If you are interested in some tips for teaching your littles how to downhill ski, this article is for you! If they are steady and agile on their feet, meaning they can walk and run without falling often, then they can begin the process of learning to ski. I started teaching both of my kids to ski a few months before their second birthday, and both have loved the experience. The most important thing for you to remember is that it must be FUN! The rest of the tips are in addition to this golden rule.

1) Choose age-appropriate equipment

If the child is under 4 years old, consider starting with short skis that strap on to their snow boots. Ski boots are generally uncomfortable and awkward to walk in, so allow your child to be the most comfortable for their first experience. You can find Kids Plastic Skis for snow boots on Amazon and sometimes at outdoor stores like Canadian Tire or Mountain Equipment Co-op. I do not recommend using the poles to begin with, but if your child insists, allow them to use poles only to walk with their skis on (not to glide down a hill). If the child is older than 4, you will likely want to start them on skis with bindings for ski boots. Keep the skis short, closer to chest height. This is not something that you want the child to ‘grow in to’. The shorter the ski, the easier to maneuver and control.

First day with plastic skis that secure on to snow boots, trying to walk on the flats.

2) Keep it simple and short

For the first few sessions, keep your expectations and duration of activity LOW. Before a child can learn to ski down a mountain, they must be able to walk comfortably on their skis, and secure their ski boot in to its binding. Find flat terrain for your first session, and do not expect to leave this area. If your child is 2-4 years old, strap their skis on to their snow boots, and support them under their armpits and around their waist to walk forward. Have them stand unassisted, and when they are more comfortable with walking on skis, encourage them to do it on their own. If this goes well, finish the first session after 10 to 15 minutes. If there is a small slope nearby, and you are a competent skier, you can end the session by holding your child between your skis while you both glide down the slope together. This is JUST FOR FUN, do not let them go yet!

Fully assisted first glide down the hill on plastic skis.

3) Use props

When the child has had 2 to 4 sessions with your full support and assistance, he or she may be ready for some props to ski downhill. These props will help smaller children who are still developing muscular strength and coordination, and they will save your aging adult back! I have had the most success using SKI TIES harness and edgy wedgie, both purchased from Mountain Equipment Co-Op. You can also buy a similar product by RC on Amazon, though I have not personally tested the quality. The harness allows the adult skier to control speed and assist with direction. It is also very useful for helping a child up when they fall, by pulling up on the back strap. The edgy wedgie keeps the ski tips together for an assisted snow plow. In my experience, the edgy wedgies do break, so buy an extra one to keep in your pocket.

Practicing securing ski boot to binding. Ski Ties edgy wedgie and harness shown.

Ski Ties Harness. Straps can be removed or tucked into the back of the harness.

4) Coaching catch-phrases

Use fun language to teach young kids how to ski, and keep commands short. “Pizza” means snow plow, and you will be reminding your little skier OFTEN to make a pizza to stay in control. Teach kids to push their skis apart to make the pizza, and the edgy wedgie will keep the tips together until they are strong enough to do it themselves. “French fries” is for when you want the skis to stay parallel to each other. You will use this coaching command when the child is shuffling in the chairlift line up, or on a flat slope. Limit instruction to two commands at a time. For example, “Hands on your knees AND make a pizza”. This is the command I use THE MOST for dozens of ski sessions. As the child progresses, you can teach them to make turns “like a giant snake” or “drive their car” to keep their hands in front.

5) Praise and modelling

It is vital that you stay calm, positive and give praise for the immense effort that it takes to learn how to ski! Comments like, “I like the way you keep your hands on your knees” OR “that ski pizza looks so good I could eat it!” will be well received by a young learner. Demonstrate all of the skills that you are teaching, even how to fall and get back up. This is yet another reason for keeping the ski sessions short: as a coach it is physically and mentally exhausting to facilitate the whole experience, so give yourself a pat on the back too! On that note, reward yourselves with a special lunch or treat after your ski session. When the child becomes a more proficient skier, reward them with a ride on the chairlift. Above all else, HAVE FUN!

We earned this view at Whistler, BC, Canada!