8 year old has lost confidence skiing- what other snowy activites might he enjoy?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

We went skiing for the first time last year, and DS7 did really well. He has dyspraxia and ADHD and so it was hard work for him, but he achieved a huge amount and we had a great holiday. However, he's lost a lot of confidence about physical activities over the last year and is saying that he does not wish to ski this winter. DD (10, and much better than him, which I think doesn't help) is very keen to go to ski school again and DH and I are happy to be flexible (taking turns skiing etc.) as long as we all have a nice holiday. I'm wondering if any seasoned winter holiday-goers could help us think through what the options might be? He's not the type who can me made to do something he doesn't feel happy doing and we know that a light touch and flexible approach work best. He loves being in the snow (and eating fondue), it's just the going fast down a mountain bit he's not so keen on. I was wondering about snowshoe walking? And I've seen people on short skis heading up the mountain and on the footpaths (but I don't know what that's called, or whether it's a gentle or lethal pursuit), and wondered if that might be an option. He might be open to a couple of private ski lessons with me too, although I'm not sure how that would work? He loved sledging, although is now saying he feels a bit nervous when he remembers how fast it was. We are very relaxed about any ideas, but are limited to a particular small resort in France (family chalet). Any thoughts or ideas much appreciated.

I would see whether he would be prepared to try a one to one lesson (they are expensive though!) I am quite a nervous skier and hate going too fast/pistes with steep edges. I've taken to doing a private lesson at the start of the week and it is amazing how much they build my confidence in just a couple of hours. I can then ski the rest of the week (at a slow pace but with confidence). When I tried no lessons or group lessons I always ended up booking a private session after a day/switching to private (out of school holidays so availability to swap).

Does the resort have a swimming pool or ice rink as that might give other options? As someone who doesn't tend to ski every day, some ski resorts can be pretty dull if you aren't skiing.

Thanks for the ideas. There's no ice rink, although we are near larger resorts and there is certainly one in Evian, so we can try that. There's a pool at a local hotel. I agree that I really don't want the holiday to feel boring for him.

We are in negotiations about private lessons. I think he'd enjoy that, but we need to convince him enough to get him to one! I'll have private lessons as I'm a very nervous skier, so we could go together. Once he gets going he's much better than me!

I'm nervous skier, in a family of good skiers..

I used to get fearfully bored until I took up snowshoeing. It's a brilliant way to be out the snow and come back tired. Depending on where you go, there can be lovely trails available.

Other possibilities: langlauf-ing, sledging (though I'm even more nervous of that!), or running (good in places where there are pisted footpaths)

I'll have private lessons as I'm a very nervous skier, so we could go together. Once he gets going he's much better than me!

It does sound like if you can get over that then a private lesson would suit both of you. They can give you so much personalized time in terms of fixing technique so skiing is easier and coaching you over tricky bits (I've even been towed by an instructor before!). And once you've done a route it is so much easier to believe you can so do it again.

Do the private lesson together.
Snow shoeing depends on the paths. It’s pretty dull just by the side of the piste - you need beautiful paths in the forest.
Short skis (blades) are fecking terrifying. Don’t do it!!

Take the pressure off and focus on the fun. Ski holidays are not all about the skiiing for us it’s fresh mountain air, the fries the hot chocolate, board games we take with us, the fondue. Bowling or skittles in some resorts, lurge or sledging plus there’s always cross country skiing you can try. Our youngest had a wobble and we found a small group with other English kids helped. But I’d agree a good private instructor is really worth the money to help confidence. Hope you have a lovely time.

My dc tried skiing with school last year and are desperate to do it again this year.
I don't ski and couldn't.
Dc have recommended I try snow tubing, which wouldn't hurt my knees. It seems to be tobogganing in an inflatable tyre ring. All adrenaline, no physical skill.

I'd keep it open at this stage. Don't pressure him. Consider a one to one lesson to get his confidence up. Ski school in a big group really isn't for everyone, it can be a bit sink or swim. Maybe he is just nervous that you will make him do group lessons again!

My DD was a very very nervous beginner, but a single lesson with a private instructor made a massive difference.

Thanks so much for those ideas. You've given us lots of brilliant ideas. We are lucky that we have many signed snowshoe walks straight out if the chalet and places to hire them, so we will certainly try that. And hopefully he will agree to some private lessons. There are usually some lovely teachers in the resort and it will help to go at his own pace. We are 40 minutes from a larger resort ( Chatel) which I guess will have fun snow activities that we can research and maybe try. He did so well last year that I really hope we can keep up his confidence in the snow, even if he takes a little longer to learn to ski ( or chooses other activities). Having a child with additional needs is such a steep learning curve, especially with things like this. Advice much appreciated!

I tried those short skis once and loved them more than standard skis, they are called snowblades and feel a lot easier to do turns on but beware of going too fast (u can't see the tips and at times it feels like u are flying.

Maybe worth trying longer sessions on a decent nursery slopes, it could be that he is overwhelmed by space/distance.