Opinions on lessons for my son

zlathim · 18-09-06, 04:59 PM

I am an intermediate skier but barely. I skied in high school and then didn't ski again until 12 years later. I took it up again in 2002, and last year I went about 7 times.

My son (2 1/2 years old) went with me about 5 times. We stayed on the "coach hill" of course, and he did learn to snow plow pretty good when in a harness with 2 "leashes" being controlled by me. I would ski behind him and keep him from going out of control. We had a great time, but I am really looking forward to getting him on some more challenging runs sometime this season.

This year we both have season passes and new skis. I am wondering if I should enroll him in lessons, or even if they offer lessons for 3 year olds. If so, can I trust him to the care of the instructor? I am a bit overprotective, and the thought of turning him loose with someone on the hill is not comforting. That being said, I really feel like I am not the best person to teach him how to ski. I do ok for myself, but i don't really know how to teach someone how to ski.

So what do you guys think? Should I try to get him into lessons, or just take him on the coach hill another year?

Michael · 19-09-06, 03:09 PM

I definately think you should get him into lessons. It will give him the opportunity to enhance his skiing skills from such a young age. I'm sure they would have some classes for 3 year olds as that would be the age that many young ones start skiing.

In regards to trusting the ski instructor, I wouldn't be worried about it. If an instructor is taking a lesson for 3 year olds I'm sure they have the proper training etc.. to deal with younger kids.

Just my opinion.

zlathim · 19-09-06, 03:15 PM

I looked up some lesson info for our local ski hill online last night. They do offer lessons for 3 year olds. I am convinced that it is a good idea, but my wife doesn't like the thought of him being in an almost 4 hour(they play and watch movies in addition to skiing to make sure the little ones have fun) class. I will have to convince her that it is OK before I get the green light to enroll him. I told you that I am overprotective, and my wife is 10 times worse, so I have my work cut out for me. Wish me luck and thanks for the response.

zlathim · 05-12-06, 04:56 PM

I ended up going with the private 1 on 1 lesson for my son. He has had 1 lesson so far, with me there watching. The instructor gave us some stuff to work on for the next few outings and then he will take another lesson. It seems to be working so far...

canadianskier · 08-12-06, 12:08 AM

I am an instructor in Canada and recommend lessons. I find alot of parents come to us because they have lost patience trying to teach the kids themselves. I'm not saying thats your case but it can get frustrating. Keep kids in lessons as long as you can, it will pay off. Instructors in Canada are definately trained to work with children and their abilities at that age, I am sure its the same in the U.S. We are also trained to be very safety concious, and know what to do in an emergency. This rarely happens in my experience. Have Fun!

zlathim · 08-12-06, 02:07 PM

Thanks canadianskier.

My son is doing great right now, and we plan to continue with the lessons. The instructor we had last Saturday was excellent and she really knew her stuff. I am totally impressed with the progress that my son is making.

Thanks for responding.

SkiCatDad · 16-12-07, 07:16 PM

I am going to teach my 2 1/2 year old to ski this year. I don't think I'd want him with an instructor. I'd rather teach him myself. Maybe if there's a class that you could attend with him. Remember kids like to figure things out on their own. My son is all about doing things on his own, so I don't know how he'd respond to a stranger standing over him saying, do this or do that.

Good luck and let me know how things go with your son.

kerpal · 29-01-08, 02:54 AM

Give some lessons too... its a good feeling as a father when he teach his son some lessons about skiing.. Give him some tips..

Adam · 29-01-08, 03:30 AM

Lessons are always a good thing for kids to get their technique right and progress to the next level, but remember they still want to learn from you too!

skimom · 29-01-08, 12:26 PM

I'd suggest keeping the private lessons with an instructor. My experience with group lessons with young kids is that they spend more time changing clothes, eating peanut butter and waiting for the instructor to babysit the child who doesn't want to be there than actually learning to ski. When my boys were young, they hated group lessons. At about 8, they started with a ski club wherein they ski with an instructor and a group of 4-7 kids grouped by ability. Now at 15 and 19, they are double black diamond skiers in Colorado. Can't keep em off the slopes!

justskiit · 19-06-08, 11:23 PM

PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) offers training and credentials specific to teaching children. PSIA-NW offers ACE (Advanced Childrens Endorsement) I+II, PSIA-W offers CS (Childrens Specialist) I+II. Other regions have similar programs with different names but the intent is the same, to provide instructors with information and test their ability to teach children. Children 3 and under respond best to a one on one (private) lesson. Children 4 and above can do well in group lessons. Once a child is skiing independently in control the group experience is always positive. Bear in mind that each day is different and challenges can make learning seem difficult but it is not rare that a group will gel with their instructor and a day of magic occurs. It's the goal of childrens training and certification to identify the instructor behaviors, class handling techniques and teaching methods that produce the most consistent results.

18-09-06, 04:59 PM	#1
zlathim crashing hurts Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 153	Opinions on lessons for my son I am an intermediate skier but barely. I skied in high school and then didn't ski again until 12 years later. I took it up again in 2002, and last year I went about 7 times. My son (2 1/2 years old) went with me about 5 times. We stayed on the "coach hill" of course, and he did learn to snow plow pretty good when in a harness with 2 "leashes" being controlled by me. I would ski behind him and keep him from going out of control. We had a great time, but I am really looking forward to getting him on some more challenging runs sometime this season. This year we both have season passes and new skis. I am wondering if I should enroll him in lessons, or even if they offer lessons for 3 year olds. If so, can I trust him to the care of the instructor? I am a bit overprotective, and the thought of turning him loose with someone on the hill is not comforting. That being said, I really feel like I am not the best person to teach him how to ski. I do ok for myself, but i don't really know how to teach someone how to ski. So what do you guys think? Should I try to get him into lessons, or just take him on the coach hill another year? __________________

19-09-06, 03:09 PM	#2
Michael I haven't picked a title Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 391	I definately think you should get him into lessons. It will give him the opportunity to enhance his skiing skills from such a young age. I'm sure they would have some classes for 3 year olds as that would be the age that many young ones start skiing. In regards to trusting the ski instructor, I wouldn't be worried about it. If an instructor is taking a lesson for 3 year olds I'm sure they have the proper training etc.. to deal with younger kids. Just my opinion. __________________

08-12-06, 12:08 AM	#5
canadianskier Shredder Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 44	I am an instructor in Canada and recommend lessons. I find alot of parents come to us because they have lost patience trying to teach the kids themselves. I'm not saying thats your case but it can get frustrating. Keep kids in lessons as long as you can, it will pay off. Instructors in Canada are definately trained to work with children and their abilities at that age, I am sure its the same in the U.S. We are also trained to be very safety concious, and know what to do in an emergency. This rarely happens in my experience. Have Fun! __________________ When you come to a fork in the trail......... take it.

29-01-08, 02:54 AM	#8
kerpal I haven't picked a title Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 11	Give some lessons too... its a good feeling as a father when he teach his son some lessons about skiing.. Give him some tips.. __________________ Gimme some differnt skiing techniques... Common, please gimme some tips

29-01-08, 03:30 AM	#9
Adam I haven't picked a title Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 81	Lessons are always a good thing for kids to get their technique right and progress to the next level, but remember they still want to learn from you too! __________________ Thanks, Adam

19-09-06, 03:15 PM	#3
zlathim crashing hurts Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 153	I looked up some lesson info for our local ski hill online last night. They do offer lessons for 3 year olds. I am convinced that it is a good idea, but my wife doesn't like the thought of him being in an almost 4 hour(they play and watch movies in addition to skiing to make sure the little ones have fun) class. I will have to convince her that it is OK before I get the green light to enroll him. I told you that I am overprotective, and my wife is 10 times worse, so I have my work cut out for me. Wish me luck and thanks for the response.

05-12-06, 04:56 PM	#4
zlathim crashing hurts Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 153	I ended up going with the private 1 on 1 lesson for my son. He has had 1 lesson so far, with me there watching. The instructor gave us some stuff to work on for the next few outings and then he will take another lesson. It seems to be working so far...

08-12-06, 02:07 PM	#6
zlathim crashing hurts Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 153	Thanks canadianskier. My son is doing great right now, and we plan to continue with the lessons. The instructor we had last Saturday was excellent and she really knew her stuff. I am totally impressed with the progress that my son is making. Thanks for responding.

16-12-07, 07:16 PM	#7
SkiCatDad I haven't picked a title Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 25	I am going to teach my 2 1/2 year old to ski this year. I don't think I'd want him with an instructor. I'd rather teach him myself. Maybe if there's a class that you could attend with him. Remember kids like to figure things out on their own. My son is all about doing things on his own, so I don't know how he'd respond to a stranger standing over him saying, do this or do that. Good luck and let me know how things go with your son.

29-01-08, 12:26 PM	#10
skimom I haven't picked a title Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3	I'd suggest keeping the private lessons with an instructor. My experience with group lessons with young kids is that they spend more time changing clothes, eating peanut butter and waiting for the instructor to babysit the child who doesn't want to be there than actually learning to ski. When my boys were young, they hated group lessons. At about 8, they started with a ski club wherein they ski with an instructor and a group of 4-7 kids grouped by ability. Now at 15 and 19, they are double black diamond skiers in Colorado. Can't keep em off the slopes!

19-06-08, 11:23 PM	#11
justskiit I haven't picked a title Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mammoth Lakes CA Posts: 11	Children's specialist PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) offers training and credentials specific to teaching children. PSIA-NW offers ACE (Advanced Childrens Endorsement) I+II, PSIA-W offers CS (Childrens Specialist) I+II. Other regions have similar programs with different names but the intent is the same, to provide instructors with information and test their ability to teach children. Children 3 and under respond best to a one on one (private) lesson. Children 4 and above can do well in group lessons. Once a child is skiing independently in control the group experience is always positive. Bear in mind that each day is different and challenges can make learning seem difficult but it is not rare that a group will gel with their instructor and a day of magic occurs. It's the goal of childrens training and certification to identify the instructor behaviors, class handling techniques and teaching methods that produce the most consistent results. __________________