Skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding, snowshoeing: all of these great family adventures and more await – if you can get your children used to the cold. Especially if you don’t live in a country where snow is common, it can be hard to give little ones a chance to enjoy the wonders of the great outdoors in winter.
Winter sports also tend to come with some inherent risk, which can make parents, and in turn, kids, more nervous. But if you can all learn the safety rules and are sensible, snowy pastimes are an amazing way to push out of your comfort zone, grow in confidence and most importantly, just have fun.
Whether you’re a keen skier and want to bring the kids along, or are just getting started yourself, here’s three tips for introducing children to winter sports.
#1: Don’t rush them
Kids rarely do well when they feel like they’re being pressured into something, or are too far out of their comfort zone. If you’re already an experienced winter sports enthusiast, it can be tempting to jump in the deep end with your kids, but you need to make sure that you’re paying attention to both what they’re telling you and their body language.
They might grow to be confident on the slopes, but they don’t need to be a champion right away – so make sure to balance between gently pushing them to try something new and stopping when they feel uncomfortable. They’ll enjoy it more if they’re having fun, regardless of their natural ability.
#2: Do a family day out on the dry slope
Quality time is very important for kids and parents – when your child sees that you want to spend time with them, they feel valued and it builds their confidence. So, rather than automatically packing them off to ski school for their first time on the snow, why not take some lessons as a family on the dry slope or a small ski resort and take it slow before you go on your vacation? As well as giving them practical experience, it’s a great way to show that you’re invested in their enjoyment and happiness.
If you’re not sure if a winter sports holiday is right for your family, a few sessions on the dry slope or a small ski resort can also give you a good indication of whether you should be taking your kids on vacation or if it should maybe be an adults-only trip. You don’t want to get out there and find they hate it, struggle with tantrums, or have to look after them in the hotel all day instead of being on the snow.
#3: Book them into kids club
If your child is social, kids’ club is a great place for them to feel like they’re getting an independent holiday away from their parents – but with the peace of mind of a qualified instructor for you. Kids clubs are designed with little adventurers in mind, so they’ll get instruction that’s age-appropriate, but also get to play games, crash out and warm up with hot chocolate and a movie, and make new friends.
If you feel like this will take away from your family’s bonding time, you could always compromise: put them in a club for the morning or afternoon, and take them out yourselves in the other half of the day.
Ultimately, introducing your children to winter sports is all about being led by them and helping their confidence grow. Before you know it, you’ll all be out on the slopes!
