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“If they can walk they can ski!” is an often-quoted phrase that, while encouraging for parents eager to see their children take up the sport, doesn’t fully acknowledge the complexity of the question: what age can kids ski?
The truth is that every child is different. One child might be making their first short slides at 18 months, while another might still find it scary at 3 years old - the age most ski schools in the Alps will start taking kids for group lessons.
You can judge for yourself your own child’s readiness. Trying to push them into it too soon may end up turning a potential passion into a source of anxiety.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to know when your child is ready, what to expect at each age, and how to make their first ski trip a success.
Is my child ready to ski?
Even though your child can start ski school at 3 (and private lessons even earlier), it may be better to wait until they are a year or two older. The average four or five year old is that little bit more coordinated and capable of following instructions, which will make them much more receptive to picking up the basics of skiing.
A typical ski school course involves six 2 to 2.5 hour lessons, which can be physically and mentally challenging for a toddler.
That said, you are the best judge of when your child should start skiing. Use this checklist to determine whether they’re ready or not:
- Are they physically capable of skiing? Being able to take a few unsteady steps does not mean they’re ready for the slopes. Your child should be able to confidently walk, run and stand on one leg.
- Can they follow instructions? They should be capable of listening to and following instructions for a prolonged period of time.
- Are they happy around other children? Social skills are also important when learning to ski as they will most likely be in group lessons.
- Do they actually want to ski? In your eagerness for them to follow in your ski tracks, don’t forget to ask them if they want to learn to ski. Pushing them into something they're not interested in is sure to make them resent it.
You can also have a fun ski holiday with an infant. Many resorts have quality childcare providers that will take kids for the day from 3 months, meaning both parents can spend the day skiing in the knowledge that their baby is in safe hands.
What happens in ski school?
Group ski lessons for kids are designed to be fun, encouraging, and age-appropriate.
For the youngest skiers, lessons are short and will take place at ski kindergarten or on dedicated nursery slopes. Your child will probably find themselves skiing through archways and around obstacles to practice snowplough turns. Lessons may be followed by afternoon activities such as tobogganing or arts and crafts. Many ski schools have mascots (instructors in fun animal costumes) who help to make the lessons more engaging. At the end of the week, your child may receive a certificate or medals in recognition of their efforts.
Older children (5 and up) may venture out onto the main slopes of the resort. Group sizes are typically larger and based around ability rather than age. That means a 5-year-old may be in lessons with other kids up to the age of around 12. 
Learning to ski by age group
Here’s what learning to ski looks like broken down by age group:
| Age | Lesson format | Durations | What will they learn? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 | Playing in the snow | Half-full day | Very young children can get acquainted with snow in kids clubs or nursery. Days may be divided up between indoor and outdoor activities |
| 2-3 | Private lessons or small groups of up to 4 kids | Half-full day | Simple sliding exercises to familiarise kids with wearing skis and being on the slopes. Can be followed by afternoon activities like arts and crafts or tobogganing |
| 3-5 | Group or private lessons | Half-full day | The basics of skiing on a gentle slope in an enclosed area. Games, obstacles, and mascots make learning fun. Typically up to 8 kids per group |
| 5-12 | Group or private lessons | Half-full day | Kids aged 5 and up will be in slightly larger groups with other children of similar ability. Lessons may take place on the resort’s main slopes with a qualified instructor. They’ll gain confidence and learn about safety on the mountains |
| 13+ | Group or private lessons | Half-full day | Teenagers can take part in group lessons with others of the same ability, from beginner to advanced. There will typically be one instructor for every 10 students |
What happens in private lessons?
Learning in big groups is fun and a great way to make new friends. But private lessons are also a good option, especially if you think your child would benefit from a more personalised approach.
Private lessons for children typically accommodate a maximum of four kids of the same ability. This makes it easy for the instructor to tailor tuition and pace to the skill level of the group, and to give more specific feedback to each individual. If everyone’s a complete beginner, this can lead to faster progress and means your child won’t end up in a group where they feel left behind.
Private lessons can also be a good idea if you’re on a holiday with other families. Your kids might feel less anxious about learning to ski if they're in a lesson with their siblings, cousins or friends. However, avoid putting them together just because they know each other. If their skill levels vary, it will be hard for the instructor to provide inclusive tuition.
Should my child learn to ski or snowboard?
It’s generally recommended that kids learn to ski first. Skiing mimics our natural stance and direction of travel. It also provides a bit more freedom of movement for your feet, which makes it easier to balance - great on very gentle learner slopes, where they’ll be able to shuffle their feet around to get moving. In contrast, balancing on a snowboard and getting around is tricky when you’re not in motion.
If you have a child that really wants to try snowboarding, there’s no harm in learning to board first. However, it’s best to stick with either skiing or snowboarding until they’ve mastered the basics, as they’re quite asymmetrical as sports.
Read more: Skiing vs snowboarding.
Top tips for parents with children learning to ski
Follow these top tips to improve the chances that your kid learns to love skiing as much as you do. 
If they’re not ready, wait
If they aren’t ready, wait until next season. Trying to push them into skiing too soon could risk putting them off for good. The snow will return, and there are plenty of other ways to have fun in the mountains that don’t involve skiing, whether they’re with you or in a kids' club.
Get them used to the snow and equipment
It’s a strange new sensation for kids to wear heavy boots and skis on their feet, so get them used to the feeling. If possible, take them out for an hour a day before lessons so they’re familiar with the snow and the gear.
You could take your children to an indoor snow dome or dry slope for a taster before their first skiing holiday. This will give them a feel for what it’s like, and give them the chance to learn the basics and become comfortable with the equipment.
Book lessons in advance
Make things easy for yourself by booking your child’s ski lessons before your holiday. Choose a well-regarded ski school with English speaking instructors and, if possible, with a meeting point that’s close to your accommodation. New Generation, ESF, and Oxygene are good examples of ski schools in the Alps.
Learn proper teaching techniques
If you’re going to take your child skiing outside of lessons, remember these tips to ensure you’re helping rather than hindering their progress:
- Ask them what they learnt and reinforce it: Qualified instructors use techniques that are easy for kids to understand and follow. Don’t try to introduce your own methods as this could lead to confusion or teach them bad habits. Instead, ask them what they did in their lesson and practice those same techniques.
- Don’t ski with them between your legs: You might have seen parents out on the slopes skiing with their children between their legs. There are a number of reasons you shouldn’t do this. The first one is safety. If you fall, you could land on top of them, and if you’re concentrating on holding them, you’re not paying attention to your surroundings and other skiers. Secondly, because they’re not supporting their own body weight, they’re not learning correct posture or to balance on their own.
- Take them on suitable slopes: Even if you think your child is a skiing prodigy, stick to slopes that are suitable for their abilities. It’s safer and they’ll progress more quickly.
Make sure you have adequate insurance
There are many reasons your child might not be able to ski. Accidents, of course, can happen, but also illness, unexpectedly having to return from your holiday early, or even lessons being cancelled due to bad weather, piste or lift closure. Make sure you have insurance that will reimburse you for passes and missed lessons, as well as hospital bills, repatriation or damaged equipment.
Introduce your kids to skiing by booking your next holiday through Iglu Ski
At Iglu Ski, we make it easy for parents to plan and book their perfect first family skiing holiday.
Whether you want a cosy chalet close to the nursery slopes and ski schools, an apartment with easy ski-in/ski-out access, or a hotel offering kids’ clubs and childcare, our ski experts can help you find the right resort and accommodation for your needs.
Check out our range of family-friendly ski holidays or get in touch with our ski experts today.