F EATURE |
SEVEN TIPS
On their blog, the West’s share snippets of their daily lives and various
adventures. They believe that every season has its own beauty and
opportunity for adventure, which bring joy to everyone in the family.
But… this “joy” is the result of hands-on experience in making it work for
everyone! The age range of their kids varies quite significantly, as does
their physical ability. They see this as a fact, not an obstacle, and they
know that skiing with kids requires planning. Here are the West’s 7 best
tips on how to make skiing with kids a success.
01
BE REALISTIC
IN YOUR
EXPECTATIONS
Don’t expect to be able to do too
many activities during the day.
Skiing with children is very
different than skiing BC (Before
child). You need to change your
idea of what a successful holiday
looks like. The reward is different
but much bigger!
02
LOCATION
Location is everything! Living in Switzerland allows us to
have both one-day and multiple-day trips, but no matter how
long you stay, you need a “base” close to the slopes. If it’s a one-day
trip, pick an area where they have a good indoor space (restaurants
etc.) and use that as your base. If you have embarked on a multiple-
day trip, it’s worth it to pay a bit extra to stay close to the lift. A car/bus
drive between your accommodation and the snow several times per
day does not do anyone any good. Trust us, we have been there!
03
TRAVELING WITH A SMALL CHILD…
(BUY/RENT A SLED)
If you, like us, are bringing a young child, getting everything
from the car to the base area can be a pain if you don’t have a sled
and some bungee cords. Simply pile all the gear into the sled, strap it
down and tow it behind you. This also allows you to carry one of the
kids, preventing them from getting tired before they even get on their
skis or snowboard. Besides, the sled can provide a fun break for all
ages. To accommodate your little ones, you need to be as prepared
as the most experienced Sherpa in Nepal: this means you should
have plenty of snacks, water, sunscreen and extra layers with you
just in case. Consider it a bonus workout!
05
DRESS THEM
APPROPRIATELY
Although it might be
cold outside, overdressing your
kids can ruin your day just as
quickly as under-dressing them.
Invest in functional outdoor
clothes that are waterproof,
breathable and visible. Also, if
you are hauling your kid up the
hill all day, you will probably want
to dress on the lighter side so you
don’t get overheated. Have your
kids wear helmets and goggles!!!
It’s always a good idea to start
positive habits on the first day.
Helmets and goggles help keep
them dry as well as protected!
06
MENTALLY
PREPARE
Get ready to be patient
and flexible. We know this seems
like a no-brainer, but it’s worth
repeating: be patient and flexible.
04
FOCUS ON
THE FUN, NOT
TECHNIQUE
If your kids are not having fun
right away, it may be a struggle
to get them back up to the hill to
learn about technique, so when
you notice that they start to lose
interest, forget about the skis for
a minute and make time for play.
Snowball fights, snow angels,
and building snowmen are all
free, fun and easy things to do.
The key is to take a lot of breaks!
07
ORGANIZATION IS KEY
Pack everything the night before - snacks in
pockets, bags and allow far more time than
you think you’ll need to get towed up the mountain.
M AGAZINE 2017 | 35