Want to be that perfect skiing
family? Dad leads, kids follow, Mom is the caboose, and everyone
is smiling and turning in happy harmony. Wake up and read these
tips. The perfect mountain ski trip doesn’t magically happen.
#1
Don’t skimp on ski equipment. Get your kids outfitted properly
-whether you drop $1,000 at the ski shop for spanking new stuff,
rent at the resort, or buy used, you choose. I think
checking out the used gear at ski shops is the way to go as your kids grow. You get
professional fitting, tuning and binding adjustment – without
paying full boat on brand new boards and boots. Next season,
when your kids have blasted through two sizes, you go back for
the same fair deal.
Photo at Sunday River Resort
|
#2
Get your kids pumped for their snow day with ski brochures, videos, magazines or the
Sarah Burke and Jonny Moseley huck dolls for sale at ski shops
(heck, get one for your husband too).
Photo by Greg Burke
|
#3
Ski areas don’t broadcast this – but an eye to the forecast is
key. Sunny and 20ºF is far more fun than 8ºF with howling wind! If it
means skipping school for that perfect day – convince yourself
that it's “educational.” Take lots of hot cocoa breaks – its part
of the special treat formula with kids.
Photo by Greg Burke, View of Mount Washington from
Jordan Bowl |
#4
If you have a timid skier, take a note from “the happiest place
on Earth”…Disney knows and a few New England resorts do too -
that a cast of furry mascots will win over a scaredy-cat kid 9
times out of 10. Children love to ski with Amos the Moose and
Blueberry Bear at Sugarloaf, and families drive in droves to
Smugglers’ Notch to see and ski with Mogul Mouse.
Photo by Greg Burke, Sugarloaf's Blueberry Bear
|
#5
A few fun-loving resorts have
teamed with Nickelodeon so your kids can ski with Dora the
Explorer and ride with SpongeBob Squarepants during themed weeks at Sunday
River, Sugarloaf, Killington, Mount Snow and Attitash.
Photo by Ian Burke, Nickelodeon's SpongeBob at Sunday River |
#6
When you are just starting your kids on snow, leave the teaching
to the pros. There is a reason resorts charge the big bucks for
ski school – it’s worth it! Something miraculous happens when
kids are surrounded by other small fries, and a cool instructor
– they learn. And they don’t whine when mom and dad aren’t
around. Parents, pony up for ski camp, then go make tracks for
yourself. Plan to take a run with your camper in the afternoon –
they can show you all the cool stuff they learned at "school"!
Photo by Greg Burke
|
#7
Be sure to capture the magical moment on the mountain in photos,
when pizza pies turn into French fries (ski code for snowplow to
parallel turn). Kids are so cute all bundled in ski clothes, all
smiles from their big accomplishment!
Photo by Greg Burke
|
#8
Once you have t'weens or teens, you may need to head for areas
with serious parks and pipes. Every ski area on the planet worth
hitting has a Terrain Park. Have your hormonal halfpipers surf
online to find where the best jibs are – because every teen parent
knows that an active, occupied teen is a good scene.
Photo by Greg Burke, Sunday River
|
#9
Don’t forget about après ski. Bretton Woods, Smugglers’ Notch and Ascutney host “happy hour” for the kids featuring supervised fun
and games. Parents can actually enjoy a well-deserved adult
beverage or two in the lounge (no crayons or sippy cups in sight)!
Photo
by Greg Burke |
#10
For family happy hour, dip into the best outdoor heated pools in
the biz. The Grand Summit hotels at the base of Killington, Mount
Snow, Attitash, and Sunday River all feature these slopeside
soaks. Kids are like ducks to water and this muscle-soothing
activity is a winner for mom & dad too since there are oversized
outdoors hot tubs too. All with a victorious view of the trails
you tackled that day.
Photo by Greg Burke, Sunday River Grand Summit Pool |
|
For more tips on family skiing, go to
www.familyskitrips.com
See you on the slopes!
By Heather Burke, Photos by Greg Burke
 |
