The Easy-Learning Ski and Snowboard School: Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz & Meribel

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Top Tips for Happy Kids Ski and Snowboard Lessons

A few Ski with Ease top tips for skiing with kids (and snowboarding with kids)

We know kids learn best when they are happy and having fun. So, here are some top tips for skiing with kids and prepping them for a great time in ski school.

Top tip number one.. All kids should know not to eat yellow snow.. Joking.

But seriously, Pee before ski.. We want to make the most of ski lesson learning time and want to avoid an inconvenient safari pee behind a tree.

PACK A POWER SNACK:

We always monitor energy levels and adapt kids ski & board lessons to ensure they learn the most whilst having lots of fun. This may mean we have to stop to take five.

It is always a good idea to ensure your child has a little power snack in their pocket to keep them going, along with some money for a hot drink should the weather change.

We always try to make these power pauses educational, from learning piste and safety signs, ski etiquette and understanding techniques.

Making kids ski lesson snack break fun!… Visit our YouTube Channel – Watch A Ski Snack Break

STAYING HYDRATED:

Make sure you carry enough water with you. High altitude, active sport and sun = dehydrated and irritable.

SUN CREAM:

Often forgotten and only remembered when it is too late and you are already painfully burnt.

Rays from the sun bounce back from the white snow giving a double whammy frazzle. Slap on the sun protection before skiing and regularly throughout the day whatever the weather. Care on overcast days is just as important, as the rays reflect back from clouds as well as the snow.  Remember, in the Alps you are a couple of thousand meters closer to the sun!

Make sure you cover your lips, ears and back of the neck with sunscreen,; cracked lips and sunburn are not a pretty look. Another top tip is to buy a high factor waterproof sun cream before you travel, as resort prices are likely to be a lot more.

Do what a lot of ski instructors do! decant into an old camera film pot and keep in an easy reach pocket.

MOUNTAINS, SUN & EYES:

Please make sure that you and your children have a pair of sun glasses or goggles for snowy days. Our adult advice is to avoid metal framed ones as they can be a danger should you fall. For kids, the straps that clip onto the sunglasses are pretty handy to help prevent loss.

When purchasing goggles make sure they are helmet compatible and do not push down too hard on your nose. In poor light the pink or orange tint lenses help with definition.

You will receive a 10% Off Discount Code with Naked Optics when you book your ski lessons / snowboard lessons with us.

Our partner: www.nakedoptics.net

WHAT TO WEAR:

Sunny days don’t necessarily mean that it is warm! In the mountains the weather and temperature can change very quickly. Quality clothing is essential for you and your children. Multiple layers are best with the ability to layer up and down when needed.

Storing glove liners and a neck tub in a small pocket can be a god send, weather can change in the space of a lesson. Mittens for small kids can be better than gloves as they keep hands warmer and are often less fuss to put on.

Pack spare gloves for your trip, one pair for wearing another drying; Kids will drop them on wet restaurant floors, loose one or want to build snow men, one pair for a holiday is often not enough. Make sure the gloves are securely attached with wrist straps.

One pair of quality ski socks is advised as two can rub and cause blisters. Top Tip; too often ski instructors find thermals and elasticated snow gaiters of ski pants tucked into the boots and rubbing skins. Make sure the only thing that goes in your boot is your foot and sock. Elasticated snow gaiters are to keep the water and snow out, ensure they are stretched over the top of the boots and not inside as they can rub and ruin a holiday.

SKI EQUIPMENT:

Take your time in the shop to get it right first time. It is OK to try more than one pair of boots as fit can differ between makes and models.

Boots should hold a foot like a firm hand shake. Buckles should be done up so they snap shut. A heel kick on the ground can be helpful to ensure your foot is in position before clipping up. Do the middle buckles up first to pull the foot into the back of the boot then the top and bottom clips.

Once in, stand up and push your shin forward to the front of the boot and see how many fingers you can get down the back of the boot in the calf area. As a guide, you should be only able to get two fingers down the back of the boot. Boots often have micro clips so you can twiddle to get a half crank tighter or to looser.

Ensure you choose a pair of ski boots similar in size to your normal shoe size. Too large and movements are not effectively transmitted down to the skis; risk rubbing, and lessen control.

If you are thinking of buying equipment, remember you receive a 10% Off Discount Code at Snowtrax Store and Leki UK ski poles when you book your ski lessons with us.

www.snowtraxstore.co.uk

www.leki.com/uk

SKI HELMETS:

To help you make the right choices; for the pro’s and con’s of wearing a ski helmet; advice on correct fitting or whether to rent or buy follow this link to my specialist ski helmet guide – post.

SKIS:

When kitting out smaller children with skis, make sure that the skis stand no higher than their nose.

CHILDREN AND SKI POLES:

If beginners, they generally will not need poles for the first few days, unless they are around 8-10 years old or so. For parents this can be a good thing, it means less for you or your children to carry, get stabbed with, dropped and tripped over with until they get used it all.

And finally, check their boots! We get many young beginners arrive with boots on the wrong feet!

Ski boots on the wrong feet
Oops, who helped dress me today?. Got ski boots on wrong feet