Mentally prepare your child for an awesome first ski lesson

Here’s some tips on how to avoid separation anxiety and nervousness for your child’s first ski lesson.

Use videos to introduce ski lessons

1. Here’s a video example from the Breckenridge Ski School that does a great job providing an overview to kids. Watch it together and pause to talk about any questions.
2. Do not hide the fact that you’ll be separated during lessons, but rather let them get excited about the new people they will meet and learn from.

Try on gear and basic ski movements

• This is a great time to try the recommendations in this blog post about what to practice before your first lesson. Plus, it is a great time to try on all your gear, making sure day 1 is smooth and confident!
• Focus on things like Carrying Your Own Skis, Putting on Ski Socks, and Putting on Mittens to make sure your child is practicing self help skills that will make them feel more self reliant on the mountain.
• https://teachyourkidtoski.com/ski-skills-to-learn-at-home-with-your-child-before-your-first-day/

Ask your child to pick out some gear and snacks

• You might not love their choice of chartreuse goggles, but if that’s what it takes, then run with it.
• Do they want pancakes or waffles for breakfast before your first day? Let them decide.
• This ownership helps provide them some control in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.

Make it special — take a family photo

• Learning to ski for their first day is a big deal on a life-long sports journey. Mark the occasion with something similar to a ‘first day of school photo’ or other special commemoration.

Don’t hover during ski lessons

• Let your child be with their instructor, and don’t be there as a lifeline for your child. Kids learn much better if you don’t hover.
• Wait to take any photos until after the lesson is well underway. Try to stay out of visual range of your child throughout the lesson.
• Inevitably, if you are close by, when your child starts to feel uncomfortable (which everyone does when learning a new sport), your child will try to engage you and shift attention from learning to ski.

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