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As a professional ski instructor and a mom of five, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to help kids feel comfortable in ski school. When kids are comfortable and confident from the beginning, they’re much more likely to have a positive experience and will learn so much more from their lesson. However, if they’re nervous or uncomfortable, it can set the tone for a difficult day—and make them hesitant about skiing in the future.
Thankfully, with some preparation and a few simple strategies, you can set your child up for success in ski school. Here are 14 tried-and-true tips to help your kids feel more comfortable and excited about ski school and being away fro mom and dad on the slopes. These are tips I’ve used with my own kids and have seen work with so many other children in ski school over the years.
1. Talk About What to Expect
One of the best ways to ease your child’s nerves before ski school is to talk to them about what they can expect. Kids feel more secure when they have a basic understanding of what will happen. Explain what ski school will be like, from meeting their instructor to learning new skills and skiing with other children.
Tell them about the fun they’ll have, the games they’ll play, and how ski school is a chance to make new friends while learning how to ski. Paint a picture of ski school as an adventure where they get to explore the mountain with their classmates.
If I were telling my kids about ski school, and they were new to skiing, here’s what I would tell them:
Are you excited for your first day of ski school? Here’s what your first ski day will look like and it’s going to be so much fun!
When you arrive, you’ll check in and get your cool ski gear – you’ll put on your ski boots, helmet, and goggles, and once you’re out in the snow, you’ll get your skis on. Then, you’ll meet your instructor, who is super fun, and a group of other kids just like you who are all learning to love skiing too. These will be your new ski buddies for the day!
Next, you’ll walk over to the magic carpet, which is like a moving walkway at the airport! You’ll hop on with your skis and it will carry you up the small hill – how fun is that? At the top, you’ll play games with your instructor to learn how to stop and turn on your skis. And guess what? After some fun on the snow, you’ll go inside and drink yummy hot chocolate to warm up!
Then it’s back outside to ski again, and maybe you’ll even try the chairlift to go all the way up the mountain! It’s high up in the air, but don’t worry, your teacher will site next to you and there’s a safety bar to make sure you stay in place. After skiing some more, it’s time for a yummy lunch break inside – I think they have pizza and mac & cheese. Once your belly is full, you’ll ride the chairlift more and ski down the mountain with your new friends. And don’t worry—there’s always time for more hot chocolate!
At the end of the day, mom and dad will come to pick you up, and we are so excited to go take a few ski runs with you to see all the gret things you learned. What an amazing day you’ll have at ski school! I know you’re going to do great and have so much fun learning how to ski!
2. Visit the Ski School Area in Advance
Taking a quick tour of the ski school area before their first lesson can make a big difference. When kids are familiar with their surroundings, it reduces their nervousness. Walk around the ski school drop-off area with your child and point out the lodge, the magic carpet, and where they’ll be meeting their instructor.
If you can, do this the day before your child’s lesson so that they have time to get used to the space. Familiarity breeds comfort, and this small step can make them feel much more at ease when the day comes. This can be really informal and works great as just a family walk when you arrive at the ski hill the night before.
3. Dress Them Comfortably
Keeping your child warm and comfortable is essential for a good ski school experience. If they’re too cold or too hot, they’ll be distracted and uncomfortable, making it harder for them to focus on learning and having fun.
We always encourage parents to have their kids in good ski gear, but this is especially important in ski school. Since you won’t be there to help them add or remove clothing, it’s important to dress the well from the beginning.
Make sure they’re dressed in moisture-wicking base layers that will keep them dry and warm. On colder days, a mid-layer like a fleece or puffy will help keep them warm. Pay special attention to their extremities—hands, feet, and head—as these are the areas most likely to get cold. Wool ski socks, and a great pair of mittens will be life savers! Although most ski schools have helmets, we usually recommend that kids have their own ski helmet and goggles to make sure that it fits properly so that it protects them as good as possible (rental helmets rarely fit my own kids well). If your child is comfortable in their gear, they’ll have a much better day on the mountain.
Kids who are too cold or get wet and freezing often end up sitting out a good portion of their ski school day. Ski schools DO NOT provide new ski clothes for your kids if what they have isn’t working, so it’s worth the investment to get them good gear from the beginning. Read all about how to dress kids for skiing if you have any questions.
4. Pack a Familiar Snack
Skiing takes a lot of energy, and kids can sometimes get cranky when they’re hungry. Sending your child with a favorite snack tucked into their pocket can be a great little reminder of home.
Whether it’s a small granola bar, fruit snacks, or a special treat, having something familiar to eat during breaks can boost their mood and give them the energy to keep going. Plus, it gives them something to look forward to during snack time, which can help make ski school feel more fun.
5. Meet the Instructor Together
The first day of ski school can be intimidating for some kids, especially when they’re meeting a new instructor for the first time. I always recommend introducing your child to the instructor in person at drop-off. A friendly handshake and a smile from the instructor can help put your child at ease.
Stay just long enough to make sure your child has everything their need. If you linger too long it can make them unsure about the situation, so if you can confidently meet the teacher, have a positive interaction, and then be excited about their day when you say goodbye, this will start your child off on the right foot. This brief introduction can help build trust between your child and their instructor, making it easier for them to feel comfortable throughout the day.
6. Encourage Them to Make Friends
Ski school is a great opportunity for your child to meet other kids who are also learning to ski. Encouraging your child to make friends with their classmates can help them feel more excited about the experience. Explain that everyone in the class is learning together, and they’ll have fun skiing with kids their age.
Sometimes, having a new friend to laugh with on the lift or practice turns with can make all the difference in helping your child feel more confident and engaged. At the end of the day, ask your child about their classmates—this helps them reflect on the social aspect of ski school and encourages them to keep building friendships.
7. Give Them a Positive Send-Off
Drop-off can be one of the most emotional moments for parents and kids. The best way to make it easier is to give your child a positive, upbeat send-off. Offer lots of encouragement, remind them that they’re going to have fun, and tell them you can’t wait to hear all about their day when they’re done.
Keep goodbyes quick and confident. Lingering too long can actually make kids more anxious, so a quick hug, a wave, and a smile are usually best.
8. Start with Shorter Sessions
If your child is really young (2-4), new to skiing, or feeling nervous about ski school, it might be a good idea to start with half-day. This allows them to get a taste of ski school without the pressure of being on the mountain all day.
Once they’re comfortable with shorter lessons, you can gradually increase the length of their time in ski school. Starting small helps build their confidence.
9. Stay Positive After the Lesson
When the lesson is over, focus on keeping the conversation positive. Ask your child about the fun things they did, what they enjoyed most, and any new friends they made. Avoid putting too much emphasis on performance—remember, skiing is about having fun, not just improvement.
If your child had a challenging day, help them focus on the positives. Praise their effort and remind them that learning to ski takes time. This keeps them excited to come back and try again. After each lesson, I always ask my kids, “What was the most fun part of your day?” It keeps the conversation light and reminds them that I want them to be having fun on the hill.
10. Arrive Early
Giving yourself plenty of time on ski school mornings can help reduce stress for both you and your child. Arriving early means you have time to get your child dressed, use the restroom, and calmly check them in for their lesson. A rushed morning can lead to unnecessary anxiety, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the lesson starts. Traffic to ski resorts on weekends and holidays can be really heavy, so factor that in as well (or opt for ski-in ski-out lodging). If you need to get rental equipment, see if you can get it the night before, or come a little extra early to get fitted for that.
11. Let Them Choose the Gear They Wear
Letting your child pick out a fun ski accessory—whether it’s a colorful helmet cover, neck warmer with their favorite character, or bright ski socks—can help them feel more confident and excited about heading into ski school. Having something special that they chose can make them feel proud of their gear and more eager to get out on the slopes.
I DO NOT recommend letting your child pick out their ski pants, ski coat, or helmet though. While it’s fine for them to choose the color, you should be choosing these pieces based on performance and fit, not looks. I know that my daughter would have choosen a cheap sparkly coat for years if we had let her – which would have left her wet and cold on the ski hill (I’m so glad that we picked good gear for her instead).
12. Check In with the Coach After the Lesson
After the lesson, check in with their coach to see what they learned. Ask them for the skills that they did well on and where they need work. TEll your child how proud you are of the things that they did great, and file the things they need work on away in the back of your mind.
Ask your child open-ended questions like, “What did you like best today?” or “Did you have fun skiing with your new friends?” Keeping the conversation light helps your child reflect on the positive parts of the day, even if they faced challenges. This keeps the focus on fun and helps them feel excited about their next ski school experience.
13. Don’t Drop in Mid-Day
As tempting as it might be, don’t drop in on your childs ski class during the day. This almost always creates problems and often leads to tears from kids who are starting to get tired. If you do want to see your child during their ski lesson, do it discretely and from a distance. This allows you to check and see that they’re doing okay, but lets your child focus on the lesson. Unless you see a major problem, don’t step in! Remember, the ski school has your number and will call you if there’s ever an emergency.