|
|
  
|
Tuesday September 25th, 2001 Whether your child is entering grade school or leaving the terrible twos, it's never too late or too early to get your kids on skis. Skiing - cross country or downhill has long been regarded as a fun family sport, even though the cost of a family ski vacation seems to grow tenfold every season. Families can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while getting necessary exercise, and skiing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ability levels. As a parent, it is important to determine your childs specific needs and be sure both of you are equipped to handle the learning process. Mountain loving parents will have the urge to strap plastic skis to their tykes the day they learn to walk. But the reality of getting your child properly equipped for the slopes under 3 years old is a harsh one. Most often, alpine boots and bindings do not come in sizes small enough for them. Additionally, resort ski schools generally place the minimum age between 3 and 5. As a toddler, your child may be content to tromp around the backyard on short plastic skis, because they know they can go inside at anytime. At the mountain, you may find your child won't know to tell you when they're too cold or have to go to the bathroom. And you have to face the fact that skiing with your children will usually mean a shorter ski day than normal for you. Those are the cons. But even with the difficulty of finding proper kids equipment and accessories, the family experience is well worth it. Lauren and Paul Sveen founded Kid-e-Sport.com when they had trouble finding the basics they needed for their young children. Kid-e-Sport now exists to provide parents with an information resource and equipment store for youth sports. "The greater goal is making sports good for kids," says Lauren Sveen, "and parents need to be more active and knowledgable." Researching techniques to improve your child's skiing abilities will make the learning process go faster and ultimately mean better family outings. Finding boots and clothing that fit snugly, but not tight, will make your child more comfortable and therefore happier. It's advisable to rent equipment by the day or lease for the season, because your child will outgrow new gear by next season. Buying larger equipment to "grow into" is never a good idea because it can lead to injuries and create a miserable child. Although the quality of the boots really matter when it comes to warmth and may be worth the investment, says Sveen. But she advises, only buy equipment for your oldest child, then wait for the younger ones to grow into them, and you'll see it pay off in 2-3 seasons.
|
         |
|
