long as you check the apparel and equipment fit appropriately and the safety gear is all in order, you’re set for a fabulous trip.
Enjoy your skiing holiday with the kids and let me know how you get on!
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