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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to Think that it Will be easy enough to go on a ski holiday with a 5, 7 and 8 year Old, without putting the kids in ski School?

637 replies

danishkids · 27/01/2022 23:49

We Will go on our first ski holiday ever on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to it. But the more I chat with friends/family, the more people are making me nervous. We are 2 adults, my husband and I. I have only ever been on skis for a few hours when I was 16. My husband has skied a few times.

Everyone I talk to tells me that I’m
Crazy and that it’s impossible to teach 3 kids at once. That it will only end up
With irritated children and parents. Am
I crazy to think that it will be fine? Or am
I just having wishful thinking?

Do you have any tips for first time
Skiers? Especially with kids? Any good techniques to help the kids learn fast?

I’m exited about this holiday, but maybe I shouldn’t be?

OP posts:
theremustonlybeone · 28/01/2022 15:44

You can use the beginner slopes and DC pick it up quick. Get your DH to get your DC on that right from the off. My DC learned quickly and were on the slopes. It will likely be you that takes longer!

Enjoy

lobsteroll · 28/01/2022 15:44

I've read all of your posts OP but not all of the responses.

Even things as basic as where to stop safely on the piste, how to use lifts safely, how to get on a button lift, how to get off a chairlift are important to learn correctly. Skiing is actually extremely dangerous without proper instruction, not to mention bloody miserable if you and your kids are constantly falling over.

Glad you're looking into ski school, you will enjoy it so much more, I promise!

Definitely hire helmets for all of you too 👍🏼

SnottyLottie · 28/01/2022 15:47

After what happened to Gaspard Ulliel and that little girl (separate incidents) last week I would definitely not consider teaching your kids to ski if you cannot/barely ski yourself. It’s so dangerous and you need to learn the basics and etiquette.

RedToothBrush · 28/01/2022 15:51

@theremustonlybeone

You can use the beginner slopes and DC pick it up quick. Get your DH to get your DC on that right from the off. My DC learned quickly and were on the slopes. It will likely be you that takes longer!

Enjoy

Wow not only a dangerous post but lets throw in some sexism for good measure!
theremustonlybeone · 28/01/2022 15:54

RedToothBrush it wasnt sexism to suggest the adult would take longer than a DC to learn.

The beginner area i am talking about is where all the learners learn, you hold on to a pole and are dragged up a tiny slope and let go at the top and it is where you learn to stop.

alfagirl73 · 28/01/2022 16:00

I will start by saying I have never been skiing and likely never will because me and snow are a bad combination and I am 99% certain it would not end well! So no - I haven't had the experience of skiing - but equally I don't need to go mountain climbing, diving or parachute jumping to know they are dangerous sports. You only have to talk to anyone who has ever been skiing to hear stories of terrible injuries. Risk of injury is extremely high.

YouTube can be an excellent resource for learning things or at least getting some starter tips - but I can pretty confidently say that skiing is NOT something you can learn via YouTube.

Skiing is an activity where even the the simplest of falls/accidents can have utterly catastrophic consequences. Natasha Richardson died on a beginner slope - and she had an instructor. A simple fall - banged her head - she didn't think it was anything to worry about - she happily walked to her hotel room - hours later she's dead.

You say you have done a lot of research but if I am honest, and with the greatest of respect, it just doesn't sound like you have thought it through or really appreciated the reality of what you are looking to do.

At this late stage - I would say the two options are either bite the bullet and book ski school - or sack off the skiing completely and just make it a fun snow holiday. It see you are now looking into ski school - I really hope you take the sensible approach and recognise that the cost of doing that is nothing compared to the risks and costs if you don't - and I don't just mean financial.

Do have a lovely holiday - but please please be sensible and if you cannot book lessons and ski safely - just go and have fun in the snow without putting yourself or others at risk.

Octomore · 28/01/2022 16:04

Wow not only a dangerous post but lets throw in some sexism for good measure!

Tbf, it's not sexist to acknowledge that adults learn more slowly than kids. And the OP says herself that her DH has more experience than her.

I agree with you that it's silly advice though.

CuntAmongstThePigeons · 28/01/2022 16:17

I think people have every right to be rude when you've been so blase about your own family's and others safety.

Just because you haven't got the brain cells to do proper research before undertaking a dangerous sport and don't mind if you break your own children's bones, doesn't mean that people can't be angry about the potential of harming other people's children.

I'm sure if you said that you didn't have a driving licence but you were going to teach your kids to drive by driving around roads that OTHER people are on you'd probably get the same responses.

Seerosen · 28/01/2022 16:18

We taught our DC to ski but we'd both had +10 years experience and are pretty competent. I couldn't have done it as a beginner and for safety reasons wouldn't recommend it. There are usually plenty of other things to do though like sledging, snow shoeing, ice skating, winter walking, making snowmen. You can have a great time without skiing Smile

MostlyNormalSometimesOdd · 28/01/2022 16:19

I can't emphasise enough, all of you take lessons.
A couple of hours lessons in the morning, meet for lunch, hang out and practice together in the afternoon.

Thiswayorthatway · 28/01/2022 16:21

Shock Confused

minipie · 28/01/2022 16:22

The beginner area i am talking about is where all the learners learn, you hold on to a pole and are dragged up a tiny slope and let go at the top and it is where you learn to stop.

This kind of area is often only accessible to ski instructors and their pupils.

oncemoreunto · 28/01/2022 16:24

It is also worth noting it is pretty physical when you are first learning. I wasn't cold, in fact on the lower slopes, practicing how to walk uphill a little on skis as well as ski down I was pretty hot and sweaty by the end.
Ski boots seem pretty uncomfortable even if they fit and unless you have practiced squats and lunges a fair bit your muscles are going to ache.

So I would definitely plan other activities as well to give your body a break.

My dc adore skiing but even they wake up on day 2 with aching muscles and groans about putting the boots on again.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 28/01/2022 16:24

If you really can't afford ski lessons You u have another option - don't ski!
There are lots of other things to do in a ski resort (depending on which one you are going to of course!).

We often go skiing with my Dad, who doesn't ski and he potters around enjoying the mountains. You can find areas to sledge and walk, go ice skating and other mountain activities etc.
People do take young children skiing, but I personally found it a struggle with all the equipment until my children were about 7.

Dindundundundeeer · 28/01/2022 16:27

OP I wouldn’t buy a ski pass, you may not need one. Lots of the nursery slopes can be free, or minimal cost. There may be a magic carpet and that’s enough for you for the first few days.

I’d put good money on the 8yr old being the best by the end of the week! … you’ll get great value out of the lessons so do invest.

RepentMotherfucker · 28/01/2022 16:28

@minipie

The beginner area i am talking about is where all the learners learn, you hold on to a pole and are dragged up a tiny slope and let go at the top and it is where you learn to stop.

This kind of area is often only accessible to ski instructors and their pupils.

This thread is so much proof that a little knowledge is a very dangerous thing!
whenwillthemadnessend · 28/01/2022 16:29

Yes you are mad. In ski school they will rapidly improve

If you do t this could
Well
Be your last ski trip as they will
Hate it.

Why not book a family lesson block.

Nanny0gg · 28/01/2022 16:30

@itsgoodtobehome

Funnily enough I was having this conversation with my DH the other day. I used to absolutely love skiing. But the last few times that I went, I hated it. The reason being that with cheap flights etc, it has become far too accessible to people who can't really afford to do it properly. They get their £20 Ryanair flight out there, cheap accommodation, and cut corners on getting proper kit, lessons etc. The amount of out of control idiots that I encountered last time I went, has seriously put me off. It sounds like OP and her family fall exactly into this category.
A little 5 year-old was killed recently because she was hit by an 'experienced' skier at speed.

I don't know which of them was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I think he's being done for manslaughter.
No comfort to that little girl's family.

BobBobbity · 28/01/2022 16:31

Bit of an aside, but I went skiing with a group including a friend who had little ski experience and had no formal tuition. Although she could get herself down most runs, she was a complete liability to herself and others - she didn’t have the basic skills needed to ski in a controlled manner and was far too reliant on other people being able to get out of her way. She had completely misplaced confidence that because she could zoom down slopes that she was a competent skier. I would make excuses to go off skiing in my own because she was terrifying to be on the piste with.

affairsofdragons · 28/01/2022 16:32

@danishkids

This time round money is too tight to put them in ski school. So we thought we could take it slowly, learning together. I have watched some YouTube videos to try and learn the basics (I know it will be different in real life but it’s a start)

Sounds like I am being unreasonable Blush

Has anyone taught yourself and kids on your own?

Then you can't afford to go on a family ski trip, imo.

Find the money. Make sure they learn properly in an area designated for beginners.

RepentMotherfucker · 28/01/2022 16:34

don't know which of them was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I think he's being done for manslaughter.

It's like driving, if you go into the back of someone you're at fault. Even if they swerved into your way or something.

paname · 28/01/2022 16:43

@Nanny0gg The little girl who died was in ski school at the time she died. The instructor had them under control in a single file line behind him when an out of control skier hit her at high speed. He's a disgrace and there should be a charge higher than manslaughter.

viques · 28/01/2022 16:43

OP can I suggest you book yourself , OH and the children into a local ice rink. Book for a three or four hour session, see how you all feel at the end of it, I bet at least two of the kids will be crying/ have cried, you are all exhausted, your back aches, you have bruises on your knees that make it impossible to go upstairs, your hands are so stiff you can barely get the skates off. Then say cheerfully to the children, “we are coming here again tomorrow, and the next day...” . Now imagine doing all that outside, in cold weather...... it’s not going to be a fun holiday, for anyone.

backinthebox · 28/01/2022 16:44

I don’t think I have ever seen a MN thread so united in it’s opinion, I would say it’s about 99.9% in favour of ski lessons!

I’m currently checking out ski lessons for my kids. They will be off to ski school this year. I put them in ski lessons from the age of 3, and the 14yo has had about 8 weeks of lessons and the 11 year old has had about 4 weeks of lessons (he has had about 10 weeks of skiing, but chickenpox, Covid, last minute bookings and a variety of other random events mean he didn’t get booked in every year.) They will STILL benefit from more lessons - neither DH (former ski industry professional) or I (ski instructor level skier) have the actual skills to teach them stuff like jumping and ‘getting air’ or the authority with our kids to teach them what they need to know to be safe at speed. They will be in a group because this is the most cost effective way to buy ski lessons. Anyone who is recommending private lessons must be looking at something I’ve never come across, because you can buy 15 hours of group lessons for one child for about the same price as a single hour’s private family group tuition in most of the ski school’s I’ve booked my kids into. And that doesn’t really seem good value.

Skiing is such an enjoyable sport, and I very much value being able to do it well. Tuition early on was fundamental to being able to get the most out of it. Everywhere I have looked at the price of ski lessons, it seems it costs about €150-200 for 5 half-days. This leaves afternoons free for family to ski together, have hot chocolates, for the kids to show their parents where they went and what they learnt. I don’t understand why anyone would want to gloss over this area! Having said that, if the OP is a committed home-schooler, she has already made a fairly bold lifestyle statement that she is more capable than trained professionals when it comes to her children’s education, and it’s not a big leap to see how she could think it possible to teach them anything she chooses to and her own lack of expertise should not be a factor!

I do hope she gets lessons, and I do hope she and her family have a lovely time. Skiing with kids is fabulous fun …… once you all have some basic skills!

Octomore · 28/01/2022 16:48

@RepentMotherfucker

don't know which of them was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I think he's being done for manslaughter.

It's like driving, if you go into the back of someone you're at fault. Even if they swerved into your way or something.

Yes, I was going to say this.

If you are skiing fast down a slope, it is 100% your responsibility to ensure that you can avoid, or stop in time for, any obstacles - human or otherwise.

There is no excuse whatsoever for barrelling into someone - it doesn't matter how slow they were going. They could be stood still in the middle of the piste (obviously extremely unwise, and you'll get shouted at if you try this!), and it would still be the skier behind's fault.