OUR BEST ADVICE FOR A SMOOTH START.
At Starski, we know it is important for the first day of ski school to go well for you and your child(ren). You have already succeeded in getting you and your family to resort and now have to contend with getting everyone ready for ski school. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Follow our advice and their first day at ski school is sure to be a success, for you and your little one(s).
© Rémi NGuyen Cao
THE RIGHT SKI CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
Consider the mountain weather conditions when dressing your child(ren). Dress them in technical base layers, by which we mean leggings and a long-sleeved top in either a wool or a synthetic material (not cotton!) Keep their feet warm with a pair of ski specific socks and keep their hands cosy with warm waterproof gloves. For little ones, mittens are best as they are warmer and easier to put on. Lastly, a scarf or buff will keep the wind out and googles and a helmet will provide the ultimate protection required.
APPLY SUNCREAM!
Protect your children’s skin while they’re out and about or on the slopes. According to a Japanese study, UV rays are 2.5 times stronger on the snow than they are on a beach. Because they rays scatter and reflect on the bright white snow, they can cause considerable damage to the skin and eyes.
To avoid skin damage and sore eyes, lather them with plenty of high-factor suncream (50+ SPF), cover them up with neck and face warmers and put them in goggles.
ALLOW PLENTY OF TIME
The lessons are booked, the kids are dressed, now it’s time to get to the meeting point.
Give yourself plenty of time is our top tip here. Being late on the first day is stressful for you and the instructor. But don’t worry, we understand that life can get in the way sometimes, so if you do get stuck, just give us a call and let us know.
Always double-check where the meeting point is before your child’s first lesson. Information about how to find us can be found on our website.
CALLS OF NATURE
When your little one needs the loo, our instructors are on hand to get them to a toilet in time. And if there’s one tip we can give you from our over 25 years’ of potty pit-stop experience, it’s please dress your kids in ‘pull-on’ ski pants. Avoid onesies at all costs for little ones. Yes, they’re cute and stop the snow from getting in, but taking them off allows very little time for error if they’re desperate for the loo. We recommend ski pants and a jacket instead.
Psst: Look for ski pants that have a waterproof rating of at least 5,000m for extra comfort.
© Rémi NGuyen Cao
SNACK TIME
Skiing is a physically strenuous activity that requires lots of energy, stamina and concentration. If blood sugar levels drop this can cause a drop body temperature and concentration, leaving you with a cold, uncomfortable and unhappy troop. To keep them at the top of their game and enjoying their lessons, ensure that they have enough to eat and drink before, during and after their ski lesson.
Learning a new activity in the cold weather means that their bodies will need to be fuelled more regularly than back at home.
To keep your little one happy and healthy on the slopes, pop some snacks in their pockets high in carbohydrates and protein, to help their muscles to recover and keep energy levels high. Say yes to high-energy snacks, that can include chocolate bars, cereal bars and dried fruit and nuts.
And ensure they’ve had plenty to drink before their lessons and pop a few euros in their pocket in case we need to stop to warm up around a hot chocolate.
Psst: Our children’s lessons include short snack breaks to ensure that the kids are fed and remain adequately hydrated throughout the day.
So, there we have it. Here’s to the best first day at ski school with Starski.