Take your kids skiing: Tips to enjoy the mountain with young ones

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We’re in the thick of winter here in Canada, the perfect time to head to the slopes. For mountain enthusiasts with young children, gearing up for a day on the hill may be as daunting as the first camping trip or surviving the first flight with a baby.

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Teaching your kids to ski or snowboard is no easy feat and comes with challenges; however, like all things in parenting, it can be extremely rewarding. Follow these simple tips to ensure a smooth, mostly stress-free day in the snow.

6 tips to help get your kids on the mountain

Start small (really small)

Keep your expectations low for the first few outings. Be content with getting them into all of their winter clothing, helmets, goggles, boots and skis or snowboards strapped on and one or two trips down a short slope as you run alongside or behind them. Leave your own skis or boards at home for the first few outings.  Use gentle slopes or bunny hills to give them time to familiarize themselves with the new environment and new equipment.  

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Make it fun

Armed with the knowledge that your kids won’t last long on skis or boards (start with 10-minute bursts) for the first few trips, plan to incorporate fun and age-appropriate games into your day while keeping them in as much winter gear as possible. Think snowman building, riding up and down the gondola (if you’re at a resort), scavenger hunts or just simple nature walks and exploration.

Praise their efforts

Kids love positive reinforcement – it’s science! A win is a win — celebrate the big and small along your journey. Make sure your kids feel safe and supported at all times.

Prioritize their pace and listen to their cues

Just like a trip to the grocery store can go south if your kiddo is hungry or tired, pay close attention to their energy and hunger levels. Have them eat a big, balanced breakfast (I see you, parents of picky eaters) and pack pocket snacks or a bag. Keep them hydrated, plan around naps and offer many breaks.

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Consider a professional lesson

Like I said, teaching your kids to ski or snowboard is not for the faint-hearted. There have been many times I needed to politely excuse myself to go scream at a tree. It can be frustrating and overwhelming for both parent and child. Hiring a qualified instructor can be a huge benefit to the child’s overall learning and give parents a (well needed) break.

If you’re lucky enough to reside in B.C. or plan to visit, we have been utterly blown away by the kid’s snow school lessons at Whistler Blackcomb. Our three-year-old is enrolled in the weekly kids club program, which is incredible value for money — it’s cheaper than a babysitter, plus they learn a new skill and get fed. The level of care, experience and patience is unmatched. Anyone who can wrangle four or five toddlers on skis is a true angel. Plus, it gives us parents — said snow enthusiasts — a lovely break to explore the terrain in Whistler, often voted the top resort in Canada.

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Get the right gear

All ski or snowboard gear should be comfortable and fit appropriately, but nothing is truer than when outfitting a small child. Make sure you’re meticulous about sizing to ensure your kiddo stays dressed for the day without ripping off items or layers.

The best kids’ skiing and snowboarding gear

Snowboard and bindings: Kids’ Burton After School Special Snowboard — a snowboard and bindings combo, the After School Special is famous around here. You can’t hit the mountain without seeing many mini groms wandering the hill with a tiny board in hand. Both board and bindings are super soft, making gearing up and learning a cinch. 

Snowboard boots: Kids’ Burton Mini Grom Snowboard Boots — we love the oversized hook and loops, which make pulling these up a breeze. The boots are soft and flexible, making them a winner for multiple hours of wear. They start as small as 7C.

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Skis and bindings: Rossignol Experience W Pro Skis with Team 4 GW B76 Ski Bindings Junior are specifically designed with a junior flex and rocker profile to make learning easier, plus they’re currently 30 per cent off. Try Facebook Marketplace for a good deal if you’re unsure whether your little one will want to continue with the sport.

Base layers: Icebreaker has 100 per cent natural merino wool pieces to keep kiddos warm on the snow. We love the Kids’ Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings paired with the Kids’ Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top. 

Midlayer: Layering for cold weather is important for everyone enjoying snow sports (read our complete layering guide). We reach for the Smartwool Kids’ Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer 1/4 Zip Boxed for our second layer, another 100 per cent merino piece that helps with natural sweat management, odour-resistance and temperature regulation. On extra cold days, we add a second layer of bottoms as well. Try the Smartwool Kids’ Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottom Boxed.

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Outerlayers: We have tried many, and our favourites changed as our little one aged. She started on a snowboard at two years old and wore a one-piece MEC Toaster Bunting Suit since we knew we would be out for such short bursts. This ensured no snow down her pants or back.

We slowly switched to something more lightweight and easy to get on and off. We love The North Face Kids’ Freedom Insulated Jacket, which comes with a load of features, including “Good to Grow” cuffs that extend as your child gets bigger, powder skirt and a secure, zipped pass pocket. We pair this with the Columbia Kids’ Adventure Ride II Bib, which we find to be the highest quality, most reasonably priced kids’ bibs on the market.

Neckwear: We love the ultra-stretchy and warm Polar Neckwear Junior by Canadan brand Buff. They have lots of fun colours to choose from.

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Helmet and goggles: Protecting your little one’s head is of utmost importance, so look for a helmet with MIPS technology (a specially designed impact-absorbing foam liner) like the Giro Spur Combo Pack Toddler Ski Helmet and Goggles. The Giro goggles don’t fog up and come with the purchase of your helmet. 

Ski and Snowboard Training Harness: The Launchpad is a training harness worn over your child’s clothing to help control their speed, complete with a shock-absorbing bungee leash held by the parent or caregiver.

Edgie Wedgie: A must for new skiers. This little piece of equipment attaches the tips of skis together to keep them in a snow-plow position or “PIZZA” as I’m always shouting. Great to keep speeds low for beginners and less stress for parents.

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