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As a mom of five and a professional ski instructor, I’m no stranger to the chaos and joy that comes with taking multiple kids skiing. It’s my favorite thing to do in the winter and our kids love it so much, but balancing different ages and skill levels while keeping everyone safe and happy is no small task—especially when I’m doing it solo (which I often am with my husband’s work schedule).
With a 10 year age gap between our oldest and youngest kids, I’ve learned a lot about juggling kids on the ski hill. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to help make skiing with multiple kids as smooth as possible. Whether you’re skiing with just two kids or managing a larger group like mine, here are my tried-and-true tips for keeping everyone on track, having fun, and staying safe on the slopes.
1. Always Have a Designated Meet-Up Area
When skiing with several kids, things don’t always go according to plan. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to have a designated meet-up area. Whether it’s at the bottom of a certain lift, near a specific lodge, or by a recognizable signpost, having a go-to spot makes it easy to regroup if someone gets separated from the group.
In our family, we’ve had our fair share of split-ups, where one child zooms ahead while another needs help putting a ski back on. Having a designated meeting spot has saved us more than once. It’s especially helpful if the resort is crowded or the terrain is spread out.
Tip: Make sure everyone knows exactly where the meet-up point is before starting the day. I usually ask my kids to point out the spot so I know they’ve got it locked in their memory. For little kids, I put a paper in their pocket with the meet up spot and my phone number in case they somehow get separated and need to ask another adult for help.
2. Implement the Buddy System
One of the most effective ways to manage a group of kids on the slopes is by using the buddy system. Pairing kids up ensures that no one skis alone, and it gives them the responsibility to look out for each other.
In our family, we often ski together as a group, but with five kids, it’s not always possible to keep track of everyone. That’s why the buddy system is key. I pair my older kids with the younger ones or with someone of a similar skill level. Not only does this keep them safe, but it also helps build camaraderie between siblings.
Whenever possible, we try to stay together as a group, but the buddy system ensures that if someone gets separated or takes a side trail, they’re not alone.
Example: On a recent ski day, my teen son was paired with his younger brother. He crashed and needed help getting his ski back on, and because his brother was with him, he was able to help him out before I even realized they had stopped. It’s moments like these that reinforce how important the buddy system can be.
3. Teach Kids to Wait for Each Other
A non-negotiable rule in our family is that we stop and wait for each other at every trail junction. This rule has saved us from many potential problems, and it’s one I strongly recommend for any family skiing with multiple kids.
When skiing with kids of different speeds and abilities, it’s important to give everyone the freedom to ski at their own pace. Some kids will want to bomb down the hill while others take their time. By regrouping at trail junctions, everyone can ski at their own speed, but you’re never too far apart to check in on each other.
Stopping at junctions also allows me to do a quick headcount and make sure no one’s missing. It’s all too easy for a child to take a wrong turn or fall in the trees, so regrouping regularly helps prevent any big mishaps.
4. Divide and Conquer
As much as I love the idea of all of us skiing together as one big group, that’s not always realistic. One of the best strategies we’ve adopted is the divide and conquer approach.
We split the kids based on their skill levels or interests. Some of my kids love skiing fast groomers, while others would be thrilled to spend the whole day in the terrain park. Sometimes my husband and I each take a group, or, if I’m skiing solo, I’ll enlist help from older siblings or friends to split the group.
On a recent trip, my two older kids wanted to explore some more challenging moguls, while the younger ones preferred to stay on the groomers. My husband took the older kids up to the steeper runs while I stayed with the younger two to help them practice. It worked perfectly because everyone got to ski what they enjoyed most without feeling rushed or frustrated.
5. Enlist Help (Especially with Little Kids)
Skiing with toddlers or preschoolers is its own challenge, and if you have more than one kid, you’re going to need backup. Teaching one kid to ski while also trying to manage another is tough, especially when you’re dealing with little ones who need a lot of attention.
When I’m skiing with my youngest, I make sure to have someone else to help with the older kids. If my husband isn’t skiing with us, I’ll often bring along friends or other family members. Trying to teach a toddler while keeping an eye on an independent skier is nearly impossible—at least until they can both stop and turn reliably on their own.
If you’re skiing solo with young kids, plan to spend some time in the lodge while they take breaks. Having an extra set of hands to watch your little one during these times is invaluable.
6. Bring Along Friends
Skiing is always more fun with friends! Whenever possible, I invite other families or friends to join us on the slopes. Having other kids around makes the experience more exciting, and it also gives my kids something extra fun to look forward to in their ski days.
When my kids are skiing with friends, they’re more motivated and excited to tackle new terrain or push themselves. On one trip, I brought along a friend’s family, and it was amazing to see how much more fun the kids had skiing together. They were eager to show off their skills and challenge each other, which took some of the pressure off me to entertain everyone.
7. Set Expectations and Family Ski Rules
Before we hit the slopes at the beginning of each season, we always have a family meeting to go over our expectations and ski rules for the ski hill. This is especially important when you have multiple kids, as everyone needs to be on the same page about safety and behavior. Then for the first few ski days of the year, we will talk about it our rules on the drive up to the mountain.
Our family rules include waiting at junctions, using the buddy system, and always stopping at a designated spot if someone gets separated. We also talk about skiing at a pace that’s comfortable for them—there’s no pressure to ski fast or keep up with others. Mostly, we’re focused on raising responsible skiers, so regular reminders are important.
This conversation is key to ensuring that the day goes smoothly and that everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong.
Also Read: Safety on the Ski Hill and Our Family Ski Rules
8. Have A Way To Communicate
I always recommend having a way to communicate with your kids for times that you’re separated or if you need to sit a run out with a different child. If there’s any chance that your kids will be skiing without you (even just for a run or two), you need a way to communicate with each other. Phones are a great option for older kids, but for younger kids, we clip one of our favorite ski walkie talkies into their jacket.
Skiing with multiple kids can be a juggling act, but with the tips I’ve shared, it’s completely doable for almost any parent!
