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Skiing with kids is one of the most rewarding family activities you can do in the winter. There’s nothing quite like watching your children experience the joy of learning to ski down a snow-covered mountain, learning new skills, and gaining confidence on the slopes. But getting to that point can be a challenge. As a professional ski instructor and mom, I’ve seen plenty of kids—and parents—struggle with motivation. I’ve been there both with my own kids and my students, but I have lots of great tips to help reignite that love of skiing. Whether it’s fear, cold weather, or just plain tiredness, keeping kids excited about skiing can sometimes feel like an uphill battle.
Here are my tried-and-true methods to help motivate your kids to ski, based on my years of teaching and skiing with my own children.
1. Start with Fun and Build Confidence Slowly
One of the most important things to remember when motivating kids to ski is to keep it fun, especially in the early stages. It’s easy to get caught up in teaching technique and expecting progress, but kids are more likely to enjoy skiing—and want to continue—if they associate it with fun.
When I first start teaching my own kids to ski, I use simple games to keep them engaged. We played follow-the-leader, tag, and Simon Says, where we would weave in and out of small trees or make silly turns, and they would follow, giggling the whole way. By the time we finished a run, they had forgotten they were even learning. They were just having fun with mom.
Example: I once worked with a child in a lesson who was very nervous about skiing. Instead of focusing on turns or stopping, we made a game of it. We pretended we were airplanes, holding out our arms like wings as we glided down a gentle slope. By the end of the day, not only had this child gained confidence in their balance and ability to ski, but they were also asking to go faster and faster with each run.
2. Celebrate Small Wins
Kids love feeling like they’ve achieved something. Make a big deal out of small successes, whether it’s their first time putting on skis, mastering the magic carpet, or making their first stop without falling. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in keeping kids motivated.
When my son was starting out, he was struggling so much more than his older siblings, so I made a point of celebrating every small win. If he linked together a couple of good turns, we high-fived and talked about how awesome he did. On every chairlift ride, I’d give him a little treat (tic-tacs are my kids favorites for skiing), and mention something he did great, and tell him how much fun I was having with him. When he finally made his first full run without a crash, we celebrated by grabbing hot chocolate with extra whipped cream at the lodge. These little victories kept him eager to improve and try new things.
Example: In one of my ski lessons, I worked with a 6-year-old girl who was struggling with stopping. She was frustrated and on the verge of tears. I told her, “Let’s break it down. Can you stop for just one second? That’s all you need to do.” When she managed a short stop, we celebrated like it was the biggest achievement of the day. Her face lit up, and that little boost of confidence helped her keep going.
3. Use Rewards and Incentives
Kids respond well to rewards, and you can use this to your advantage on the slopes. It doesn’t have to be a big reward—sometimes a simple treat like hot chocolate or a fun family activity after skiing can be enough motivation to keep them excited.
In our family, we’ve always used small rewards as motivation. Every chairlift ride starts with me passing out ski treats to everyone who is happy. For bigger skills that the kids were having a harder time mastering, they would get to pick their favorite dessert in the lodge once they had mastered it, and we always made a big deal out of it.
Skiing can be exhausting for mom and dad too, so feel free to offer other rewards for the kids who make YOUR ski day easier. In our family, we often tell the kids that everyone who cleans out the car and helps put ski gear away until the job is done gets pizza for dinner…and everyone else gets leftovers.
Example: I once had a student who really struggled with keeping up his energy during a full-day lesson. I brought a small bag of M&Ms and used them as a reward every time he finished a run. He didn’t need much—just a little boost after each successful attempt, and suddenly, he was motivated to keep going.
4. Involve Them in the Process
Kids are more likely to stay motivated if they feel like they’re part of the adventure. Let them help plan the day or choose which run to ski next. Giving them some control over the day’s activities can make them feel more excited and engaged.
Before each ski trip, I ask my kids which runs they want to try or what they want to work on. Sometimes they want to try skiing through trees, while other times they’re excited to try a slightly steeper run, or a few laps in the terrain park. Even something as small as letting them decide when to stop for a snack can make a difference in their overall attitude for the day.
If your kids are a little bit older, see if they want to invite friends. This has worked wonders for our teens when they get frustrated with always skiing as a family. Our kids rarely complain when they have friends around, and are usually really well behaved!
Example: A family I taught last season had a young boy who didn’t like being told what to do. I asked him if he wanted to be the “captain” of our ski adventure, which meant he got to decide which trails we’d go down and when we’d stop. This simple shift in power made him feel like skiing was his idea, and his enthusiasm for the sport skyrocketed.
5. Encourage Friendly Competition
Many kids are naturally competitive, and you can use this to your advantage. Friendly competition between siblings or even with mom and dad can help kids push themselves to improve.
When my kids were learning, I would often challenge them to little races. “Who can make it to that sign first?” or “Let’s see who can stop the closest to me!” and especially “Who can have the biggest spray when they hockey stop?” These small competitions got them to work on their skills without even realizing it. If you don’t have multiple kids, you can even challenge them to beat their own personal best.
Example: I once had a student who loved beating his older sister at anything. During the lesson, we turned that competitive spirit into motivation. “Can you turn better than your sister?” I asked. He gave it his all, and suddenly, he was pushing himself to ski better than ever before.
6. Be Patient and Adapt to Their Needs
It’s important to remember that every child is different. Some kids might be naturally excited about skiing, while others need more encouragement and time. Be patient and adjust your approach based on your child’s unique needs.
My daughter was naturally hesitant about skiing. While her younger brother jumped in with enthusiasm, she needed more reassurance. Instead of pushing her, we took it slow, focusing on building her confidence in small steps. This often meant that one parent would ski with her and the other parent would ski with the other kids. The key was letting her go at her own pace and making skiing a positive experience. Remember, we’re building lifelong lovers of the sport, not just one season wonders!
7. Keep Warmth and Comfort a Priority
Nothing kills motivation faster than being cold or uncomfortable. Before hitting the slopes, make sure your kids are dressed properly for the weather with good base layers, ski socks, waterproof outerwear, and a great pair of mittens.
On one ski trip, I made the mistake of not checking my son’s gloves before heading out. He had used them the day before during a snowball fight and the inside had gotten soaked, and he had forgotten to dry them out. Within 15 minutes, he was cold, his hands were soaked, and he was miserable. After a quick trip to the car for dry gloves (I keep a spare pair in our gear bag) and a warm-up break, his spirits improved dramatically. Keeping kids comfortable is essential to maintaining motivation.
Cold kids are almost always miserable and they’ll make everyone around them miserable. If you need suggestions, I’ve written a really helpful article about how to keep kids warm while skiing.
Example: During a family lesson I taught, a little boy was freezing and ready to give up. After realizing his socks were wet, we took a break to dry his gear and warm up inside. Once he was comfortable, his motivation returned, and he was back out on the slopes in no time.
At the end of the day, the best way to motivate your kids to ski is to make the experience fun, rewarding, and comfortable for them. One of the best ways to do that is to have fun yourself! Celebrate small wins, keep it light-hearted, and always listen to their needs. By doing this, you’ll not only help them develop skiing skills but also create lasting memories that will keep them coming back to the mountain for years to come.
Skiing with kids can be a challenge, but with a little patience, creativity, and encouragement, you’ll be amazed at how motivated they can become—and how much the while family will enjoy it together!