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What kind of skis are best for teaching toddlers? Do they make boots that small? I want to get Superstarlet Punani on the hill before she turns 3 in February, and ripping down Chair 10 before she turns 4.
Here's some stuff I was looking at on eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=21244&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=21244&rd=1
Maybe I'll give Adam and the boys a call..... :D
i've definitely taught my share of 2 and 3 year olds at alta...it really is fun, just takes time and patience. they do make boots pretty small. pm me...lots to say on this topic
Why not just post it, AC? God knows there's not much to read on here today, plus others might find the info valuable or have points to add. That's kinda the point of a forum.
From what I've seen, it's best to just let the kids enjoy the enviorment at such a young age. A cold, snowy ski hill with tons of new people tromping around in big plastic boots and funny clothes is very strange to them. If they want to just hang at first and eat some snow, well, cool, but NEVER push them into this thing. You could scar them for life. Patience, patience. Just because your neighbor's kid seems to be ripping at 4, doesn't mean yours should. As we all know, it's all about fun, and if they ain't having any, well.....
Oh, yeah, pros are worth the money if you know they're good, just like the girlfreind/wife thing.
Look for 70 (if possible) or 80cm skis. There is a seller on E-bay; fanni_nanni or fanni_rev or fanni_something(?) that handles a lot of small childrens stuff. I got my daughter (just turned 4) a pair of Dynastar shapes w/bindings for $45 plus shipping. Boots are a bit harder to come by, she wears a 9 and the smallest anyone local can get is a 10. Local hill has rentals that will fit her though so I'm sure the 'Weed can hook you up. Don't expect much from your daughter as far as skiing goes, slope time probably won't be more than 2-3 hrs in 30 minute increments.
Most of the kids I've taught are jelly on the first go around. key is to make sure the kid has fun, forget about what you want.
That said, they come back with a feeling they already know it, enjoy and are ready to learn. Ain't nothin better than passin it on!
Same as my girl, "Wheee, faster Daddy faster!"Quote:
Originally posted by Tap
miniTap PowRippah turns 4 in January, so he's gonna be learning this year....2nd year with his sticks, but last year he just rode between daddy's legs
Also, Altachic I'd love to hear any good insight as to how to really teach kids to ski, I'm operating on the trial and error method with a bit of instruction thrown in for good measure.
I found with my tax exemptions, it was cheaper to *shudder* "rent". They just outgrow boots too freakin fast. I think they can change like 3 sizes in a season?Quote:
Originally posted by Punani
What kind of skis are best for teaching toddlers? Do they make boots that small? I want to get Superstarlet Punani on the hill before she turns 3 in February, and ripping down Chair 10 before she turns 4.
Here's some stuff I was looking at on eBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=21244&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=21244&rd=1
ok, ok iceman...i'll post. With these little kids, especially 2 and 3 yr. olds, it's all about patience. That's key. There are some super small boots that are made, just a bit hard to find. Try skis that don't have so much shape, it's easier for them to catch on with a straight ski. Take breaks, as many as they need and want. They'll want to keep trying if you allow them to have that fun with eating the snow, looking around and just standing there. Ski in front of them, don't ski with them between your skis, or they won't catch on and be independent. It's all about the pizza and french fries when teaching. Wow, i hate sounding all PSIAish...good thing that's not my gig anymore, although i miss teaching sometimes...anything else??
PIZZA! Damn, I told mine pie. Gawd I'm stoopid...no wonder they now like the single plank:)Quote:
Originally posted by altachic
ok, ok iceman...i'll post. With these little kids, especially 2 and 3 yr. olds, it's all about patience. That's key. There are some super small boots that are made, just a bit hard to find. Try skis that don't have so much shape, it's easier for them to catch on with a straight ski. Take breaks, as many as they need and want. They'll want to keep trying if you allow them to have that fun with eating the snow, looking around and just standing there. Ski in front of them, don't ski with them between your skis, or they won't catch on and be independent. It's all about the pizza and french fries when teaching. Wow, i hate sounding all PSIAish...good thing that's not my gig anymore, although i miss teaching sometimes...anything else??
I'll add my .02 here as well...
From my experience teaching kids, everything that has been said already is true, don't push too much and let her have the desire to go ski. (I've had too many kids just start to cry on the mountain complaining that they don't want to ski and they just want their mommy.)
The straight skis are the best bet for her size. Also consider getting an edgie wedgie to put on the front of her skis. That will help her keep a wedge when moving downhill. At that age they don't have the muscle strength to manipulate the skis too much, so it helps out a lot.
I think my folks had me in socks/shoes/more socks then skiboots... circa early 70s...
will also be crossing this bridge soon...
quit while you're havin the most fun I've heard so the memories are good...
would snowlerblades work for miniskiers? :all they're good for:
I had my first two out on skis at 2 years old, the third will be starting this year. Like Splat said at 2 they are pretty much jelly. I only took them up if they wanted to go and stopped when they wanted to stop. At 2 years old it is all about hot chocolate in the lodge. You really have to be patient and expect that once at the hill they will change thier mind and not want to ski. I had them ski beside me holding onto my ski poles which I was holding horizontaly with 2 hands. That way they has a feel for sliding and holding them selves up while at hte same time if necessary I could hold them up. They fall down alot and getting up over and over wears them out quickly so I would stand them up on thier feet for them most of the time. It is really hard for them to get used to standing & manouvering up with planks stuck to thier feet and they may tend to get frustrated so once again you have to help them.
Basically just be patient and go with whatever works for the kids.
let 'em bomb around the house in ski boots-to get used to them. if you have a place that can take the damage-put the skis on too-
I started at 4 and barely remember it. So I'm no help in that department other than I knew it was fun as hell.
However, Spats and I were drooling over gear at Sports LTD at the Y last weekend, and I noticed a super short pair of skis (not snowlerblades). So I'd give them a call if you want. Depending on the price, it may just be better to rent.
My 2 cents.
Total cutie SuPu!! Does she ever come with you up to the Weed? If you want, I'll watch her while you ski some time since I'll probably have to take it easy this year anyhoo.
But also - GET A WORMIE! One of those things that attaches the tips of the skis together so it's easier to make a pizza.
I started both of my boys at 2, but they really don't get it until 4-5.
The key is "Peer Pressure", get some other kids the same age and get them out there and have fun. Ideally the other kid is a little better and in my case, a girl.
When I took them out alone they just got bored with it after an hour. When I took the two boys out together, it turned into a brawl. I finally found a friend that had two girls a little older than both of my guys and it just clicked. It made a world of difference keeping the kids interested.
I got a pair of 80's with some really small boots I will sell you cheap. KabertatAOLdotcom.
hmmmm, you COULD try the time-tested instructional method of all the guys who seem to find their way on the lifts beside me (caution: this is a modified rurun of something i believe i've posted over at powmag, but dammit it IS a slow day):
1) leave the kid with the wife
2) ditch them both
3) pretend to be single, until the wife squawks through the radio that the kids are getting cold and she needs you to meet her at the bottom right fucking NOW
4) turn off radio
but of course none of THOSE guys hang out here! ;)
PS mini-supu is really cute! she is clearly destined for greatness. please dont teach her to drink like daddy, though, mmm-k? thx.
PPS where is the pic of mini-Tap? and how does he ski between daddy's legs when daddy's on a s________? :p
Good Idea! You can just pull one off your NKOs or FaGS.Quote:
Originally posted by watersnowdirt
But also - GET A WORMIE!
I can see the conversation at the top of the bunny hill.
"Daddy?"
"Yes sweety?"
"I"M GONNA RIP THE SCHIT OUTTA THIS!!"
POTD!!!Quote:
Originally posted by char
I can see the conversation at the top of the bunny hill.
"Daddy?"
"Yes sweety?"
"I"M GONNA RIP THE SCHIT OUTTA THIS!!"
On a slightly more serious note, I'd consider renting gear the first few times. If she likes it after a few times then it's probably worth it to buy the gear. I know my parents spent lots of money on sports I never ended up persuing as a kid.
Hey, it turned turned into a decent thread instead of a two-post thread and a buncha PM's. Thank you for bearing with me.Quote:
Originally posted by altachic
ok, ok iceman...i'll post...anything else??
If you all would just accept me as your king, this would be a lot easier.
mais bien sur, monsieur Tap!Quote:
Originally posted by Tap
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic15492.jpg
here's a not to clear picture of the miniTap taken with the NookBombs camera-phone.
Tap skis too, jah know!...multi-dimensionality is so, like, au courant
he is sooooo cute! he looks wise. just like a young jedi should.
SP I took Mac Daddy junior up last year on his 23rd month.
He was jelly, but it wasn’t about skiing as much as it was getting him used to the idea of sliding on the white stuff.
He wore a helmet and his Obermeyer jacket and was the most styly 23 month old around.
We started off on a very minimal slope and I walked behind him as gravity took him down about 10 feet at a time.
He loved it but he wasn’t getting the hang of standing while compensating for the forward movement. So I had to hold him up most of the 10 feet.
We did it for about a half an hour and I called it quits when he was ready to eat snow and throw snowballs instead.
We rented at Gart Brothers for $6.00 a day. the smallest boot they had was a 9 or 10 which was a little big at the time but it really didn’t matter...we where just out there to get him to have fun and used to the awkward equipment
One last piece of advice buy one of those little wedgy clamps that WND called a "wormy" you need that to keep the tips from crossing
Very vital when you are dealing with 'jelly'
Also please go on a sunny and relatively warm day.
Have fun
Whoa, internet people offering to take care of your children.Quote:
Originally posted by watersnowdirt
If you want, I'll watch her while you ski some time
Thanks everyone! I'll keep you guys posted on her progress :D
Now i don't have any kids cause i'm only 17, but i remember my first time skiing my parents stuck me in a ski school at age 3 where they have you put your hands on your knees and just slide down the 20feet of bunny slope...unfortunately i had the flu at the time and i fell asleep on my skiis while i was coasting down the hill...i'm pretty sure the people in the ski school freaked out cause they'd never seen anyone fall asleep on skiis before...but anyways, good luck with your daughter, i hope she rips!
Quote:
Originally posted by MacDaddy
SP I took Mac Daddy junior up last year on his 23rd month.
He was jelly, but it wasn’t about skiing as much as it was getting him used to the idea of sliding on the white stuff.
He wore a helmet and his Obermeyer jacket and was the most styly 23 month old around.
We started off on a very minimal slope and I walked behind him as gravity took him down about 10 feet at a time.
He loved it but he wasn’t getting the hang of standing while compensating for the forward movement. So I had to hold him up most of the 10 feet.
We did it for about a half an hour and I called it quits when he was ready to eat snow and throw snowballs instead.
We rented at Gart Brothers for $6.00 a day. the smallest boot they had was a 9 or 10 which was a little big at the time but it really didn’t matter...we where just out there to get him to have fun and used to the awkward equipment
One last piece of advice buy one of those little wedgy clamps that WND called a "wormy" you need that to keep the tips from crossing
Very vital when you are dealing with 'jelly'
Also please go on a sunny and relatively warm day.
Have fun
And again this Sunday, right?
I took my boy out when he was three, he loved it. I took my boy out when he was four, he loved it. I took my boy out when he was five, he hated it.
The first time was at Powder Mountain, the next year was at the Canyons, the last year was at Alta. Hmmm....
I'm thinking he'll dig Solitude.
BobMc
Quote:
Originally posted by BobMc
And again this Sunday, right?
I took my boy out when he was three, he loved it. I took my boy out when he was four, he loved it. I took my boy out when he was five, he hated it.
The first time was at Powder Mountain, the next year was at the Canyons, the last year was at Alta. Hmmm....
I'm thinking he'll dig Solitude.
BobMc
The way he was hucking off the couch that night I was there you just need to bring him out here to the Palisades and he'll love it. ;) :D
Judging by those pics and the way she is hamming it up for the camera she definitely takes after her dad.;)
Therefore, I bet she will like it alot more if you let me film little Superstarlet Punani. :D
BTW, I am not kidding, I will have a Superstarlet Punani segment in next years movie, just gotta teach her a couple simple phrases;
1) "1 2 3 DROPPING....."
2) "Hey, check me out, I'm gonna rip the poopoo out of this."
:D
Started both my kids at 3 1/2. The key is to make sure they have good gear/clothing. make sure they don't get cold, if they do, it's all over. Once their hands or any other part of their body get's cold....they shut down and just want to get the hell out of there. I used the harness on both....harness goes around their waste and you hang out behind them about 8 feet or so holding on to the reins. Give them so rein.....tell them to constantly put their hands on their knees, promoting keeping their weight forward.....teach them the pizza/snowplow. When they get to the point where they can make snow plow turns and can stop, whenever you tell them, then the leash comes off.
Both my kids started on chair 9 during this phase, by the afternoon they were skiing chair 7, no problems....other than they needed help with getting on/off the lift.
In my opinion the leash kicks butt.
My 2 cents
Do those things actually work? I have one but my son wouldn't use it, "because nobody had one on their skis" so I've never tried it. Looks like it could be worth trying with my daughter.Quote:
Originally posted by MacDaddy
One last piece of advice buy one of those little wedgy clamps that WND called a "wormy" you need that to keep the tips from crossing
Very vital when you are dealing with 'jelly'
What really helped my son (and me) was some private lessons with an attractive 20 y/o instructor. He always wanted to ski with her instead of me, I don't think he quite had it figured out that I had to pay her. Anyway she was able to teach him a pretty good stem turn with about 4 lessons so it was well worth it. It probably would have taken all season, since obviously parents couldn't know anything about skiing and he would be better off to his own method.
My son at 5
http://tinyurl.com/vzkf
That way I can convert her to snowboarding - ha ha ha ha!! Just kidding! Don't kill me, please!!!Quote:
Originally posted by powpowpowderwheels
Whoa, internet people offering to take care of your children.
lph - that's hilarious: "1, 2, 3, I'm gonna rip the poopoo out of this!" I LOVE IT
I taught both of my nephews when they were 2.5. Like said above patience is key and don't get any expectations, it's really an intro. I did ski both of them between my legs but they were real young and the sloped kind of dictated it. It seemed a waste of time but they liked it even though they were little more than puddles of jelly between my legs. Thing is by the next season they were burning around so clearly something went in and there was some muscle memory taking place. I think Tbars are great because it just gives that much more time to learn about sliding. Make it fun, they'll learn as much about it (aquire skills) by just walking on the flats on the skis and playing.
They moved east but came back for a visit when the older nephew was 4. I took him up the lower chair after we'd exhausted the bunny hill. He got to the top and just starting balling. Seeing the parking lot below freaked him out. I carried him down balling all the way and yelling at me to slow down. 4 days later he's skiing a steep black diamond waving his arm and yelling at his mom to watch him while he skied. Resillient little buggers at that age.
He's racing FIS now and did two training camps in Europe this summer/fall.
The younger one used to ski with his Mom and fall asleep on the chair, then she'd ski him down between her legs still asleep and looking dead to people watching. That would signal the end of the day. He's racing and doing camps in Europe too.
Just let the little one find her own pace and interest. She'll learn to love it that way.
Make sure the skis are base beveled lots and definitely not railed at all. It's all about rotary movements of the leg at that age so it has to be easy. My nephews both started on 80cm skis which I think was the smallest around.