A great trail, skis, and snow are all you need for a fun outdoor winter experience. Owing to the accessibility of trails and the fun nature of the sport, skiing makes for a great family bonding time.
However, competitive downhill skiing is not the safest way to give your child an adrenaline rush. Cross-country skiing, on the other hand, is a safe way to break your daily monotonous routine and guide your kids in mastering their skiing.
The time off and fun of indulging others in cross-country skiing is enough reason for me to pay someone to do my math. If you are looking to take your kids out for some skiing lessons, we’ll highlight various tips to ensure a positive experience.
Tips for cross country skiing with kids
1. Gear up with proper attire
Cross-country skiing is an aerobic activity that’s bound to break a sweat. When planning a skiing trip, you do not want to come short or overdo your child’s attire. The poor dressing may get your child cold, while donning multiple clothes may deny your toddler flexibility.
When shopping for a kid’s skiing attire, settle for light clothes that allow layering. Ideally, layer up in synthetic or woollen material to avoid drowning your child in sweat. The base layer should be preferably moisture-wicking, and the outer layer waterproof.
Also, pack up extra mittens for occasional replacement if the ones they have on get wet. If your day gets sunnier, be keen to reduce the layering for your child’s comfort.
2. Select a groomed trail
If your kid is yet to master skiing, a deadly cliff is not the best place to start. You should start your kid off with a groomed trail and incur a small entry charge. The kept trail reduces stumbling blocks for your learning child and also ensures their safety.
3. Start small
Like all sports, skiing is perfected through practice, patience, and a willingness to build upon the small amount of skill you’ve mastered. In this spirit, don’t start your child with pro-level moves. This approach would bear equally devastating results as teaching one how to climb trees from the tip of the canopy.
When approaching your child’s training, start with basics such as balancing on skis and getting up from the snow. Also, give positive feedback and gradually build upon the skills they have already mastered.
4. Buy your gear early
Last-minute purchases often risk challenges, including incompatible boot sizes and worse, settling for incompatible bindings for your boots.
Plan in advance on the boots you require and get a compatible binding. Also, settle for waxless (fish scale) skis as they offer a better grip on the snow, managing your child’s learning curve.
5. Select sizable skis
When you are selecting skis for your child, keep the ski length within 10 to 30 cm shorter than their height. Alternatively, consult a kid ski size chart to find the best fit for your toddlers.
Sizable skis are easier to manage, making for an amazing experience for your budding learner.
6. Teach your child how to get up
The first step to learning skiing is to teach your kid how they can get up. This lesson will save your back and reduce the constant cries of being stuck in the snow.
This lesson will allow the children to overcome frustration and can be easily taught in your backyard. You could, however, pack a harness for your trip to make it easier to have a handle on your leaner and offer them support as they get up.
7. Ditch the skiing poles
Although they look fancy, skiing poles may interfere with your child’s learning. Poles introduce the challenge of coordination and may thus hinder the learning of balance. It would therefore do better than harm to ditch the poles for the first couple of lessons until the kids have mastered their balance.
8. Carry ample snacks
Similar to all aerobic activities, skiing can be tedious. If you aren’t well prepared, you may have to call it quits after a few hours or handle lethargic kids that barely try to master the skiing basics. Ideally, carry some snacks to recharge your energy after a duration of exercise.
9. Remember, it’s not a competition
As you start your child up on skiing, do not focus on pace. Instead, allow your kids to set the pace and follow them closely. This will allow you to divulge some tips to help them learn faster and also ensure that you offer support when needed.
Final Take
Skiing is fun. However, a poor approach with your kids may result in a heart-breaking failure and a lifetime hatred of skiing. These tips should come in handy to help your kid master their skiing. We hope you enjoy your skiing experience. Success!
