AIBU to feel uncomfortable about my 5yo starting skiing?

[Comfortable8520]

I’d really appreciate some honest views as I’m quite torn on this.

I didn’t grow up in the UK, and where I’m from skiing wasn’t a social or normal activity at all. There wasn’t any sense that you might be missing out if you didn’t do it.

Because of that, I’ve always seen skiing as quite a risky sport. All of my friends who ski regularly have, at some point, broken something or had a fairly serious injury. So in my mind it feels like one of those things where, if you do it long enough, something will eventually happen.

Now my DC is 5, and I’m genuinely surprised by how many parents around us are already getting their children into skiing. Some started doing this every year, and I know school trips can become a thing later on too.

I feel really conflicted.

On one hand, I don’t feel comfortable actively encouraging a sport that I associate with a real risk of fractures over time. It feels like I’d be setting DC on a path that increases the chance of injury.

On the other hand, I don’t want DC to feel left out in the future if this is something many of their peers do and talk about.

So AIBU to feel like this and hesitate to get DC into skiing?

Would really appreciate hearing how others approached this.

I've grown up with skiers/am one since childhood, and I've never known anyone getting hurt.
If you can afford it, skiing is a great sport! Lots of fresh air, exciting and so much fun.
Starting kids young is the best way to go- they've got a smaller center of gravity so they learn good movement a lot more easily.

Saying that, I guess if you're really that scared about it, don't do it. School trips are not compulsory and there are plenty of other activities and sports they can do.

Where does one draw the line? Every sport comes with a risk of injury.

They start ski school when they are around 2 years old, so cute!!!

I grew up in the UK and no-one I knew went skiing. I was at a bog standard state schools and probably like us they could never have afforded to do so. It depends on what social circles you are part off. My inability and lack of interest in skiiing has never been a problem socially, it has always been completely irrelevant. Besides, he's 5. Plenty of time later if he expresses an interest.

It’s risky. As is biking, trampolining, scooting, skateboarding, climbing over a play frame etc etc. A friend who works in a&e says more kids break things jumping off the sofa than anything 🤷‍♀️

I appreciate there can be more serious injuries but a broken limb is not the end of the world - it heals and builds some resilience with it.

It really depends on the people you mix with OP. I don’t know many people who go skiing at all, some people’s teens have been on a school ski trip but that’s all. One of my children does do a fairly risky sport with quite a high chance of fractures, and to be honest my son plays football which also has a risk of broken bones.

Go skiing if you want to, if it’s not for you your child can go when they’re an adult if they want.

Really? You’re all lucky.

I’ve skied since childhood and most of my friends/relatives have either broken something or suffered a knee injury.

I tore my ACL and have had numerous medial ligament injuries. My knees are in pretty bad shape.

I skied from a five year old, DH as soon as he could walk and we took DT’s from age 4 - none of us have had any injuries and we ski multiple times a year.

They’re not going to be sending your 5 year old off down a black run OP. It’ll be fine.

Mine was 3. Now she’s really competent

I come from a small place in Switzerland, we used to do skiing as PE in the winter, skied weekends and all holidays.
Some of my school mates became ski instructors and no-one ever got seriously hurt (aside from the odd tumble and bruise)

Obviously very anecdotal!

I grew up in Europe. We all went on school trips skiing from around 8 years old. Most families also skied during Feb half term holidays, including my own. It was cheap and accessible from where we lived. I still ski with some of my school friends decades later! I've taken my DC skiing since about 2 yrs old.
The only person I've known in all my lifetime of skiing who's badly injured myself is my DC, who decided he could do fancy snowboard flips .. spolier alert he couldn't! And broke his wrist.
Other than that no serious falls or injuries. To be honest I barely fall over now as I am not bothered about skiing black runs these days so only do easier slopes.
It's like any sport. It's tough when you start, but as you progress it gets easier and less injury prone

Lol none of us every went skiing( nowhere near privileged enough for that) but I broke ankle tripping over a paving slab, one brother broke his arm on kids seesaw in garden with mum and Aunt watching. Another brother smashed his knee playing football and teenaged DS managed a minor hip fracture doing the same. Sister had surgery abroad as an adult in a cycling accident

Breaks can happen no matter what you are doing

DH and I both grew up skiing as did our kids. We've all had the usual injuries in life, but none related to skiing, so far. The earlier they learn, the better they'll be at it and the less chance of injury. Just make sure they wear a helmet.

I wouldn't be worried about danger. If your child turns into a cyclist they will be at daily risk of collisions with cars - but you wouldn't use that as an excuse not to teach them to ride a bike.
I think skiing is great if you live in a country that regularly has snow. But if you're in Southern England, for example, learning to ski is trickier. You either learn on dry slopes or you subject the whole family to the torture and spent a fortune on a trip abroad.
Non skier here, obvs.

My daughter learnt to ski. I was less concerned about that than I was about her going on those garden trampolines.

I've skied since I was a teen and no injuries from it, other than my pride when I went downhill a ways face first.

In alpine countries, children pretty much start skiing almost as soon as they can walk in many cases. When I was a language assistant in Austria, the skiing trip was a compulsory part of their PE. Being close to the ground will help limit any potential harm from falls, and as others have said they won't be sent straight down a black run, and good to start before too much fear sets in (I started as an adult, while in Austria, and definitely had to overcome that!) ! If it's not skiing, it could be another higher risk sport or hobby they take up!

I live in Scotland. I skied from age 9. My kids have been skiing since age 3 and race train every week.

II had to have surgery for an injury recently, I tore the meniscus in both knees slipping on a tennis court.

YABU

Half my (wider) family are all skiiers, and ski instructors. No major injuries between them. Start skiing at 3; they love it.

We don't ski as an immediate family; have never been able to afford it. My kids may have all kinds of challenges in life, but I have to say not being skiiers is not one of them. Skiing is not compulsory.

Big skiing family here, married into one too. Going on annual skiing holidays, have been skiing since I was 4yo...not one injury skiing nor anyone in both families.

Injuries cycling however....

Same. Skiing isn't a standard thing to do in the UK. I've never been skiing and never wanted to.

I have never met anyone in my life who has been skiing - most of the posters must either have been to posh schools or not born in the UK

It’s incredibly normal to not go skiing op, I never did as a child- nor did any of my friends. I went on a ski trip at 15 with my 6th form then went on to be a chalet host at 22. Have been on one holiday since. I’d like my little one go to at some point but I won’t rush her into it- I see little point her going until she’s 4 or so but it really isn’t a necessary activity or holiday if you don’t fancy it!

My husband and children are all skiers and have never had any injuries. Only bad accident was daughter breaking her arm falling off her bike.