Best toddler setup

[RowB1]

Looking to get my 2+ year old out in the snow. I haven't seen anything pop up in the keep the kids skiing thread, and my inlaws are always looking to buy something for the little guy, so might as well be ski gear over some plastic toy that makes terrible noises.
We have those pastic skis but they seem a bit of an abomination.

Recs on boots - Ive seen Fischer One's vs Roces adjustable boots mentioned.

Poles? - I was thinking no poles since that seems to be the trend on the hill with the little ones, are reason to reconsider?

Skis - how to size them? Any ones to avoid or get?

I was thinking a bike helmet with a beanie under would suffice for noggin protection. Anyone with kiddos found that to be a problem?

How the F do you get your kid to keep their gloves on? Mine is contantly taking his off then eatng snow, then crying bc of cold hands. Is that even a behavior worth trying to change? So far I just bank on short outdoor outings when temps are low.

Gracias totales

[funkendrenchman]

Boots - ones that fit his feet (extra room is fine and can be fixed by two pairs of socks). Can be had used for $25-35

Poles - not until he's a level 5-6 skier AND probably at least 5 years old. Some exceptional 4.5 year old might be ok.

Skis - probably 67-70cm at that age. Should be below the chin.

Bike helmet is fine, but a ski helmet is warmer and better holds goggles. The Giro Launch is great. The Marker Bino XXS is the smallest I've seen.

Use goggles. Besides being practical it makes them more likely to wear them at 3, 4, etc.

My kids took off gloves all the time, but not much while skiing. It's cold and the snow is cold. The zipping Hestras are my faves. They're also not super easy to pull off with a buff on your face.

Use a harness. We used the leash at 2, but it's also super useful for picking the kids up.

[kokomas]

Roces boots. Any skis you can get your hands on. Prolly 80 cm in your case. Edgy wedgy to keep the tips together to start. No poles. No idea with the gloves

[Danno]

There is a thread in Gear Swap -- "Keep Kids Skiing" -- stickied at the top, that is a great place to find gear and to ask questions. There is also a kid stoke thread in the main forum that is a good place to ask.

[toast2266]

Go to the rental shop at your local mountain and see if they have any kids skis they're looking to unload. My kids, and *lots* of other kids in our town are on old rental gear.

[mn_teleswede]

Instead of a harness, I would recommend buying a 6’ length of webbing and 2 carabiners. Attach carabiners to each end of webbing and then attach to kiddos boots. That way they learn to balance themselves and you can help control their steering/ speed much easier. The shorter the ski the better imo- lets the feel the edge engage. Boots are tough to find- If boots are too big at first- shove a pair of socks in the end.


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[Danno]

^^^^^
Agree with the straps around the boots. We still used a harness but never used its straps. The harness was still nice to pick them up with and hold onto them once they are riding lifts, but the straps pull them from the torso and mess up their body position.

[mn_teleswede]

Instead of a harness, I would recommend buying a 6’ length of webbing and 2 carabiners. Attach carabiners to each end of webbing and then attach to kiddos boots. That way they learn to balance themselves and you can help control their steering/ speed much easier. The shorter the ski the better imo- lets the feel the edge engage. Boots are tough to find- If boots are too big at first- shove a pair of socks in the end.


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[oetk2]

Best advice I got a few years back was to start putting their gear on at home to wear around the house. It gets them used to it, especially boots, in a comfortable environment. Then the 1st day you go it's not a new activity AND all new clothes/boots. My daughter would clomp around the house in her boots, put her helmet on, even walk around with boots and skis some times. All good advice above, keep lots pocket snacks, stretch your back out for all the bending down, and the rechargable hand warmers are a day saver

[toast2266]

Not as cheap as straps, but for $30, these things worked well for us:

Launch Pad Hookease Ski Trainer - Learn to Ski - Teaches Proper Form and Speed Control - Universal Fit for All Pole Sizes- Unique Solution for Beginner Skiers https://a.co/d/5Sstbml

Since you have a more rigid connection, you can do more to guide the kid's ski into the proper location. So you can show them how to do a wedge and do turns (while also keeping their speed in check).

[SnowMachine]

Go for it if your kid is super into it. If you think they'll be the next McConkey because you started them at two, don't bother. My kids just wanted to play in the snow at that age, so we started the skiing at 4. It made my life easier and prevented the arguing with my wife that I see with other families trying to teach tiny children. They learn so much quicker when they're older. I never used harnesses, edgy wedgies or any of that. Just taught them to pizza and made them follow me into turns (just pressure the outside leg).

Both of my kids are skiing at the top of their ski teams. My (just turned) 7 year old has skied countless black and double black runs and has perfect ankle flexion/form carving turns on groomers. Last week he skied his first true pow day (I had previously left him with mom on the groomers for pow days). By waiting until he had stronger form he was actually able to float and make big turns. He crushed it.

If you can't tell, I firmly believe that waiting until they're a bit older is better for everybody. My close friends have a son that just wouldn't stay on the bench. He started before two. There were so many scary moments of him just straight lining and skiing out of control. He's the same age as my youngest who has passed him up at all skills. Their second son has no interest and they're doing everything they can to keep him off of skis until he's ready.

My .02

My youngest was very interested in putting skis on in the house. We encouraged that, but waited on getting him on the ski hill. It helped having friends with the same age kids. They would all just play in the snow by the lodge. Once they start skiing, lots of hot chocolate breaks and very mellow slopes to start. Let them learn to turn their own skis.

Oh, and the best money you'll ever spend is letting somebody else teach your kids. My kids would do things for coaches that they would never do for me (climb back up hill for a lost ski, etc.).

[kamtron]

My plan is to start with nordic and just shuffle around with nordic skis for a while. But good to read about others' experiences.

[alpinevibes]

What Funken said regarding gear is what I’d say. I also have liked getting them out on Nordic gear as 3 and 4y/o. That said, Funken and I are lucky to live 1/2mi from the ski hill, so getting kids out young is much different than loading them up for a drive and a whole family ski day. I can totally respect people who waited till it was more practical. Just depends on your kid, your situation and your time.

My twins are 4 and started on playing around the yard at 1.5 with strap-on skis and started on 65cm skis at 28mo. We used a piece of webbing under their armpits at first then progressed to having them hold onto a ski pole/hockey stick before they could ski independently. They made that transition at the beginning of last season when they were 3.

We just moved them up to 85/90cm skis this year and that’s been good. No poles yet. They’ve loved every minute of skiing, love skiing with their friends (and our friends) and are solid skiers. They enjoy carving turns, skiing pow c skiing bumps, skiing all the mountains etc etc. Trying not to push them in any way but provide the opportunities for them to explore and be psyched on it. So far so good.


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[Hood26]

Lots of gummy worms, left in a bag at the top of the hill, gotta ride that lift again to get the treats. Extra goggles and gloves in your pocket.

I always liked showing up at the parking lot about lunch time. I didn't have to rush them out the door, the sun usually found its way out, and everything was just little more chill. I also liked going to the off-beat resorts, trying to get a good day in at the always crowded places often wasn't so fun.

Maybe this is for when older and on a bit more pitch, but don't argue with them if they want to take their skis off and "just walk." Just say OK take their skis for them a little way down the hill and wait. They will come slipping and falling to you and want their skis back

Cheers to you. The days were long and the years short. I miss them.

[detrusor]

Edgie wedgies for sure

We read lots of books on the couch w helmet and goggles on

Harness for getting on the lift and picking up.

The hula hoop is way superior to any strap type thing. Get a 10 ft length of pex and a connector at Home Depot. Wrap in whatever color duct tape the kiddo wants. Start w them skiing inside the hoop hanging on. You can “steer them”. It keeps them leaning forward. As the progress startcskiing switch with them holding onto the outside facing you. Next is let ‘em go on their own. You can ski up and “catch “ them w the hoop if it’s to fast or scary. Seriously, both kids 2-3 days at 2 years old skiing alone.

Second the lots of gummy worms

I’ve got a video of my youngest skiing on her second birthday all by herself with a posse of buddies somewhere….

[kokomas]

Lifting by the harness is so satisfying and Dad like

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[sb]

Lift lines are already crowded enough.

Carry on.

Lol

[anotherVTskibum]

Kinderlift vests kick ass for lifting and provide a little bit of warmth (at least according to my 3-year-old). They're much more confidence-inspiring than some of the cheaper harness options when it comes to picking a kid up and holding them on a chairlift.

I'm also a big fan of the Fischer One boots, as is my two-year-old (he'll stick his feet in and run around on his own). If you truly want the best toddler setup, I think they're hard to beat.

I thought my ex was a little crazy getting both kids on skis before two, but they've really taken to it. I have no expectations that it's going to make me them the next Bode or Mikaela (the best way to do that is to provide World Cup genetics, a January birth month, and a big budget when they get older, so that's 0/3 for us). I'm willing to carry one or both if they're tired, which I realize will bite me in the ass to some degree.

The three year old now does lessons with daycare, skiing with her age peers on the magic carpets. She's been loving it and has demonstrated a big improvement in both skiing ability and willingness to actually turn and control speed, so a big second on lessons if available.

We did use hula hoops and then a broken gate shaft; a hockey stick would also be an option. Skiing with them next to you on a stick of some sort is much easier on the back than between your legs, but you have to be willing to mostly steer with it rather than just trying to slow them down. My ex didn't like that, so both kids also have fancy leash setups that are basically a well-made harness (including crotch straps, which are helpful for lifting) and a pair of 15' flexi-style leashes. Again, the challenge is to use them to steer rather than brake to the extent possible.

ETA: the leash setup is the "Lil Ripper Gripper". Pricey, well-reviewed online, and I like it a lot better than the static straps that you have to tuck into a backpack when not in use. I'm still not a huge fan of leashes in general--it's easy to use them as a crutch and just act as a sea anchor for the kid below you rather than teaching them to manage speed--but for a kid who can turn but has zero spatial awareness, I see a significant benefit.

[anotherVTskibum]

Oh, and both of mine also got real Nordic skis for Christmas. They got their first real outing last night and both did fine on flats but struggled a bit when the skis started running downhill; they also both insisted on going down the biggest hill available, and independently said that alpine skiing was more fun. Putting the Nordic boots on them is far more challenging than the Fischers, especially for the three year old (I think her Nordic boots fit properly, the two year old has extra space in his).

[bfree]

Hah, a lot of these comments resonate. Good stuff. I'm having a blast now skiing with my 3.5 y.o. I started him at 1.5 (plastic skis) and 2.5 (real skis) but I'll probably wait until 3 for my second. I don't think we accomplished much useful before this season, other than getting him used to the idea of going skiing. Just not enough strength/coordination yet to hold a pizza shape even with the edgie wedgie.

Keep your expectations really low. Some days have been great, other days have gone rather poorly and I've been thankful to only have spent 30 mins driving to the hill.

A few things that have been helpful that I didn't see above:
1. show up around 2pm. Minimal crowds and a couple hours is more than enough.
2. grab your lightest skis and no poles. I use my spring touring gear. If they have a meltdown, you don't want to be carrying a toddler, toddler skis, and your heavy alpine setup. If strategy #1 above allowed you to park 50 yards from the magic carpet as it often does for me, this is less important.
3. start with yourself just on foot rather than skis until they get the hang of actually standing/balancing themselves.

So far, I'm avoiding any kind of straps or harnesses since I haven't seen much evidence of them being helpful (I don't mind just holding his hands), but I am pretty intrigued by the hula hoop idea.

[Lindahl]

I just started this year with our 2yr4mo kid. 4 days in and she had learned pizza and french fry and how to control her speed on that 4th day. She loves it and it's about as good as any powder day for me. Probably depends on the kid, I'd walk away and wait longer if she didn't take to it like she did. We use the Fischer boots just to remove that from the whole equation. Just between my legs or on leash depending how tired she is. We do full chairlifts cuz she insists, so I usually end up with her between my legs and somewhat holding her for part of it (middle third of the run) cuz she's so gassed. We use candy canes as motivation and recharge. She lasts about half a day and then asks for 1-2 more runs after lunch even though she's about to collapse from exhaustion. It so much fun. Don't push it and train her to hard - just have fun with it.

Fischer boots
65cm skis with boots from gear swap
Helmet that fits from Craigslist
Snowsuit and gloves from Costco
Whatever clothes we already had under it
We're working on Goggles - didn't find any quick enough so we did sunglasses cuz the weather was nice

[toast2266]

I should also add: ski movies in the evenings are really helpful for building the hype. I've been running through my collection of older matchstick and tgr movies (along with some of the new ones). The kids love them, and I'd personally much rather watch those than Cars 3 for the bazillionth time.

[detrusor]

Short park skis for skiing switch and following through the tree luge

[bfree]

I should also add: ski movies in the evenings are really helpful for building the hype. I've been running through my collection of older matchstick and tgr movies (along with some of the new ones). The kids love them, and I'd personally much rather watch those than Cars 3 for the bazillionth time.

I mean, Cars 3 is a lot better than Blippi, but that's a brilliant idea.

[anotherVTskibum]

Short park skis for skiing switch and following through the tree luge

I had a chance to pick up a pair cheap and did this, but now that the kids are actually starting to turn more, I'm finding I'm happier on a pair of beat slalom skis. YMMV, of course, but for me the slalom skis respond more quickly and are easier to use to catch up when one of them tries to escape the magic carpet area and head for the chairlift. Short is definitely good, though; I think I've ended up on 188 Bent 100s with the kids one or two days because that's what I had in the truck, and the extra length gets really annoying trying to get close enough to pick them up, provide snacks, etc.

Time of day will vary depending on your kids. Mine like to get up early, so it's easier to ski at the opening bell or wait until after the afternoon nap, if they go to sleep early enough to catch an hour before the lifts close.

Parking close is helpful; with two toddlers, their red wagon has become pretty much required at the bigger resort.