Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What are my expectations for my child?
A child as young as 18 months is old enough to bumble around on flat terrain in ski boots and/or skis. As long as your child is stable enough on his or her legs, he or she can manage playing in the snow, which is the approach most ski schools take to introduce children to the sport. However, it's generally agreed that a child should be at least 3 years old before taking on the full ski experience - that is, independently "turning" on flat-to-mild terrain, and using a magic carpet or a chair lift. - Do I want to enroll my child in ski school?
The youngest age that most ski schools will accept a child into its programs is 4-5 years old. Any younger and it's unlikely that a child will have developed the attention span, motor skills, and physical strength to handle a day of skiing. However, this certainly varies based on each individual child and his or her personality and level of maturation. Some ski schools may offer "snow play" programs for younger children, in which case your child may or may not make it onto skis, but, will be familiarized with the snow and getting around in ski boots. - How long does my child like to play in the snow?
In order to determine if your child is ready for any type of skiing, it's important to identify how comfortable they are with snow play. If your child loves the snow and can stay outdoors for a good length of time, they may be ready to be introduced to a ski resort. However, if your child gets cranky or cold easily, it's a good idea to wait until they're a little older. - Does my child listen well and follow instruction?
Your child will get the most out of his or her skiing experience if they are able to follow direction and listen to adults. While a young toddler might still enjoy snow play, in order to get the most out of ski school, your child should be able to take direction from instructors. - How well does my child tolerate separation?
Being taken away from Mom and Dad and handed over to a group of strange instructors can be a scary experience. Most ski schools advise parents to never force a child to attend a ski program, because tantrums and tears certainly don't make for a fun time for child, parents, or instructors. In fact, some ski schools will not allow a child to participate in a program until he or she has calmed down. - How patient am I?
If you don't choose to enroll your child in ski school but rather choose to introduce your child to the skiing experience yourself, patience is a must. Skiing takes both mental and physical energy, and young children are likely to tire quickly. - How much money do I want to spend?
Everyone knows that kids grow quickly, and the earlier you start your child skiing, the earlier you start spending money on ski clothes, ski equipment, ski lessons, and rentals. It's advisable to do some research before you start your child skiing - check prices for kids' lesson programs, ski resort day care and "snow play" fees, and rental costs in your area, so you have an idea of how much you'll have to spend.
Clearly, there are a lot of variables that determine whether or not your child is old enough to ski. A good way to address the issue is to simply ask your child if he or she wants to start skiing. If your child is old enough to understand and answer the question, at least start introducing him or her to the sport. While there may be more than a few trial runs, if you make sure your child is having fun, they'll be on the right track to learning how to ski.
