An Introduction to Ski Lessons for Children

Heading off to go skiing in Les Menuires? If you're taking the children along, they're never too young to start honing their skills on the slopes.

If you’re planning on teaching your children to ski during an Alpine holiday, many families find that skiing in Les Menuires, in the French Alps, with its ski school opportunities, wide range of nursery and green slopes, and relaxed, friendly atmosphere, is an ideal place for a child to make their first marks on the snow.

While expert tuition is always recommended for young children, it may help to understand the approach taken to teaching youngsters their first skills on the snow.

How Old?

Children can generally start to take ski lessons at as young as two years of age. Older children or young teenagers, however, will probably benefit from moving straight to learning the more adult techniques from the get-go. If you book a holiday to go skiing in Les Menuires, you'll have no trouble finding an instructor for any ages, and your child should be on their slopes in no time.

As for when you should start your child on lessons, that’s heavily dependent on the child. Many competitive skiers start to ski as soon as they can stand, but if your child is not interested in taking lessons you shouldn't insist: it’s supposed to be something to enjoy, after all! As long as the child is interested in the prospect of skiing they can start at any age, although for lessons they will need to be comfortable being away from their parents with an instructor.

Choosing Equipment

For those skiing in Les Menuires, there's plenty of help for beginners, in both ski shops and ski schools, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

The structure of children’s skis is pretty similar across the board, but the height can vary - they should reach the child’s chin when held vertically. A more timid or cautious child may benefit from using slightly shorter skis, while a more confident thrill-seeker may benefit from longer skis – up to their nose or mouth, but never higher than that. Always go shorter rather than longer if in doubt, as no child will benefit from excessively long skis and shorter skis allow for more manoeuvrability.

You could consider adjustable boots, to avoid having your child grow out of them too quickly, or you could buy the boots just one size bigger in order to have them last longer. Similarly, helmets should be adjustable, and they should fit neatly over the head. A little bit of movement in the helmet is acceptable, but not too much.

Warm Clothing

Appropriate clothing differs depending on the conditions where you’re skiing. In Les Menuires, the coldest parts of the year tend to have lows averaging around -6 degrees Celsius, cold enough to necessitate protective clothing. Appropriate ski gear is important for youngsters, both for the child’s comfort and their safety. It's a good idea for children to wear mittens over their gloves, and on colder days it’s worth having a thermal base layer underneath regular ski clothing.

Make Learning Fun

If you ensure your child has all the appropriate gear, the best thing you can do to help them really enjoy the art of skiing is to provide a supportive atmosphere in which they can really make the most of it – and have fun! Give lots of praise and encouragement and find an instructor with whom your child really 'clicks' and they’ll be joining you on the pistes in no time.

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