12 Tips for First Time Skiers

For both parents and children, going skiing for the first time can seem daunting. But it shouldn’t be. Ski resorts want you to be happy. Of course, they want you to have fun – they want you to come back. Here’s what first time skiers need to know to make that initial ski trip easier.

Planning your first ski trip? Or taking your family skiing for the first time? These tips will help first time skiers feel more comfortable on the slopes. Pick one of the top ski resorts for kids and follow this advice for a successful first ski trip.

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Wear the Right Stuff

1. Dress in layers. The importance of dressing in layers cannot be emphasized enough. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, so you will be glad if you can peel off or add on a layer.

Read More: 7 Tips for Choosing a Family Friendly Ski Resort

2. One pair of socks at a time, please. You need one pair of socks, not four. Thick socks can make it hard to fit boots; one pair of light to medium weight socks is fine. Bring a spare pair of socks for every member of the family, in case the first pair gets wet. I find that Smartwool ski socks keep your feet warm and dry.

3. Don’t leave home without the sunscreen. Sunscreen offers both wind and sun protection. Make sure to cover all exposed skin.

First Time Skier Tip: Get the Right Equipment

4. Goggles are nice. Ski goggles are not necessary, but sunglasses that block UV light are. One advantage of investing in a pair of goggles, though, is that they have a strap, so you are less likely to lose them.

5. Hats and mittens required. Bring hats or headbands and mittens or gloves; again, an extra pair of dry mittens and a second hat is vital. Once kids (or adults) are cold or wet, it is difficult to make them happy again and enjoy being outside. Note, too, that your regular mittens may not be adequate. We were bringing one of our kids to ski class at Smugglers’ Notch years ago and the instructor made us go buy new mittens.

Safety First

6. No scarves necessary. Leave scarves at home. They can get caught on the ski lift, or blow off if not tied tightly enough. My kids hate the constricting feel of turtlenecks, so to keep their necks warm, I get them neck gaitors, which are like a cylindrical scarf with no ends, and looser than a turtleneck.

7. Helmets for all.  Ski resorts do not require helmets, though Heavenly, in Lake Tahoe, even requires employees to wear helmets. Resorts encourage you to wear (and rent) one, but it really pays to bring your own. First, you want to get your child comfortable in a helmet, and if he can pick out a color he likes, that can help. Also, you want to make sure a hat fits under the helmet, and while you are picking up your rental equipment is not the right time.

The Early Bird has the Best Time

8. Get there early. Don’t show up right before a lesson begins. There is paper work to fill out, and fitting for rental equipment can be time consuming. Some resorts offer ski rental the day before a learn-to-ski package begins, to save time in the morning, when people are eager to hit the snow. If you rent from a place close to home, you can spend more time focusing on fit, but then you have to lug the equipment from the parking lot (and remember, you will probably have to carry your kids’ skis and boots as well).

9. Take a lesson. Any ski resort worth its powder has special ski programs for first time skiers, whether children or adults. Many adults hit the slopes with friends and no formal instruction. But it’s a good idea for adults to take at least one lesson to learn how to turn, stop and fall without hurting themselves. Some programs start at age 2, with a gentle introduction to skis. Kids play in the snow while wearing ski boots, getting a feel for the equipment.

Start Them Young

10. Little ones need groups. If you are putting your 2, 3 or 4 year old in a small group setting, she should have some prior group experience. The added stress of being in group lessons for the first time can make kids unduly anxious. Private lessons are always an option, but kids learn from other kids and can learn more, and have more fun, in group ski lessons.

11. Be honest. Honestly assess yourself, or older kids, before getting out on the snow so the ski instructor doesn’t have to spend time reassessing. But speak out and express your own needs. If you feel a class isn’t challenging enough, tell the instructor.

12. Don’t forget a snack – a non-mushable one. Pack an easy-to-eat snack in your kid’s jacket, particularly if he is skiing with a friend, or going out for hours with a group. A granola or energy bar that he can eat on a lift can power him through a few extra runs, and he can eat it with his gloves on. CLIF Kid organic whole grain ZBars come in s’mores or peanut butter flavor and are scaled down from the adult size. One of my kids once stuck a banana in her pocket for a mid-morning snack. She fell and smushed the banana and then wanted to get a new coat.

Bonus tip: Buy your lift ticket the night before – you’ll save time. And if you buy it online, you might save some money!

Don’t forget to add other winter fun at the resort like sleigh rides and snow tubing with kids.