Getting your kids on snow is every skiing parents dream. Sharing the passion you have for being in the mountains with them is something that can be hugely helpful, it can also create all sorts of pressures both in terms of the day to day of getting kids out of the hotel every morning and their (and your!) big picture enjoyment of the whole experience.
When it comes to kids learning to ski, making it fun is essential to keep their interest and boost their confidence on the slopes. Here are a few tips to make the experience enjoyable for them.
What age can I get my kids on skis?
You can start your little one skiing as soon as they are good walkers, so if you are a super keen ski family then it’s no problem to get your child on skis from around 2 years old, if they are keen.
For the youngest learners (1-3 years), keep the lessons short and make it all about a fun experience rather than how much they can progress.
Kids from 4 years old and up are much stronger and more coordinated and can pick up skiing more quickly and really get a feeling of making progress even in one lesson.
Making holidays easy with little kids - top tips
Rent equipment and pick up ski passes the night before, if you have time, that way you have all your kit ready to go for your first day.
Limit how much you walk in ski boots, little kids legs get tired so save their energy for skiing (maybe you can carry their normal snow boots in your backpack so you can put them straight on when you finish skiing).
Don’t forget the suntan lotion – even on a partly cloudy day the suns rays are strong at altitude, plus it’s good protection against the wind and cold.
Take breaks during your ski day – keep energy levels up with a hot chocolate stop.
Have an emergency chocolate bar or snack in a pocket in case energy levels suddenly run low.
Keep clothing as easy as possible – gloves with a wide space to get little hands in is a big help (especially as kids hands get wet… think of their temptation to make snowballs at every opportunity). One piece suits are warm and super easy for little kids, and are also great for speedy toilet stops.
Don’t forget to factor in loo breaks, the need to go ‘right now’ can be tricky when you are half way down a piste and then have a lot of ski clothing to contend with.
Book lessons – whether it’s in a group or private lesson, let the professionals teach your kids to ski in a fun and safe way. Kids who have fun love skiing and can’t wait to go again next year.
Kids ski lessons - what lessons should I book?
Should you book group or private lessons?
The best choice for you and your child will depend on a number of different factors. Group lessons are really great if you are on a budget and if your child is confident learning in a social environment. Private lessons work well for kids with any specific learning needs or fears, where cost is less of a concern, you are looking for faster progress and you would like greater flexibility in terms of timings and meeting points.
Many families find that private lessons are a great starting point and then as their child builds in confidence and loves skiing, they really enjoy being in a group with other kids.
Questions to ask when booking:
- How many kids in the group?
- What language is the group taught in?
- If it’s a private lesson can I book a teacher to teach in my kids in their native language?
- Can you request a particular teacher for private lessons (male, female, younger, older, someone who likes jumps or someone who will work on technique)?
- One of the most important factors is to find a wonderful ski teacher – someone who will help your child fall in love with skiing as much as you do.
...kids just want to have fun 🙂
How to get around Zermatt:
Zermatt is car free, so it’s good to get an idea of where you are staying an how to get to the lift stations… so you are not walking long distances with kids in ski boots.
- Bus – there are 2 electric bus lines in Zermatt and they are free with your ski pass. The main one is the green line which runs up and down the river and does a loop by the Gornergrat train station. The red line runs a similar route by the Gornergrat but then heads up to Winklematten, so it’s useful if you are staying around there. For more information check out: https://www.e-bus.ch/home.html
- Taxi – perfect if you want to go direct from your hotel / chalet to the lift station (but the cost will add if you do this to and from the lifts each day). Check out TaxiGo for booking online: https://www.taxigo.ch
- Walk – if a bus or taxi doesn’t sounds like the best solution for you in Zermatt then we would recommend renting from a shop next to one of the lift stations, so you an leave your equipment there to make it easier 🙂
Kids in Zermatt love
Kids get great discounts on ski passes:
Under 9yrs - FREE
Under 16yrs - 50% off
Under 20yrs - 25% off
Saturdays - All kids under 16 ski for free!
