Ski School for the first time

The six-year-old couldn't quite grasp how he'd get to the top of the snow-covered hill. "Do you fly up?" Max asked during the drive to the mountain. "Drive a truck?"

Any way he could get to the top of the hill, Max was determined to ski down. And just a day after putting on skis and boots for the first time in Vermont, helmet securely buckled, my little six-year-old cousin was riding a chairlift, practicing turns. “Look at me!” he yelled.

An entire area at Stowe is earmarked for beginners, and the instructors here as elsewhere in the country, believe in getting beginners out on the slopes right away.

A lot of the kids who are new to skiing have taken part in other activities that emphasize balance, giving them a head start on the slopes.

Every parent knows that the key to family-vacation nirvana is making sure the kids have fun. Here’s how to make that first time on the slopes one that will make them beg for more:

• Leave the teaching to the pros! At the end of the day, you can take a few runs and see what they’ve learned.

• Choose an age-appropriate program, like those at Stowe. Resist the temptation to put younger kids with older siblings unless you want to opt for “private” lessons.

• Encourage but never force them

• Opt for a time if possible when the ski school won’t be packed—during the week, for example, not during the holidays. A tip: Go midweek, before or after the holidays, to get the best deals.

• Rent their gear on the mountain so they’ll not only have the latest gear, but if there’s a problem, it can be quickly replaced.

• Make sure they’re well rested and well-fed. If you’ve just arrived after a long flight or drive, give them a day or a morning to acclimate, visiting the ski school first.

• Outfit them properly with long underwear, moisture-wicking ski socks, fleece sweatshirts, and waterproof pants, mittens and jackets, and goggles. Stash a power bar in their pocket “just in case,” though the younger kids typically stop for hot chocolate and cookie breaks,

• Smear sunscreen on their faces and give them a tube to use at lunch. Stash lip balm in a pocket, too.

• Rent or buy a helmet to protect their head. Research shows that helmets can reduce the risk of brain injury by as much as 75 percent; for more information on helmet use, visit www.lidsonkids.org).

The worst mistake parents can make when introducing their children to snow sports is setting expectations too high, ski school directors say. Just remember, there's always next year.

Copyright Eileen Ogintz 2005 For more Taking the Kids™, visit www.takingthekids.com