6-year-old snow skiing for first time in Whistler
 

Hi, everyone. We're bringing our 6-year-old skiing in Whistler in March. We're enrolled in a full day of ski school, and then will probably ski the following day. We're staying at the Westin Whistler, and I suppose that's where we'll be skiing. Is there anything I should be concerned about, safety-wise? I should also mention this is my first time skiing, and I'm a worrier. I keep having visions of my daughter sailing over the edge of a cliff. Please let me know if any of you have taken your small children snow skiing in this area. Thank you, Margot

Little kids have less distance to fall.

And they love skiing, and I'm willing to bet the instructors chosen to look after kids will be excellent.

Beware the price of ski clothes for kids who are growing.

Other than that, you'll have fun wathing the kid, too.

BAK

There is the Whistler Kids Program available. Children are grouped into similar age groups and instructors take them to a kids only area for lessons (perfectly safe by the way). Lunch is provided in a nearby building where they can warm up around a fireplace.

My son really enjoyed his experience with the program and is signed up again for this coming Spring Break.

Thanks, guys. I feel much better!

When you're learning, you stick to the easiest runs, or sometimes even the bunny hills. They aren't steep, nor are they hanging off cliffs. They're generally very wide areas where, if you're going to lose control somehow and head off the side, you're going to encounter a giant snowbank, not a cliff. ;) Believe me from experience! ;)

If this is you and your child's first time skiing, you should go to ski school both days. After one day of ski school, your 6 year old will not be ready to ski the mountain (and you probably won't be either). Whistler has a good kids' program.

Husband and I did find a couple of ski school kids that were lost last year at Whistler. One kid had fallen and another kid stopped to help. The rest of the group and the instructor hadn't noticed and they had skied off. We skied with the kids back to the children's ski school building and returned them there. Your child is not likely to get lost as she will be at the beginner area. Also, the beginner area is not near any cliffs. She'll be fine.

I bet your kid can ski better after one day than you can. Avoid the runs marked with skull and crossbones flags and the ones marked with yellow tape that says 'do not ski here'. Green is good, black is bad. Well, for you anyway. Have fun.

The ski school for kids is great. No where near cliffs, no worries. They have a great area away from the adults and other skiers for the kids. The beginner area for adults is great too, away from the rest of the regular folk who are experienced skiers. The chair lift does not go too fast, you will get the hang of it in no time flat. You may want to stay in this area for the most part as the green runs for begginners even on the mountain can be a challenge in some places. Overall you will have a blast, it is so beautiful.

Ours was 5 when we went, 5 days kids´school, LOVED it! She will have more fun with kids and instructors, leave her there the entire time. And you, take at least 2 days.

You will love this sport!

Agree with others to enroll your daughter in two days of ski school - not just one. My friend's daughter started skiing last year and loved her first day of lessons and hated her second day skiing with her Dad. I know everyone is different, but I would go with two days of lessons for her.

As for you - I am assuming your partner does ski so I would go for the one day of lessons and then see how you feel about the second day - if you are feeling comfortable then you could work on what you learned with your partner if s/he's patient. But beware - an advanced skier will not remember what it's like to be a beginner and might expect you to be capable of more than you're comfortable with. Just stick with what you're okay with (it's no shame to not get off the learning hills for the first two days) and you'll have a great time!