At a glance
Good to now
After the children's ski course is before the next ski adventure - in our packing list for your ski vacation, we reveal what you absolutely need to pack in your suitcase.
Pizza, fries, munchkins
OK, raise your hand if you know what we’re talking about: Teaching a new sport to your child takes a whole lot of patience. On both sides. After one or two pitiful attempts at playing ski instructor, I quickly decided to turn to a ski school and place my son in the hands of a professional. The result: Since last winter, my four-year-old has become an avid skier, mom has been spared a lot of wear and tear on her nerves, dad is really proud and, together, we can frequently be seen “tearing up” Austria’s ski slopes.
Are you also a big ski fan who can barely wait to pass on your love for the “white stuff” to your child? For your attempt to be crowned with success, there are a few things to watch out for. Someone who definitely knows what she is talking about is Mitch Schweighofer from the Adventure Rauris ski school. This state-certified ski instructor gives me valuable pointers about what to look out for when it comes to ski courses for kids.
When is my child ready for a ski course?
“Experience has shown that participation in a children’s ski course turns out very well for kids who are four or five years of age”, Mitch Schweighofer explains to me. She is a board officer for Ski School Adventure in Rauris and a state-certified instructor in alpine skiing. In all weather and at every time of year, you will encounter Mitch out and about in the Alps. An intrepid “mountain goat” if ever there was one. With up to 35 ski instructors on staff, the school does everything it can to spark the youngsters’ enthusiasm for the mountains.
“It helps if the kids have previously had some experience in a kindergarten or preschool, making it a lot easier for them to spend time away from their parents.”
On that same topic: Saying goodbye to mom and dad should be kept as brief as possible (kindergarten parents know what I am talking about). On the flipside, the youngsters really love it when their parents stop by 15 minutes or so before the end of the course. In that way, they can show off all the progress they have made. And for our up-and-coming World Cup stars: Private lessons can even be booked for small children. Parents have the best instincts about how ambitious and ready their child is for that kind of instruction.
What are the beginners' courses like?
"Pizza" and "fries" are terms that are used in children's ski courses to teach young skiers basic movements and techniques. Ski instructors use the memorable and playful commands "pizza" and "fries" to make it easier for children to visualize and implement the movements.
- Pizza: Describes the V-position of the skis, with the tips of the skis pointing together and the ends of the skis pointing apart. This position is used to control or slow down the speed.
- Pommes: Stands for the parallel ski position, in which the skis run straight next to each other. This position is suitable for initial gliding skiing on straight or flat sections.
How can you imagine a beginners' ski course?
"The groups consist of a maximum of 8 to 10 children. We start with group games so that we get to know each other and build up trust. Then we get used to the "heavy" ski boots with the help of easy exercises and practise strapping on the skis. That requires a lot of balance!" Mitch is convinced that basically every child, whether super sporty or leisurely, can learn to ski. However, the focus must always be on enjoying the snow.
After the first gliding on the flat, the little ones learn to slide down the gently sloping slope. And from there, it's not far to the first plow turns! How long does a day's skiing take for the little ones? "The courses last 4 hours a day. So from 10 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 3 pm. Lunchtime supervision can also be booked. Then the children go out to eat with the ski instructor, in our case during a beginners' course for example in the Albert restaurant in Carpe Solem Rauris."
Pizza & Fries in Kinderland: ski schools with practice areas
Ideally, the ski school you book will have a practice area just for kids. The “Kinder Land” at Adventure Rauris ski school lies right next to Carpe Solem Rauris, by the valley lift station of the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen. To help them get to the top of the slope, there is a magic carpet as well as a bunny lift. All kinds of features, including slalom poles, fun figures, flags and mats, all help them learn and are actively incorporated into instruction. “Depending on the snow conditions, we build gentle moguls and even small jumps in order to work on their sense of balance – and improve their confidence.”
Mitch doesn’t set much store by some of the older-fashioned teaching aids like training harnesses: “Then the kids become far too reliant on them, and they even develop a completely false posture. Also, they don’t learn to correct evaluate dangers or their own speed.” The only really worthwhile preparation for a ski course is to spend time with the kids playing out in the snow. Be that a snowball fight, a sledding expedition or even just building a snowman.
Private lessons versus group ski courses: pros and cons
Fun, team spirit, group dynamics and new friendships speak in favor of group courses. However, the ski instructor focuses on the "weakest link" in the group, so the switch to more challenging terrain can sometimes be delayed a little. "Individual private lessons guarantee faster success," says Mitch. "From experience, by the third day of the group ski course, all participants should be able to plow and brake safely," reports the Rauris regional ski instructor. The course continues with turns and on around the fifth day with the switch to the publicly accessible slopes.
But what should you do if your child simply does't feel like skiing? Then the ski course can possibly be rebooked for private lessons, in flexible ski schools such as the Adventure Rauris ski school, credit notes can even be issued. Find out about these options before you start your ski course! Just in case...
What equipment is essential for children when skiing?
The fun in the snow lasts longer if the toes and little fingers are nice and warm and the equipment fits perfectly. Children grow quickly (oh yes!), so it makes perfect sense to hire the complete equipment (on site). Some ski schools, such as the Adventure Rauris ski school, offer packages including course and equipment, which is easy on the wallet.
- A warm ski suitGloves
- Helmet, hat, tube scarf, warm socks
- Ski goggles and sunglasses are also part of the basic equipment, which can often be purchased on site.
- Don't forget the sun cream or cold cream for your little ones!
ALPS RESORTS: Apartments and Chalets in Family Ski Areas
Skiing vacations with the whole family also mean a lot of luggage. That's why people often opt for a spacious vacation apartment or chalet instead of a (cramped) hotel room.
Many of the ALPS RESORTS are located in popular family ski resorts in Austria, such as
- the exclusive apartments in Carpe Solem Rauris at the valley station of the Rauriser Hochalmbahnen, the Adventure ski school is located directly in the resort
- the cozy vacation homes at Alpendorf Dachstein West near Fuxi's Kinderland at the Donnerkogelbahn in the Dachstein-West region
- the holiday apartments and holiday homes on the Kreischberg with its wide and beginner-friendly slopes
- Chalets and apartments on the Turracher Höhe with private wellness area, butler program and Nocky Flitzer
- The modern holiday apartments in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, an excellent family ski region in Tyrol.
For detailed information - from ski passes and mountain huts to ski bus timetables and ski school contact details - our reception team will be happy to help. A well-prepared ski vacation with the family is a lot of fun. And fun is clearly the most important thing when learning to ski. Then you'll get the hang of plow turns too!
Read more about family vacations....
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Verena Junger
Content Manager at ALPS RESORTS
Millennial with a passion for solitary mountains and compelling stories, always on the lookout for exciting destinations and experiences.
Would you like to learn more about ALPS RESORTS? Feel free to use our contact form or submit a non-binding inquiry.