If your (young) kid skis

[pagas]

She was 3. Getting equipment was a challenge, she was in the smallest skis they had. Sports Authority didn't have her size, we had to rent on the mountain.

For kids skis, if they outgrow and you have rented for the season, they will swap them out. If you are local, ski shops will cut you a good deal. We paid $75 for the season in Aspen.

Bonus pic of her first day skiing because I had to look up how old she was.

[katb]

We don't ski regularly, we have gone away one time each winter the past few winters. My son was 4 the first time he skied. We sent all the kids to ski school one day ($$$$). There were definitely 2 and 3 yr olds (maybe even a bit younger than 2) on the runs and in the bunny slope area.

[CloudBee]

Go for it! I grew up in the snowy north, and 2 is definitely not too young if you can find gear that fits!

[definitelyO]

DS started at 2. we did a season rental from a local place (Colorado ski and golf) - they let you exchange it at any time during the year if they outgrow the boots or skis (no poles at this age)

at 2 we didn't do lessons and more just got him used to the gear and on the bunny slopes. I didn't even wear my skis - just my boots and walked next to him his first season.

at 6 (I think) - he did his first black and now at 9 he can get down anything on any mountain - so I'm all for starting them young!!

[fryjack2]

We are planning on doing ski lessons this winter. The boys will be 3.5.

There wasn't anywhere that had lessons earlier than 3 or with equipment for my little guys who were still in 12-18 month clothing last winter.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

My kids started at 2. That first season is always a challenge and plan to make your days very short with them. Sports Authority rents skis/boots for the season for a reasonable rate. And the equipment is pretty nice. You might want to look into the backpacks the kids can wear with leashes attached. I always worried that my kids might get away from me. Plus the backpack has a handle to kind of let you pick the kid up a little easier.

Two is a fine age to start, but don't expect too much.

ETA: This is the backpack we used. www.rei.com/product/861031/lucky-bums-fallline-ski-trainer-boys?cm_mmc=cse_PLA-_-pla-_-8610310001&mr:trackingCode=027B1019-542C-E311-A755-BC305BF82162&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=89274133960&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=70919481880&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA

[runforrest]

We started ours at almost 4 - their birthday was in March and we went at Christmas. Breckenridge had a great ski school program for kids that little that was a whole day but only involved short sessions of outside skiing. They spent a lot of time inside learning how to walk in the boots, step into the skis, and stand/walk in the skis. By the end of our trip they could go down the ski school hill, but stopping and turning weren't really happening.

We put them in the school again this past winter, when they were almost five, and the difference was huge. They were on the chair lift by the morning of the second day and can turn and "pizza" stop.

I would not take them out by myself at that age, but if you find a program that is a daycare/school at a resort, that might work. I say that because I personally was not well equipped to be out there with them and teach them the appropriate things bc I learned at 4 and remember nothing.

[pinkpinot]

We started last year, he wasn't 2 yet!

[qcinoct]

DS1 started weekly lessons when he was 3 (he was turning 4 that March). That's actually the youngest the ski hill near us will do lessons. This winter will be his 3rd year of lessons. He's getting quite good and can do most blue runs.

DS2 skied a couple of times last year with us (at a bigger resort that did lessons starting at 2 years). He'll get into weekly lessons this winter. He turns 4 in January. 

[qcinoct]

and, because I cannot resist the cuteness of little ones on skis...

Attachments:

[InBetweenDays]

DD started at 3.5 DS started a few months before turning 3. Most of the first year was spent with one of us in snow boots helping them down the bunny hill. After that we progressed to using the harness so we could help them turn/stop.

I'd consider buying skis. I guess it depends on the market in your area, but around here used kids ski gear sells extremely quickly on craigslist or ebay (or local listservs). And kids can stay in their skis for several years. So if you buy him something used this year and he wears it for two years you'll be WELL ahead of the game (considering you'd probably spend $200-$300 renting for two years). Then you could just rent boots for the season since he'll outgrow those more quickly. Our boot season rentals are like $30.

DD used the same skis for ages 3-6, then they were passed on to DS for another 2 years and I think we spent maybe $100 on the skis/bindings. So 5 years for $100. We got her new skis and bindings at 7, and on sale they were $150 for the set. They lasted her another 2 years and this year will be used by DS. So probably another 4+ years for $150. Just may be worth looking into.

[isabel]

We intend to start DS at 2.5. That's how old he'll be when ski season rolls around that year. DH started at 4, but he lived in Indiana and they flew to Colorado a couple times a year. We're local, so it should be easier to get him up to the mountain consistently for lessons.

[qcinoct]

as for equipment, we rented for DS1's first winter and bought used the next year (and he should get 2 years out of them). We'll rent this winter for DS2 and then he'll get DS1's hand-me-downs.

[atlas]

I think the first time I skied I was probably 2 or 3. I didn't start skiing every weekend until I was 4 and a half.

I believe my parents rented when I was super young.

I had hand me downs after that. Either from my sister or from the large ski swap our city has. If you live in a ski town I'm sure they have a ski swap around this time. FB buy-sell-trade sites might be helpful too. If you have a ski racing group, they might do their own swaps too.

ETA: I also taught ski lessons as an adult. I taught the 4 and 5 year olds. I think 4 was as young as we went. Maybe older 3. We had 10 week programs that were amazing! I had kids who would start out never had been on skis before and got them going down the summit chair (there's an intermediate run coming down Summit at our mountain) by the end of the 10 weeks. Gives a nice break to the parents too.

[Deleted]

We're planning on putting DD on skis for the first time this winter. She'll be 3. I don't think we're going to start lessons though until next year.

[franklin]

frank went for the first time last year, so 3.5? he had a blast and was actually really good, he was able to go down the bunny hill himself by the end of his first day. we don't go skiing a ton, so we just rent stuff for him and it let us try different sizes on the hill to figure out which one worked best for him.