Learning to Ski

I'm looking to teach my son to ski, He's 5 1/2, in kindergarten. For the record, he is really excited to try this, in addition to me wanting to groom a ski buddy :)

My wife doesn't ski, I do, so this is all on me here. Looking to start by doing a day trip to take him to get started.
Trying to figure out what to do to get him going:
alternatives-
1) My initial thought is to go to a smaller place, try and teach him a bit myself, then have him take a 1 hr lesson, then try and continue teaching myself.
2) initially bring him right over to a lesson as soon as we hit the slopes for a 1 hr lesson.
3) sign him up for a half day lesson

Concerns are he's young at 5 1/2, not super coordinated and shy. I'm afraid of dropping him in a lesson immediately, unfamiliar place, unfamiliar experience, unfamiliar people. I'm just picturing him falling and throwing a bit of a tantrum off the bat if I'm not there to get him started... and giving up, but I dunno. Thats why I initially thought I should try.

In my dreams, I could drop him at the beginning of the day for a half day lesson and they get him skiing in half a day while I do runs I want to do, and we're skiing greens by noon when they give him back to me.... I know that ain't gonna happen.

The places I was looking initially were MT Peter and Campgraw. With coupon they're not too pricey, short drive and I doubt he's going to be doing any real runs at a bigger place.

I can ski ok enough, I haven't taught skiing, but understand the basics

Anyone have any good/bad experiences to share on this? recommendations on how to do it and place?

Thanks

Message edited 1/17/2017 2:25:29 PM.

Re: Learning to Ski

I would go to Camel back or to a resort that also has snow tubing with your wife. This way the three of you could do snow activities together. Then take him on skis for a little while, while she relaxes. Then, have him go with an instructor for an hour with your wife. You can ski while he is at the instructor with your wife. Then if it works the three of you could ski together.

Learning to Ski

I would go to Campgaw for the day. Small mountain, very kid friendly. Inexpensive! You can do the other runs for a bit while he is in the lessons.

My daughter started skiing about 3 years ago, at age 6. We went to Rocking Horse Ranch, they teach them on their tiny hill. She was skiing on their bigger hill in no time! We just went to Butternut over holiday break, and their green trails were way too difficult for her still (and even me!!!), so she was happy on the beginner lift and smaller hills.

P.S., we go to Campgaw to snow tube a lot. You could do that in the evening after skiing. IF you wanted to stay over with your wife and she can tag along for tubing, we usually stay at the Courtyard. Nice warm pool, inexpensive, and 5 minutes from the mountain. Then you can go the next day in the morning for a little more skiing if you wanted to.

Message edited 1/17/2017 2:43:54 PM.

Learning to Ski

My first thought is to sign your son up for the half day lesson. I think it's very difficult to teach someone how to ski, even if you are very proficient yourself. I would imagine the instructors for kids lessons are very good at getting kids out of their shell and involved in the lesson.

Re: Learning to Ski

I love the program at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in PA. You could do a day trip but it's probably more worthwhile to go for a weekend if you can swing it. The hotel is very nice and they have snow tubing and a pool. The food there is really good too. the ski school there is great!

Learning to Ski

Since you say that your skiing is not the best and you worry about your son being shy, why not sign up for ski school together. Make it a bonding experience.

Re: Learning to Ski

I'd get him lessons. My DD has been taking lessons since she's 3, and they have done wonders for her. The instructors are used to working with small kids and know how to coax shy, nervous kids.

Unless you are a very advanced skier I think it would be too difficult to teach him yourself. It's worth it to take lessons. 5 is definitely not too young.

Re: Learning to Ski

My DD was about 9 when she started to ski. I took her to Campgaw and we both took the lessons, although they do separate the adults and children. I was happy with their lessons and the mountain is small to get a lot of practice on their green runs. After going to campgaw about 4 times she was confident to move on to the longer trails at camelback, mountain creek ect...

Learning to Ski

Thanks for the input.
To address some of the questions... we have a 6 month old too. If we went away for the weekend, we couldn't all go out anyway. Not sure we can swing a weekend away time wise any weekend soon.

Let me rephrase something I said above. I ski fine, I can go down most all the trails in NY, NJ PA, camelback hunter etc, just that I'm not a super advanced skier that goes on multiple trips per year skiing out west. For instance, I can't ski backward like some instructors do. I just wanted to put out there that I'm not a ski phenom here that has huge teaching ability, but that I know which way to point the skis (down the hill)

Maybe i'll have him start the day with a lesson. I wasn't considering not doing any lesson, really just whether to take him out first myself or start with a lesson, and the duration.

I am just trying not to overwhelm him. He does better when he knows what to expect.

Message edited 1/17/2017 3:46:28 PM.

Re: Learning to Ski

We love Mt. Peter for learning. They have a free lesson on weekends for very beginners. This is basically learning how to put skis on, side step, pizza wedge on flat ground. Then they have a magic carpet area that my 5 year old can now do alone. You can work with him in this area. After all of that, I'd do a 1 hour private lesson. The instructors there are great.

Re: Learning to Ski

Learning to Ski

Had a great experience at Bear Creek Mountain in Allentown PA. It's about 2 1/2 hr drive. Wasn't crowded for a Saturday in January. Employees even helped both kids get into their boots when they rented gear for them. They sell this little gadget to screw on child's skis to help keep them together, with this my 6 year old picked it up quickly! The bunny hill is ideal. Has a magic carpet. So it's a great place to practice .

I would avoid the crowded of a popular place like camelback. Went tubing there once and it was mobbed. Not fun with little ones.

Learning to Ski

most little mountains are the perfect place to start.

if you can take off one day of work and do a day trip during the week, you will get a lot for your money and time. A lot of the small hills close the magic carpets to just ski school on the weekends and that is the best place to start - I know thunder ridge does this. also lessons are much bigger on the weekend so more overwhelming for your son. The lesson during the week will also be by a full time employee and not a high school kid

I have taught my 3 boys to ski and 5 year olds are on black in the east - mostly skiing with me a few empty days last year at thunder ridge.


based on skiing level - I would put him in a lesson - most will let you watch at the bottom of the magic carpet. this way he can feel comfortable. it is nice to others struggle at the same time

also when renting equipement - if he is between sizes for skis always go shorter. easier to learn


the other best advice is to try him ice skating before he ever goes skiing a few times. Skiing and skating use the same muscles and similar balance - use figure skated longer blade then hockey - this is also a huge reason my boys have progressed quickly

we play games and give treats on the lift - I try to always keep every aspect fun- and listen to them - stay ahead of them on cold


If you want to teach him a little bit yourself

Re: Learning to Ski

Most definitely get lessons. My son basically learned to board in an hour lesson at Camelback. That was last year when he was 4. My DH tried to teach him before and he didn't want to hear it but he did great with the instructor. The instructors are always young and fun so the kids seem to respond better.

We took my son skiing also when he was 3. Learn from my mistake. Make sure it is not too cold. It was literally zero when we got to the mountain. I had him completely bundled but it was still way too cold and a terrible experience for him.

Learning to Ski

Thanks everyone. I'm planning on going Saturday to Mt Peter... this is assuming I don't get told to work on Saturday.
I picked mt peter to try it out as it is small, it does have "free" beginner lessons, its close and its cheap. I was considering camelback, they have a 3 day get up and ski package that is 3 days, 3 lessons, 3 rentals for a good price, but its almost an hour further, and I know it gets crazy. I also don't know if I want to commit to 3 days skiing with him this season, we're booked up for a bunch of Feb.

I did get an "Edgie Wedgie" which holds the tips of the skis close.

Hopefully it will be a positive experience, and I can reinforce with some ice skating too

Learning to Ski

Sundown in Connecticut has a parent/child class you can take together!

Re: Learning to Ski

I loved Greek Peak for my kids and learning to ski. Small mountain so you aren't traipsing all over the place. You just drop the kids off at ski school and they suit them up and get their equipment. You can do a half or full day. You can also watch from the lodge. And when they are ready, they will bring them up on the chair lift a few times.

Cascades is right across the street too.