Skiing with the kids - is it worth it?

Broche07

I've got 2 girls a 4 and an 8 year old and they went to Kilternan last weekend for their first ski lesson and they loved it. So We think we'd like to take them skiing, however, the 4 year old got pretty tired after an hours lesson and I'd say the 8 year old could manage 2 hours tops.

If we went skiing and they went to the ski school I think they'd be wiped out after 2 hours, what do they do then? what do we do then? it feels like it might not be worth bringing them until they've got some stamina.

What do people think? is it worth it?

Thx

Rew

We went last year with our boys 4, 2.5 and 3 months. the 4yr old did ski school (french Piou Piou) 9.15 to 12 and was fine. The other 2 hung out with a nanny 9-12. In the afternoons we did sledding, ice skating, skiing etc. We all had a good time, there were ups and downs. We only got to ski properly in the mornings so we did lessons to improve our own skiing. Kids were in bed asleep by 7 or 8. Your up early and in bed early.

Were going back next month the older 2 will do Piou Piou younger one will hang out with an nanny. Afternoons we will try do more practice skiing with them this time. Piou Piou (and the equivalent else where) is pretty tame so your 4yr old should be fine with the 3 hours. Full on ski school for the 8 year old bit more intense but if she got on ok in Kilternan then should be fine.

The way we see it is were setting them up early for ski holidays every year. Great bit of advise I got form someone who took their kids skiing was its the one holiday their kids still want to go on with them every year even though they are grown now. In a couple of years they will be well able for full ski school and skiing with us in the afternoons.

olaola

Will let you know in a week... we're off with the 3 year old & the 18 month old. We've been bringing him hiking and making sure he's doing good long walks so hopefully his stamina is decent enough!

a148pro

If you're after a skiing fix leave kids at home (if possible) and get 2 - 3 days just yourself.

If not too pushed and can go for a week, particularly with other family to mind kids then you can probably get out for a few half days here and there.

The joy of skiing with your kids is fantastic, and as we get older our capacity to ski hard is lesser anyway. Plus you want your kids to improve to a good level. My brother now goes on family trips where he skis with his kids all day and loves it.

Its a measure of how addicted I am to skiing that when my wife was pregnant with our first I consciously thought i'll be able to go skiing with that child in a few years.

So to answer your q - to get a pure skiing fix, and to get a break from the monotony of life and work, go without them. To get a family joy buzz bring them and keep one eye on training them up to be good ski companions.

keith_sixteen

Depending on where you go, there will be facilities where you can drop them off and have them looked after they do their couple of hours in the morning.

Then the adults can head off for a couple of hours skiing. There will also often be playgrounds in the snow and could also do things like sledding. Doable imo.

dzer2

We have always brought the kids with us. 5 of them.
All went to lessons at 3 yrs old and loved it.
We go to Austria where you get full day lessons 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon.
They have a lunch break of 1 1/2 hrs supervised which costs 10 euro, This leaves us free to ski for the day and pick them up at 3.30pm.
We always ski together for the last day when the little ones have improved and are capable to ski some simple blues or this year difficult reds.

rofno1

dzer2 wrote: »

We have always brought the kids with us. 5 of them.
All went to lessons at 3 yrs old and loved it.
We go to Austria where you get full day lessons 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon.
They have a lunch break of 1 1/2 hrs supervised which costs 10 euro, This leaves us free to ski for the day and pick them up at 3.30pm.
We always ski together for the last day when the little ones have improved and are capable to ski some simple blues or this year difficult reds.

This.

Go to Austria, Just back last Saturday with a 4,7 and 9 year old. Zero to blue runs in 3 days. Drop them off at 10am pick them up a 3.30, give Instructor €10 for lunch. Ask them where they are having lunch & you can meet them.

Then ski you pants off.

Edit: Stick few small chocolate bars in pockets, kinder bars etc., to give them energy boost when needed.

Broche07

Thanks everyone, that's great advice. We might be too late to get ourselves organised this year but definitely next year!

dzer2

rofno1 wrote: »

This.

Go to Austria, Just back last Saturday with a 4,7 and 9 year old. Zero to blue runs in 3 days. Drop them off at 10am pick them up a 3.30, give Instructor €10 for lunch. Ask them where they are having lunch & you can meet them.

Then ski you pants off.

Edit: Stick few small chocolate bars in pockets, kinder bars etc., to give them energy boost when needed.

Which resort were you at

rofno1

Westendorf. Two excellent ski schools there. Cracking spot for Kids. Nursery slope right in village so not dragging kids miles with gear.

dzer2

rofno1 wrote: »

Westendorf. Two excellent ski schools there. Cracking spot for Kids. Nursery slope right in village so not dragging kids miles with gear.

Yeah we were in Kitz same as.

Hired the gear at the gondola 100mtr walk to ski school. Ski schools are fantastic 11yr old was in with the local kids as it was local schools week. He was third in his race at the end of the week which is some achievement in that company.

olaola

Just back from Schladming, we ended up bringing the mother in law for kid-cover. The resort is fabulous, but not really set up for the nippers. Getting him back from school was a faff. They loved it though, he's not 4 until April, but he was grand with all the rigmarole. Thought he might have an issue with boots etc, but was totally grand, just wanted to get on the magic carpet all the time. He wasn't conquering any slopes by the end of 3 days (just 2 hours a day), but he enjoyed it, so that's the main thing.

MadDogGreener

We went to Passo Tonale in January with Crystal Ski. 8 year old and 4 year old (just turned 4) booked into the "whiz club". Both loved it. However the 8 year wanted more skiing than was getting with whiz, so booked extra lessons in the afternoons. And took him out with us in some of the other afternoons. 8 year old was on (easy) red runs by day 4. 4 year was on blue runs. Couldn't believe it.

The 4 year old keeps asking when we're going back

Previously we went five year ago (Son was then 3.5years old) to Morzine and used PiouPiou. He loved that also. He was just supposed todo morning ski lessons, and then afternoon craft, activities etc. However ended up going out skiing for Morning and Afternoon sessions.