Start your kids skiing and snowboarding in September, pro-tips from Philippa

Why start your kids skiing in spring?

Spring is by far the best time to get little ones started in snowsports.  Remember the best things about the last few weeks of the season? The warmer weather, blue skies and full visibility make an easy and fun start for newcomers, compared to the colder, windier July/August offering.  New skiers are not bothered by the snow quality. In fact, a three-year-old, who has mastered the magic carpets, is much happier doing a V8 run on the wetter slow snow of September, than the daunting and dangerously faster drier snow of July and August.  

Go in a group for extra fun!

I recommend skiing with families with comparable age children.  They will all progress quickly, without lessons.  Taking a small group of four/five-year-olds out for a ski can be great fun: you lead and rotate the order. Make ‘Tail-End-Charlie’ the most prestigious position. Tail-End-Charlie has the job of screaming out when someone falls over.   Remember, miles/kms under the belt, over every bump and through every tree run is more fun and more learning than lessons at this age.  So, get some friends together!

Take it slow at Smiggin Holes

Don’t overlook Smiggin Holes if you have some young starters. Catch the free bus to and from the ski tube building. At Smigs, it is so easy to get kids off the slope and into the bistro, top and bottom levels, with bathrooms, snacks, warm up facilities and coffee. Think about having multiple rest stops during the morning. Not to mention the easy (and constant) access for emergency loo stops. You can have one child on the balcony and watch the others ski the small chair while you have your coffee. Only at Smigs! 

Ski in spring and save money

For your accommodation, Parrawa has shoulder rates for late season with a substantial reduction in the cost of a family stay. For ski hire, hunt out a deal: such as “hire for mum and dad, kids hire free”. Try East Jindabyne, Berridale or the Jindabyne options. Occasionally there are family deals and discounts available on lift passes for late season skiers.  

Parrawa has a group of families that book for the first week of the October School holidays each year. They are hooked on good weather, have turned non-skiing families into skiing families, kids have enjoyed ‘energetic’ peer group skiing, all of this at a more affordable price than peak season. It really is a great option for young families.

Authored by: Philippa Winram