What age to start?

Hi everyone,

I am wondering what age do you think it's suitable for a child to have a go at skiing/snowboarding?

Huge question! So much depends on the child. Can only speak from experience of own 2 kids and friends. We decided to wait until both kids could start in lessons together, thought they would feel happier that way. Youngest was 5 on the day he started in ski school (ESF) and older one just 7. They both coped really well and just love skiing. 5 yr old has always been v well co-ordinated and active.
Same holiday, took friends with 6 & 4 yr olds - went into ski kindergarten and complete disaster! Younger one hated it, older one made miserable by younger one. Took ages to get them back on skis, and then only at Xscape :!:
Some ski schools set lower age limit at 5 or 6 and I can't see point of taking kids skiing to put them in nursery or kindergarten even if on skis - but then, if you plan to teach your child yourself the age doesn't matter so much.
Sorry to go on but I hope that helps :-)

Thanks, that's really helpful!

I agree that it depends on the Child but our older 2 kids both started when they were 3 and they loved it.

We started them in Austria because the ski instructors are much better with kids there then France. The majority of them are english speaking as well and far more patient with the children.

A concern though for very young children is the strenght of their little legs.

Also are they able to take instruction.

If you pick the right ski school and are prepared to spend some time settling them in then I would say get them started as young as possible.

Cheers

Max

I have heard recently that is not preferable to start skiing too young.That is because the kids legs and knees are not well formed.I am sorry but I can't tell you the limit but I still think it depends from the child. I started skiing at 4 and a half and eveything is fine with me.

I am sure that I was over tkaen by a 3 year old on a back run at ADH last week - maybe new skiers are getting younger .....or perhaps I'm just getting older!??

Good question. As stated before I think it depends on who is doing the teaching. My little girl aged 4 went to an ESF kindergarten type thing this year and hated it. I think though that the teachers generally had a rubbish attitude to the kids and of course they pick up on it.
However my neice also was with ESF (aged 5) and she got on really well and was skiing blue runs by the end of the week.
I think also at 4 maybe the legs aren't quite up to it.......

I think that you should judge a child on a case by case basis. a small frail 3 year old may struggle but a large strong 3 year ol is likely to be strong enough. If you are unsure put them in for a half day.

The instructures make a huge amount of difference the Austrians are typically very good, the french not so.

I think that it is also hugely important for you to spend some time there watching and supporting your child inititally don't just drop them off. Spend time asking the instructor questions and showin interest. the parents that get involved initially generally have the instructors take more time with them.

chose your school carefully classes that are too big and many different instructors are not good for a young child.

I always talk to my children about the instructors and the class and typically if they don't know the instructors name (amongst other things), I know that they are not spending enough time with them and I will spend more time making sure that things are good down there.

Skiing should be a fun experience for kids if it is not then I will whip them out as fast as you like and put them in another class or spend the time with them myself.