Taking a 3 Year Old Skiing!

Hi -
I would definitely suggest a ski school program for the first bunch of times for children learning to ski, because they'll learn how to ski better from instructors than from most parents. In our experience, all the places we've gone have had great programs for the little ones. You can rent the gear right there at the resort, and most have half or full day programs where the kids are with instructors. These ski school programs all tend to be very good - lessons, snack, more skiiing, lunch, etc., and the instructors have all been great in our experience. Most teach the kids without poles and the kids have fun and do great at that age! (I don't know of any parent/tot classes but maybe there are.)

Good luck!

We love Copper Mountain!
It has a great building for the ski school
at Union creek with a drive up drop off so you
can park right there and walk the kids to ski school.
You rent the skis right there too in the building.
It is all self contained so it is safe.
They give the kids lunch and snacks and take plenty
of breaks so the kids do not melt down and get too
tired. They also move them to different groups as
they progress so they work at their level. My 3 year
old girl and my year old son both too 2 or 3 lessons
there and are now only skiing with us an we are having
a great time.
Have Fun!

http://www.skiloveland.com/skischool/ChildrensDayLessons....

Here is a site for Loveland which we've found and have always been advised is the best place to take children skiing...however, the age requirement is a minimum of age 4. I know I took my first ski lessons when I was 4 in Breckenridge on a family vacation.

We love Keystone. My 6 y.o. son started there when he was 4, and my 3 y.o. started there this year (they do require potty training). They have an excellent program - they divide the kids up by ability more carefully than some other resorts we've tried, their building is new and well-organized, and the teachers are very nice. Both our boys love it. I haven't heard of any programs that do parent/tot - my boys definitely learn better from someone else - with me there are often tears and demands to be carried while learning a new sport! :)

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Stephanie C
01/30/08 Looking for entertainment ideas for 18 year old brother-in-law's visit to Colora

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Sharon

SKI Cooper is the best for prices
Winter Park is a great experience if you go on the train.
They rent equipment up there - and it is best to get it there in case something goes wrong or doesn't fit properly. Money for lessons isn't cheap - and if the buckle comes off or the boots don't fit right they can fix or exchange them.
There are deals at all the sights.
Steamboat was great fun if you have more than one day - do 3 or more.
Sole Vista - another area - very reasonable - great family area.
Enjoy - have fun, expect nothing from your kid. Skiing isn't enjoyable the first few times - but learning the right way, makes all the difference in the world (the sooner the better).
Good luck and have FUN! (and patience)

We have taken our 2 and a half year old to Loveland and it was great. He was too young for ski school but my husband and I were able to work with him. They have a cheap ticket for the "bunny" slope only called the Joker. It was a great deal. We have also gone to Echo, that tiny resort off 103. It was also great. Not too many people, the magic carpet, and a ski school. Very low key and closer to the city than any other resort. We rented at Sports Authority for $9 or $10 for our son. We did buy the edgy wedgy thing that keeps the tips of the skis together. That was super cheap at CO Ski and Golf. Good luck. My sons favorite part is the ski lift so don't be afraid to try it.

K. - I am mostly familiar with Beavercreek & Vail -they have exceptionally good ski schools and I believe the parents can participate on some level - I am not sure, but I believe with the kids, the rental of equipment is included. I think you can check out there program at www.snow.com - K.

loveland was great - close to denver & much cheaper than Vail, etc. The instructors were so good & the kids loved it! And we didn't have to fight much traffic home as we were already close to Denver!

Hi K., from friends that I have talked to, A-Basin is the best. A friend that has a soon to be 3 year old just took his son there this past weekend and have been taking their 6 year old there for 3 years now. My 6 year old has been taking snowboarding lessons there and loves it. Winter Park, I understand from taking to one of their instructors said that they too are great for little ones. Have fun!

K., While is was many years ago, my oldest daughter is now 23, I took her skiing when she was three years old (and her sister was just a baby who stayed in the nursery). Loveland was my choice. It was my experience that you really don't get to do alot of skiing, run after run, with three year olds. One trip down the bunny slope was good for her. The ski school on the lower area at Loveland was great with the kids and it was easy to make a run by and observe from afar. Of course the more challenging runs are on the upper part, but I gave that up to play on the easier hill with my daughter before and after her ski school - which was a mix of lesson and indoor time. I hope this is helpful for you.
Nancy

K.,

Not sure where you live, but if you are in Colorado, our best experience was Keystone. the ski school is wonderful! The have a terrific set up off on the side of the mountain. There is no cross traffic and no aggressive skiers, just the kids. They have about 8 magic carpets so they don't get on a lift until they are ready. When they do, the ski school lift is low, slow, and the seat comes down real low for them. They have similar facilities on top of the mountain. They instructors were very nice to them and they learned to ski well and respect the mountain and the danger. My best advice? Be sure to by him/her good warm clothes; if they are cold, they will be miserable. I believe as part of the ski school lesson you can get a helmet with your skis. I know Christy Sports in town has helmets available with the rentals. Best of luck!