Skiing for 4 Year Olds? Too Young?

Question

Firstly, we have twin boys and we are thinking about going to ski in Jan/Feb 2009. The boys will be just under 4 years old. I am wondering if that is too young for them to ski?

Let me also add that we live in Florida -- so, the boys are not used to snow and would only be around it for a week.

My concern is that my wife and I are going to fly cross-country and go to some ski resort and the kids are not going to be able to or want to ski. My wife and I want to ski a few days too (we are intermediate Blue run skiers), so we'd be skiing while the kids were in a day-long ski class (if that is available). They would probably go to two or three classes, every other day, while we are skiing.

If anyone could share their experiences, that would be great.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I learned to ski when I was four and had no problems.  I loved it and I did really well.  Little kids are pretty quick learners.  The only thing is that if they have never seen snow before, they will probably be much more interested in playing with it than skiing on it.  Just something to be aware of....

Oh, and I doubt that they have day long ski classes for children.  There aren't any where I go skiing.  Maybe it's different where you're going, but be prepared to have those kids most of the day.

Answer 2

I worked for Telluride Ski School booking lessons last season...I think your boys would have a great time skiing!!! Ski schools have different levels & your twins would start out in a group of children their own age (they have to be potty trained)  The instructors are all terrific and specialize in children's lessons.  You wouldn't have to worry about a thing...they feed them lunch, too, so you could enjoy an entire day of skiing by yourselves.  I'm sure that's an exciting idea for the two of you!!!!  I have seen a few children that age have some issues with separating from their parents, but I think since there are two of them, they would have less chance of that.  Cost might be an issue, but I think it's worth it for the two adults to enjoy their vacation!!

GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN:)

Maybe start showing them pictures of snowy mountains & skiers so that they might be a little familiar with the visual!!

I wouldn't recommend starting them out snowboarding.  Although some resorts do it, a lot of resorts don't even offer snowboard lessons until 6 or 7 years old.  The reason for this is that children at that age don't have strong enough ankles to support the actions of snowboarding.  I am a snowboarder of 15 years so obviously I think it's cooler & more fun, but get them started skiing & if they decide they want to snowboard in the future, they'll have a good learning foundation!!!

Answer 3

Go for it, just get them used to a few day care visits before the season and when you get them to the lessons, let the instructor do their jobs. If you want to watch great but stay away from them and somewhat out of sight. Everyone will have a better time that way. The instructors have many young students every day and usually are great at establishing a quick and enthusiastic rapport with their classes.  Expect the student to have a good time, and the instructors also.  If you also sign up for some lessons, the school will know where you are if you are needed.  Usually first time skiers are fairly close to our ski school lodge and we have a good supply of hot chocolate and sometimes some games or videos to keep the little ones occupied if need be.  Come visit an area and have a good time.

Answer 4

Hello I am a ski instructor.

Children from 3 yrs to 6 yrs at Perisher Blue Australia can have Junior Snow Kids lessons which are suited for this age group. Depending on their ability, young children may only be able to straight run on a gentle slope, although some can manage snow plough stops and turns with practice.

I would suggest to put them in a 2 hour max lesson with a qualified instructor and have a good break/lunch then ski a bit with the parents in the afternoon. It is important for the young ones to emphasise fun and if they can pick up the basics of snow ploughs then that is a bonus. Young ones are suited to one 2 hour lesson per day or 2, two hour lessons per day at the most.

Answer 5

haha... ok, this is the way i learned to ski... when i was 4 my parents took me and my sister skiing in Colorado. its a cool experience for the kids cuz you get to all follow in a line behind the instructor.  when we were done our parents took us down some green runs with them.  i loved the experience (although i wasnt always very cooperative back then) and im now 19 and still ski (although i mostly board now... both at expert level).

the only thing you may want to do is offer the kids the option to board over ski since for alot of them its cooler and more natural feeling.  however it can be harder to learn for them since falling is easier. only let them do this if they choose this over skiing of their own accord.

yeah overall theyll love it and so will you. lessons are the best idea so you can do some harder stuff and theyll learn really fast from the instructors.

Answer 6

Skiing for 4 years old is a perfect age.  I started to ski since i was 3.  Also the kids loving playing in the daycare because we have put my little sister who is 4.  They don't do very much of skiing because the kids lose focus so they play so its fine.  go enjoy yourselves.

Answer 7

i started skiing when i was 2 or 3 and i love it, from goin skiing every weekend in the winter i have learned it is easier to teach kids to ski when they are young..except they probably won't want to go at first but they'll most likely love it

Answer 8

We'll I learned to ski when I was 10, and I was one of the last people in my class of 20 to learn. I always wanted to as a kid, and I'm glad you're trying for your kids! My sisters learned when they were 7 and 5.

If I were you, I would go to my two favorite places to ski/ride

1) Beaver Creek, Colorado.

This is where I learned to ski. I only stayed there for 3 days with my dad, but I had a blast. There was a lot to do, and the ski classes were a lot of fun, even in April! There was ice skating, trampoline things where you jump with those ropes connected to you, and a lot of other stuff to do.

2) The Canyons, Park City, Utah

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD.

I've only been here four times, but I love it so so so much! My sisters learned to ski here, and so did my mom. It's so much fun for everyone. They have special weeks also for kids. They're normally the first week in January and the 2nd or 3rd in March. During these weeks, Nickelodeon characters ski around the slopes and walk around the area. They also have different activities every night, such as movies, reptile holding, story telling, plays, and other fun stuff. They have an excellent ski and ride school, ski rental for kids and adults on site, and great restraunts. If you were to go there, I would stay at The Grand Summit. You walk out the doors, and you're in the short line for the gondola. They also have a pool, a sauna, three hot tubs, a spa, 3 restraunts, and ski/board storage over night. I would really look into it if I were you! I've never been to a place where I can enjoy amazing shopping, eating, skiing/riding, swimming, winter fun, and seeing moose! Haha!

Answer 9

no its not too young.. i started skiing and i still had a diaper on... of course it depends if they will enojoy it or not. but im sure if the ppl take great care they will. depends where u go but some places ( mostly all of them) have a lot of activites for the young ones, not only ski, they have trails with stuffed animals, they do skanvanger hunts in the snow, ski while doign activites ( with a ball) all kinds of things.. so yah its gonna be fun for them...

Answer 10

It depends on both you and your boys. If they are a little scared of things such as heights, maybe wait for a while. If they are adventurous and willing to try new things (and get a bit wet), go for it. We were away for a week in France, and there were children who were under 1 year old-some could barely walk but were skiing! In countries where there is snowy mountains, the children are learning to ski the second they can walk-and sometimes before!

Answer 11

Getting started at this age actually is the best time to learn to ski. I am a ski instructor at Sugarbush Resort in Vermont and the kids love it there! We have a great program for young children first learning to ski. Before we head out on the hill we let the children interact with eachother and make friends. Once we get out there a bunch of us take different posts on a slope to teach them as we go. The children can even go snowshoeing in the afternoon if they would like to! It's a great experience, no matter what age and starting earlier makes it much easier to teach them. If taught at a later age the body is more stiff and is more slowly to learn new movements.

I hope i helped you! I've only been teaching for 2 years because I am only 15 years old, but I have been skiing everyweekend for almost my whole life!! I love it! All because I started out young!

Answer 12

My dad got me started when I was 3 and I have been doing it since and I love it

Answer 13

I agree, as long as your boys are physically capable and up to the activity, they will have a great time. Big resorts are geared to families like yours who come from all over the world. I would head for a large resort, Vail or Deer Valley would be good choices that would offer the kind of blue terrain you and your wife want as well as top-notch programs for families with kids.

Answer 14

Hey there, 4 years is a great time to have your kids learn how to ski. I began when I was three, and the best range of ages to start them in is 2-5 years old. The first time that they go out, they may not want to go at all, but once they try it and see how fun it is, they'll be hooked in two days...trust me.

However, I would not suggest that they go every other day until they have it down. SInce they are learning, I would suggest that they go three days in a row, so then they can eventually progress enough to ski with you.

Hope this helps.