I think 3 1/2 years is too young for SLALOM, DH thinks otherwise

[QuintessentialShadows]

He thinks it is the perfect age to start. DS2 will be 4 in June. He has no critical judgement, naturally, being just 3 1/2, so I really think this sport is not the right choice for such a young boy. Cross country skiing is a different kettle of fish, and he is learning just fine.

Just because his 6 year old brother is doing slalom, it doesnt mean the 3 year old should too.

I think it is important to learn that you cannot do everything an older child does, while dh believes in treating them equally. Not possible, with such an age gap!

ds1 started at 3 and loved it. ds2 refused until he was 5. Each child is different and you can't always tell.
Let him try and see how he goes.

Did you have a helmet for yours?

Dh said he could not find small enough helmet, and I am reluctant to let him on the slopes without a helmet (actually even with a helmet....)

Yes! don't let him on the slopes without a helmet. Both Dc had big heads, but if they don't come up small enough you could always put a woollen one underneath. This is not unusual.

There are quite a few v.young children on the slopes near us. In some ways, the smaller/lighter they are, the slower and safer they seem. Some parents use reins on them and that seems to work well but I don't think its necessary if your DS keeps his legs wide, as will then go slowly.

If you are nervous and DH is not, then I suggest that you leave it to DH to deal with. Otherwise your DS will pick up on your anxiety which won't help.

Oh I am anxious allright!

I grew up cross country skiing, and was really quite good (lived in London 15 years, so need to gain confidence again). I only ever tried slalom once, and it was a disaster. I am leaving it to dh to teach ds1, but he is 6 1/2. I am ok with letting ds2 try, it is just that I would prefer ds1 to have mastered it a bit better first, so my dh can focus more on ds2. Seeing as I am not going to be there and much help!

Do they wear hats under their helmets usually? I blew a fuse at dh today that he let ds1 go on the slopes without his beanie under his helmet....

I have to handle this, we see the slopes from our kitchen window. They can kit themselves out and walk to the ski lift. It is a 2 minute walk!

I started at this age and adored it - i think it really helped me in so many ways with balance, confidence etc and i ended up competing at a high level. but the big thing is you need constant adult supervision. Current and future small penguins will be given a chance to start skiing at this age!

so whereabouts in the world do you both live?

QuintessentialShadows - I've got a helmet which fits my 22 month old ds2. As far I know his head isn't that enormous for his age, so it is possible to find them. Neither of mine wear hats under their helmets as a general rule, just a thinn balaclava on particularly cold days.

My now 7.5 year old ds1 has been very informally doing slalom since he was about the age yours is now - he did his first "real" (although not very serious) races at 4.5. And by 6.5 he was doing national level races in under-10's, even managing to win one. So as long as it's not serious racing, just giving them the chance to ski gates as a challenge to what they can do I wouldn't have a problem with it - I fully expect ds2 to be wanting to try at this age.