1- Make the gear a toy
The best way to avoid a meltdown on the hill about uncomfortable ski boots or the awkwardness of shuffling in skis, is to introduce the gear early and indoors. Show the child the skis and boots. Let them wear the boots around the house and get used to walking in them. Have them click into the skis, feel the weight when they try to lift their feet, and discover what it’s like to lean on the edges. Keep the gear around their play area. Eventually they’ll probably ask to wear them as they’ll seem like a new toy. This makes the real thing all the more exciting!
2- Sled Taxi
Got a long walk to the lift or base area? Between backpacks, lunch bag, skis and multiple toddlers who walk at a snail’s pace or stop in their tracks and demand to be carried: simplify the journey by loading up a sled. Get an industrial one, typically geared toward ice fishing or hunting. They’re durable, huge and slide pretty easily, even on ice/gravel mix. This will also free up one hand so you can finish your morning coffee while hauling all your kids and gear.
3- Strap kids skis to parent skis
A simple yet effective way to free up a hand when skis are on the shoulder. Strap the toddler skis to your skis with a ski strap. Voile ski straps have a million uses but this one is my new favorite. Get the 25″ for this task.
4- Big backpack for everyone’s gear
Nothing will slow you down more than keeping track of and carrying multiple bags. Your gear, the kids gear, the diaper bag, the lunch box. Get a big ol’ ski backpack that will consolidate all this into one pack. We’ve been using the Dakine Boot Locker DLX 70L. One each for myself and my wife and we can fit everything we need for two adults and two toddlers (including the ski boots) all on our back with two free hands. It also makes the packing process easier knowing you can throw the bag down and load up one container with everything you and the little ones will need for a big day on the hill.
5- Go early / Leave early
Prime parking, short lines, better snow, open slopes. The list of great reasons to start your ski day early is long and convincing. Being fully prepared the night before is the only way to make this possible. Can’t be packing ski bags and making lunch the morning-of, and expect to have a smooth exit out the door. Besides, you have toddlers, you weren’t going out at night anyway… ha! You’ll crush a full day’s worth of skiing before noon. Have lunch and hop back in the car for your little ones to have a hard nap on the way home.
6- Prime Parking
The reward for following tip #5. If you’re lucky enough, at your local hill you can park right at the bottom of the bunny slope/beginner area. Gear up at the car and walk right onto the lift or magic carpet. Avoiding the lodge saves a massive amount of time and effort.
7- Ski > Snack > Ski > Snack > Ski > Snack
Toddlers lose their steam quickly. Keep up their energy levels and spirit by taking a lot of breaks to snack-up and hydrate. Nothing will cause an on-hill meltdown quicker than a hangry kiddo.
8- Potty in the car
Yup, potty in the car. If you followed tip #5 & #6, the car is the closest and quickest respite. Also avoid lengthy pit stops and gross public restrooms on the ride to and from the mountain. Simply pull over and let the kiddo do their business in the toddler potty in the trunk.
9- Backpack carrier
Got a younger sibling who’s not ready to ski yet? Instead of making an adult stay in the lodge with them, dress them warmly and put them in a chest or backpack allowing you to hike around the beginner area with them. Every mountain will have different rules about this so check with your local ski patrol. As our 2.5 year old learned to ski on the magic carpet we had our 1 year old in a backpack keeping her in on the action.
10- Know when to fold em
Some days it’s just not in the cards. The kids are overtired, you forgot to pack the boots, it’s too cold, the lift lines are a mile long… Skiing in general is a lot of work. Add in toddlers and it can feel as daunting as an expedition to Everest. But in the end, it should be fun and everyone should be smiling, laughing and learning to love skiing. There’s no shame in packing it in if the day is headed in the wrong direction and giving it another try next time.
Bonus Hack- Go Pro
You’ll have the unending urge to document all the trials, tribulations and victories of a toddler learning to ski. Free up your hands by sticking a Go Pro to your helmet. Free hands are a must while teaching and it’s simply safer to be at-the-ready at all times. Sure, you’ll look like a total Jerry with a Go Pro on your head on the bunny slope… but when you’re at home re-watching the great videos, who really cares?
