UPDATE! DD7's First Time Skiing?? What to expect??

[Irin997]

Hey guys, help me out (please). My DD7 1/2 and I are going up to the mountains, well, hills of PA this weekend and this is her first time on the slopes. She will be skiing first until a year or a few years down the road when she is ready for snowboarding.

Anyway, what exactly should I expect of my DD7 after one 2-hour lesson? Will she be able to go with us at least on the longer green runs?? Will she whine incessantly?? Will I want to pull my hair out??

TIA!!!

 

[ROIE01581]

If she is an outdoor kid she will love it. My daughter started around that age. I was afarid she would have a hard time getting off the lifts, but she did very good. They took her to the lifts and as part of her lession.

My daughter is an outside person in all kinds of weather. She loves being outside and doing things.

 

[mommasita]

That is a great age!!! Hoping she loves it. Kids catch on MUCH quicker than adults, so chances are great she will get a good lesson in 2 hrs.

Have a great time!!

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that after a two hour lesson, she will be making a very nice "pizza" and "snowplowing short distances. Our DSs started at 4 or 5, some took to it pretty quickly, and then one was a 'pull toy'. He liked hanging onto the end of his dad's pole and being pulled around. She may be able to snowplow down a green hill with her skiis up against your DH's, in a wedge.

 

[Kristineamb]

Bring/rent a helmet!
10 yo DS went skiing for the first time over the Christmas holidays and would go down the hill kamikaze style...wouldn't stop until he hit something and one time it was a sign....luckily he hit it with his thigh and not his head!

 

[Irin997]

She is a very outdoorsy person and loves sports so I'm hoping for the best.

No worries, I did rent a helmet for her!!

 

[Tasmen]

Bring/rent a helmet!
10 yo DS went skiing for the first time over the Christmas holidays and would go down the hill kamikaze style...wouldn't stop until he hit something and one time it was a sign....luckily he hit it with his thigh and not his head!

Most ski resorts (I think) require them for children when they are in lesson groups.

 

[Kristineamb]

Most ski resorts (I think) require them for children when they are in lesson groups.

Not Hidden Valley...no one even mentioned it...and he was in a 90 minute group lesson

 

[Nicolepa]

I don't know if you are asking in general or for that day. Because after a 2 hour lesson she will be tired! My kids have been skiing since they were 3 & 5 (now 6 & 8). We ski every weekend in the winter, they take lessons 2 hrs a week. Last year my older one, was finally able to do her 2 hr lesson and then do another hour, if the snow was good 2 hours. Before that she would be dead in the car before we pulled out of the parking lot. My younger one still cannot go more than 2 - 2.5 hours. (Both of these kids spent 5 hours per day in playing in the snow over Christmas.)

 

[Tasmen]

Not Hidden Valley...no one even mentioned it...and he was in the 90 minute group lesson

Yikes! I snowboard and used to go without a helmet. Now, I can't imagine going without one. Of course, some of that has to do with the music that I pipe in through the ear pad speakers. Just seems insane to go out there on the slopes these days without a helmet.

 

[Green Tea]

Be surprised at how well little kids take to it, and how fearless they are.

 

[pyrxtc]

Depending on her stamina level, she may be ready. My DS's ahve been sking since they were 2 and started attending ski school as soon as they could at age 4. I would drop them off there at 9:30 am and pick them up a little after 3 pm. They would ski for 4 hours of that time and come home still full of energy. Right now they ski with school once a week (DD12 & DS7) and would love to stay longer than they do but the mountain hs no night skiing.

If your DD is one of those people who picks up things easily and is coordinated then she may be ready for longer runs. Not sure how your mountain/hill is set up but it may take more than one lesson before she is ready to get ona lift, unless that is the only way to get up anywhere.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I just took dd (7) for the first time on Sunday. I taught one of my other kids to ski-he was 4, the lessons didn't do much for him-lots of waiting his turn to ski 20 feet. Very little practice turning and stopping. This was all on the beginner hill. Finally, I just took him on the big hill where he was forced to learn to turn and stop. By our second time down, he was doing it.

DD, being a little older, hardly fell, was able to use the rope tow right away without falling. After two hours with me on the bunny hill, i took her up on the big hill, by then she was turning and stopping.

I would get her on the big hill right away, if she is showing signs of stopping and turning. Just remind her to traverse the hill, not go straight down! Play follow the leader and go slowly. By the 2nd time down, she probably be fairly confident.

 

[Jennifer S]

A couple of things. My DS has gone twice this winter and is loving it. We are also from PA so let me say this IT IS GOING TO BE BITTER COLD this weekend - factor that in. We are a family of skiers and my DH won't take DS 8 this weekend because of the weather. Dress really warm - maybe even get a face mask.

Also if you are learning and coming to Pa the BEST place is Bear Creek. Nice size but the beginner hill is perfect for learning. I thinking going to the Poconos for a first timer may be a little overwhelming. Look at the different websites of the resorts and pick one that fits your needs. We actually started at Spring Mountain which is pretty small but perfect for learning.

Def. rent a helmet and have fun.

 

[Irin997]

Thanks for all of the replies!!

Be surprised at how well little kids take to it, and how fearless they are.

This is exactly what I'm hoping for! I figure it's always easier to learn something as a child anyway because of this. Plus they just don't hurt like adults do!

Depending on her stamina level, she may be ready. My DS's ahve been sking since they were 2 and started attending ski school as soon as they could at age 4. I would drop them off there at 9:30 am and pick them up a little after 3 pm. They would ski for 4 hours of that time and come home still full of energy. Right now they ski with school once a week (DD12 & DS7) and would love to stay longer than they do but the mountain hs no night skiing.

If your DD is one of those people who picks up things easily and is coordinated then she may be ready for longer runs. Not sure how your mountain/hill is set up but it may take more than one lesson before she is ready to get ona lift, unless that is the only way to get up anywhere.

She does tend to pick things up easily. I literally took off her training wheels and she was off without falling. Same thing once she got used to riding a bigger bike. Her favorite gymnastics "event" is the beam. I'm hoping all of this works in my favor!

The package we are doing is actually an 8-hour package where there is a 2-hour lesson & rentals and then after the lesson she hangs out with us for the rest of the day. I was really leaning towards towards doing a full day camp that includes two 2-hour lessons but decided to try the other package instead. We'll see how that goes!

I just took dd (7) for the first time on Sunday. I taught one of my other kids to ski-he was 4, the lessons didn't do much for him-lots of waiting his turn to ski 20 feet. Very little practice turning and stopping. This was all on the beginner hill. Finally, I just took him on the big hill where he was forced to learn to turn and stop. By our second time down, he was doing it.

DD, being a little older, hardly fell, was able to use the rope tow right away without falling. After two hours with me on the bunny hill, i took her up on the big hill, by then she was turning and stopping.

I would get her on the big hill right away, if she is showing signs of stopping and turning. Just remind her to traverse the hill, not go straight down! Play follow the leader and go slowly. By the 2nd time down, she probably be fairly confident.

From what the website says, the kids lessons are grouped in groups of anywhere from 3-7 kids, which seems pretty good. Hopefully that won't be too many kids. I'm definitely not afraid to take her on some of the bigger and longer greens.

Do you think it will make a difference that both DBF and I will be snowboarding? Luckily he has skied before and will be able to give her some tips and pointers but I've only ever snowboarded.

A couple of things. My DS has gone twice this winter and is loving it. We are also from PA so let me say this IT IS GOING TO BE BITTER COLD this weekend - factor that in. We are a family of skiers and my DH won't take DS 8 this weekend because of the weather. Dress really warm - maybe even get a face mask.

Also if you are learning and coming to Pa the BEST place is Bear Creek. Nice size but the beginner hill is perfect for learning. I thinking going to the Poconos for a first timer may be a little overwhelming. Look at the different websites of the resorts and pick one that fits your needs. We actually started at Spring Mountain which is pretty small but perfect for learning.

Def. rent a helmet and have fun.

Yes, I am dreading the bitterness that is to come!! We are layering big time. Do you think just a pair of long underwear under her pants plus the super long ski socks are enough for her??

Because we live in MD and this is DD's first time, we are actually just going to Liberty. I'm hoping she loves it so we can go to bigger mountains!! I lived in Colorado for 10 years so my heart is pining for the Rockies but has to settle for PA.

 

[Jennifer S]

We do long underwear, ski socks and snow pants - you'll just have to take breaks a little more often if you're cold. Mentally prepare yourself - PA is nowhere close to the Rockies You should all have a blast - that lesson sounds really good.

Have fun

 

[Irin997]

We do long underwear, ski socks and snow pants - you'll just have to take breaks a little more often if you're cold. Mentally prepare yourself - PA is nowhere close to the Rockies You should all have a blast - that lesson sounds really good.

Have fun

Thanks! Sounds like we have everything we need then!

I'm so excited. It's pathetic. I'm like a little kid. I've even had trouble falling asleep all week cause I'm so excited.

 

[Kae]

Yes, I am dreading the bitterness that is to come!! We are layering big time. Do you think just a pair of long underwear under her pants plus the super long ski socks are enough for her??

Because we live in MD and this is DD's first time, we are actually just going to Liberty. I'm hoping she loves it so we can go to bigger mountains!! I lived in Colorado for 10 years so my heart is pining for the Rockies but has to settle for PA.

I would layer her up more, you can always take some off if needed. Maybe a pair of short golf like socks on over the ski socks. When it is really cold DS wears under Armour cold gear & long johns on the bottom. on the top cold gear, long sleeve t-shirt, & a fleece. Turtle under his helmet-those are the best. Plus he covers his mouth. Also in this cold some of those glove liners are nice.

And just wondering why are you picking skiing over snowboarding her her? Since both you & DH snowboard.

Kae

 

[PatsGirl]

I'll bet she'll do just fine. My kids picked it up within a weekend with a couple of lessons. FWIW, I would never allow my children to ski without a helmet And, according to DS, it is easier to snowboard and then ski, then the other way around He found it difficult to snowboard after years of skiing but finally managed to master it after many tries -- DD still hasn't been able to get it and I think has given up Just a thought. Have fun, stay warm

 

[Irin997]

I would layer her up more, you can always take some off if needed. Maybe a pair of short golf like socks on over the ski socks. When it is really cold DS wears under Armour cold gear & long johns on the bottom. on the top cold gear, long sleeve t-shirt, & a fleece. Turtle under his helmet-those are the best. Plus he covers his mouth. Also in this cold some of those glove liners are nice.

And just wondering why are you picking skiing over snowboarding her her? Since both you & DH snowboard.

Kae

I'll have to see what else I have for her that she could wear underneath.

I decided to go with skiing for her over snowboarding because I think she'll pick up skiing faster than snowboarding and based on other parent's experiences, I've heard she'll be able to do more after the first day of skiing versus snowboarding. Then as she gets better and better, she can try snowboarding.