NO KIDDING! MY LITTLE NEPHEW, 7, IS AN EXPERT
WITH Easter just a few weeks away, I’m thinking of the many Irish children who’ll have the privilege of learning to ski with their families.
I fell in love with skiing in my mid-20s and know that the earlier you start, the better.
In Bad Gastein last week my seven-year-old nephew proved me right. This New Murphy On the Slopes had a big smile on his face as he clicked into his skis, perfected the ‘pizza’ (snowplough move) and learned how to remove snow and ice from skis after a day on the mountain.
At that age, children show no fear thanks to their lower centre of gravity and also soak up every morsel of information.
I picked up a few tips as young Murphy’s week went on!
Firstly, at what age should your child learn? Most resorts take kids from four or five (some start younger) but it really depends on each child. My nephew didn’t want to go into class at four.
When booking ski lessons – if possible, drop into the ski school at the start of your holiday to chat about your child’s lessons.
And ask these questions; will the instructor speak good English? (most do). Will other children in the class be a similar age and English-speaking? What size will the class be? Six or seven is a good number.
Will the instructor inject lots of fun into learning? If your child likes the instructor it’s a bonus.
Do you want your little one to have all day or half-day lessons? In France and Italy, lessons are usually half day, in Austria they’re longer. My nephew’s classes ran from 10-12am and 1-3pm with an hour for lunch in between and play sessions included.
Should your child have private or group lessons? Private instruction is great but skiing is a social sport and having friends in ski school is motivating.
Will there be activities other than skiing? Some ski schools will also introduce your kids to snow-shoeing as part of lessons.
Finally, what’s the beginner area like and will your child progress to gentle green slopes?
In Bad Gastein, the nursery slope is small compared to the beginner area at nearby Angertal/Bad Hof Gastein. But we felt a few days perfecting basic techniques on a gentle slope gave young Murphy a solid start.
ONLY when the instructor was sure everyone in the class could turn did she take them on a blue/green run. And what should you expect d on that first day? I saw lots of tears and children not wanting to be parted from parents but once they settled in, I saw very happy children and very happy parents. And before long the kids were taking part in race day (yes, even five-year-olds get to race).
Finally, if you do take the family skiing this Easter, check that your insurance covers winter sports? If you have an annual policy, it’s easy to forget to buy a winter sports add-on. Travelling with your EHIC card will cover you for medical emergencies but you may need travel insurance for other issues that (hopefully won’t) arise. ÷Topflight has a week in Arinsal, Andorra, from March 25, from €1926 h/b in 4*r Hotel St Gothard, two adults/two kids under-12 in a family room. (topflight.ie)
Crystal Ski has a week in La Plagne, two adults two children, s/c in 3* apartments from €2299. (crystalski.ie) and a week in the 4* Neuhaus hotel in Mayrhofen (two adults, two children half board) from €4099.