When skiing learning how to stop is a life saving skill

Teaching Kids How To Stop On Skis

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If you’re planning on teaching your own kids how to ski, we’re here to CHEER YOU ON. We’ve done it over and over again and know that you can too.

While ski school can be really useful at certain times, you don’t need to send your child to ski school to teach them how to stop on skis. In fact, teaching kids to stop in a ski wedge is one of the easiest skills that they’ll learn.

What order should my kids learn ski skills?

Want to figure out the right progression of skills when they’re learning how to ski? Here’s what they need to know to learn to ski well, and the order that they need to learn the top ski skills.

Learn how to put on their own skis

This doesn’t need to be complicated, but show kids how to put the toe of their boot in first, and to push down on their heel so that their binding clicks into place. This can be taught at home or at the ski hill.

How to move around on skis

Before kids ever go down a hill, teach them how to move around on the snow on flat terrain. This doesn’t need to be complex or complicated, but showing them how to shuffle their feet around and glide a little bit will really help them once they learn to go down the ski hill.

How to get up when they fall down

Your back will thank you for teaching your kids to do this early on. When kids fall down, teach them to point their skis sideways across the hill, put both hands right in front of their ski boots (It won’t work as easily if both hands aren’t there), and then push up. This is a skill that can easily be taught in the backyard, or even practiced inside on carpet!

How to stop on skis in a wedge

As soon as your kids are ready to start going down the ski hill, they need to learn how to turn on their skis. Keep reading below for more details on how to teach kids to stop on their skis.

How to turn on skis

Once your kids know how to stop, it’s time to teach them how to turn on their skis. Not only does turing help kids learn to navigate where they are going better, but it also helps them to control their speed. Whenever you’re skiing down the mountain, it should always be in a constant turning motion, like a snake slithering.

Progressing to more difficult terrain

Once kids have learned to stop and turn well on the easiest slope, it’s time to move them onto more difficult terrain. Pick an easy green run, that’s just a little bit longer than the beginning slope for their first big run. Plan on staying on green terrain until they’re REALLY GOOD AT IT! One of the biggest mistakes that parents make when skiing with their kids is to move them onto harder terrain too soon. If kids ski terrain that’s too hard for them, they won’t use proper technique, and can be a danger to themselves and others as well.

Start learning parallel turns

After your kids have mastered green terrain and are getting some confidence on blues, it’s time to teach them how to ski with their skis parallel instead of just in a wedge, and to learn how to hockey stop. These skills can be much harder to teach, so this is the point where I encourage most parents to enlist the help of a good ski instructor.

What is the best way for beginners to learn to stop on skis?

The best way to teach a beginner how to stop on skis is in a wedge shape. The wedge is an easy shape for even young kids to make and it’s a skill that can be quickly mastered. A ski wedge is also referred to as a snowplow stop on skis, though both are the same thing.

How to teach kids to stop in a wedge

The wedge is the easiest way to get kids to stop on skis. We’ve taught our kids to stop in a wedge as young as one-year-old, so it’s really a technique that anyone can learn.

The basic idea of stopping in a wedge is that with pressure on the inside edges of the ski, and with a wide shape on the outside, for greater surface area, the skis will stop. Sound confusing, it’s actually REALLY SIMPLE.

When we’re teaching kids how to stop on skis, we first start out by talking to them about pizza, since that’s a shape that all kids are familiar with. When they stop on skis, their skis should look just like a pizza shape. If their skis are in a little pizza, they’ll slow down just a little bit, but if they make a big pizza with their skis, they’ll stop.

With kids who are a bit older (typically age 5 and up), you can explain this to them and model what you’re talking about, and often they’ll figure out what to do. Kids who are a little bit older like this have better muscle control, so it’s not as difficult for them.

Make sure that their ski tips don’t cross, and that their knees stay a comfortable distance apart. If your child appears to be bowlegged, or knock kneed when they’re trying to stop on skis, help them to find a more comfortable position with their knees in a more relaxed position.

How to teach young kids to stop with an edgie wedgie

If you’re trying to teach really young kids to stop on skis (or have an older kid who just needs a bit more help), use an edgie wedgie to teach them how to stop. (Read all about edgie wedgies HERE)

An edgie wedgie is a little bungee clamp that attaches to kids ski tips and helps keep them together so that they can make a wedge shape. It’s HANDS DOWN the best ski training tool that you can buy for kids and it’s ridiculously affordable.

All you need to do with little kids is to put their edgie wedgie on and tell them to spread their legs apart. With an edgie wedgie on, their skis will instantly move into a wedge shape. It’s incredibly easy AND really effective.

We keep our kids edgie wedgie on until they have the muscle memory well ingrained so they can make the wedge shape all on their own. With really little kids, this might be for a couple of years (our kids start skiing at age one, and usually wear an edgie wedgie until they are 3 or close to 4), while other kids may only need to wear an edgie wedgie for a couple of days, or even a few hours.

As soon as you think your child can make a wedge shape on their own, remove the edgie wedgie.

What equipment do I need to teach kids to stop on skis?

While you may not need any equipment to teach kids how to stop while skiing, there are a lot of helpful ski instruction tools available. When you’re teaching kids to ski, our favorite pieces of equipment are edgie wedgies and ski harnesses.

Both of these tools are really helpful with younger kids, and we keep our kids in a ski harness until they can get on and off the chairlift alone (around age 5-6). Read all about how to use a ski harness before you buy one.

How do you go slower on skis?

The wedge shape that kids learn to help them stop on skis, is also just what they need to know to be able to slow down while skiing. When you make a big wedge with your skis, you stop. When you make a smaller wedge with your skis, you slow down.

You can also control your speed on skis by turning. As you ski down the mountain, you should be constantly turning, which helps to control your speed on skis, and also keeps you more in control!

The easiest way to teach kids to stop on skis is using a wedge shape. This will help them to stop easily and can even be made by very young kids.

An edgie wedgie is a very useful tool for teaching kids how to stop on skis, but not everyone will need one. We recommend edgie wedgies for young kids, under the age of 5, or for older kids who are struggling making a wedge shape on their own.

A snowplow and a wedge or a “pizza” are all the same thing on skis. It’s a giant triangle that you make with your skis by putting the tips close together and pushing the back of the skis out. This shape is used to help you control your speed on skis and to stop.

Kids as young as one can learn to stop on skis. We started 4 of our kids skiing at the age of one, and all of them learned to stop, and most of them could turn at that age. It takes lots of repetition and practice to teach young kids to ski, since they don’t have the same coordination, strength, or ease of muscle memory that older kids and adults have.

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Hi, I’m Jessica, a ski mom of 5 kids

I absolutely love skiing with my kids and I want you to love it to. This is the place for you to learn everything you need to know about skiing with kids. Whether you’re looking for practical tips to teach kids to ski, the best ski gear, or the best places to ski with kids, I’m here to help!

Подготовка к ЕГЭ по английскому языку 11 класс

Раздел 1. Аудирование.

1. Вы услы­ши­те 6 вы­ска­зы­ва­ний. Уста­но­ви­те со­от­вет­ствие между вы­ска­зы­ва­ни­я­ми каж­до­го го­во­ря­ще­го A–F и утвер­жде­ни­я­ми, дан­ны­ми в спис­ке 1–7. Ис­поль­зуй­те каж­дое утвер­жде­ние, обо­зна­чен­ное со­от­вет­ству­ю­щей циф­рой, толь­ко один раз. В за­да­нии есть одно лиш­нее утвер­жде­ние. Вы услы­ши­те за­пись два­жды.

1. When skiing, learning how to stop is a life-saving skill.

2. If you ‘re afraid of the big slopes, stick to the beginner’s slope.

3. It is important to take lessons before you start skiing.

4. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a ski resort besides skiing.

5. Ski resorts always have professionals who can look after people with injuries.

6. Your physical fitness plays a role in successful skiing.

7. Some people just want to look like experienced skiers.

2. Вы услы­ши­те диа­лог. Опре­де­ли­те, какие из при­ведённых утвер­жде­ний А–G со­от­вет­ству­ют со­дер­жа­нию тек­ста (1 – True), какие не со­от­вет­ству­ют (2 – False) и о чём в тек­сте не ска­за­но, то есть на ос­но­ва­нии тек­ста нель­зя дать ни по­ло­жи­тель­но­го, ни от­ри­ца­тель­но­го от­ве­та (3 – Not stated). За­не­си­те номер вы­бран­но­го Вами ва­ри­ан­та от­ве­та в таб­ли­цу. Вы услы­ши­те за­пись два­жды.

A) Eric has still got a lot of packing to do at his house.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

B) Eric and his family will help the movers move things.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

C) Eric is not happy living at his house at the moment.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

D) There’s a bus that stops in front of Leila’s house.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

E) Eric’s new neighbourhood has an efficient bus service.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

F) Leila’s parents haven’t moved in several years.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

G) Eric was pleased to have thrown away lots of stuff.

1) Т rue 2) False 3) Not stated

3. Вы услы­ши­те ре­пор­таж два­жды. В заданиях 3-9 обведите цифру 1,2 или 3, соответствующую выбранному вами варианта ответа. Вы услышите запись дважды.

3. According to David, a hacker can be…

1) anyone who owns a computer.

2) someone who tricks a person out of their password.

3) anyone who works for a computer company.

4. Why does David technically consider himself a hacker?

1) He has broken into computers before.

2) He admires the hacking culture.

3) He is able to build and program computers.

5. The simpler ways that data thieves operate…

1) are well-publicized by the media.

2) are not thought very often.

3) affect thousands of normal people.

6.According to David, writing a computer virus…

1) is more difficult than just asking for password.

2) is easier than trying to get someone to tell you a password.

3) is a guaranteed way of obtaining a password.

7. How do hackers convince an employee to reveal a password?

1) They offer them a financial incentive.

2) They imply that they might get fired if they don’t.

3) They offer to help the employee in some way.

8. What kind of people does David say are vulnerable to fake emails?

1) All kinds of people.

2) Usually just older people.

3) People who are naturally very trusting.

9. David believes that ‘hacktivists’ are…

1) no better than other criminals.

2) valuable members of society.

3) working on behalf of organizations.

Раздел 2. Чтение

10.Установите соответствие между текстами A–G и заголовками 1–8. Занесите свои ответы в таблицу. Используйте каждую цифру только один раз. В задании один заголовок лишний.

1. The House of Commons
2. Parliamentary Procedure
3. The House of Lords
4. Westminster

5. The System of Government
6. Parliamentary Committees
7. Whitehall
8. The Crown

A. Her Majesty’s Government, in spite of its name, derives its authority and power from its party representation in Parliament. Parliament is housed in the Palace of Westminster, once a home of the monarchy. Like the monarchy, Parliament is an ancient institution, dating from the middle of the thirteenth century. Parliament is the seat of British democracy, but it is perhaps valuable to remember that while the House of Lords was created in order to provide a council of the nobility for the king, the Commons were summoned originally in order to provide the king with money.

B. The reigning monarch is not only head of state but symbol of the unity of the nation. The monarchy is Britain’s oldest secular institution, its continuity for over a thousand years broken only once by a republic that lasted a mere eleven years (1649-60). The monarchy is hereditary, the succession passing automatically to the oldest male child, or in the absence of males to the oldest female offspring of the monarch. In law the monarch is head of the executive and of the judiciary, head of the Church of England, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

C. The dynamic power of Parliament lies in its lower chamber. Of its 650 members, 523 represent constituencies in England, 38 in Wales, 72 in Scotland and 17 in Northern Ireland. There are only seats in the Commons debating chamber for 370 members, but except on matters of great interest, it is unusual for all members to be present at any one time. Many MPs find themselves in other rooms of the Commons, participating in a variety of committees and meetings necessary for an effective parliamentary process.

D. Britain is a democracy, yet its people are not, as one might expect in a democracy, constitutionally in control of the state. The constitutional situation is an apparently contradictory one. As a result of a historical process the people of Britain are subjects of the Crown, accepting the Queen as the head of the state. Yet even the Queen is not sovereign in any substantial sense since she receives her authority from Parliament, and is subject to its direction in almost all matters. This curious situation came about as a result of a long struggle for power between the Crown and Parliament during the sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries.

E. Her Majesty’s Government governs in the name of the Queen, and its hub, Downing Street, lies in Whitehall, a short walk from Parliament. Following a general election, the Queen invites the leader of the majority party represented in the Commons, to form a government on her behalf. Government ministers are invariably members of the House of Commons, but infrequently members of the House of Lords are appointed. All government members continue to represent “constituencies” which elected them.

F. Each parliamentary session begins with the “State Opening of Parliament”, a ceremonial occasion in which the Queen proceeds from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster where she delivers the Queen’s Speech from her throne in the House of Lords. Her speech is drafted by her government, and describes what the government intends to implement during the forthcoming session. Leading members of the Commons may hear the speech from the far end of the chamber, but are not allowed to enter the House of Lords.

G. The upper chamber of Parliament is not democratic in any sense at all. It consists of four categories of peer. The majority are hereditary peers, a total of almost 800, but of whom only about half take an active interest in the affairs of the state. A smaller number, between 350 and 400, are “life” peers — an idea introduced in 1958 to elevate to the peerage certain people who rendered political or public service to the nation. The purpose was not only to honour but also to enhance the quality of business done in the Lords.

11 . Про­чи­тай­те текст и за­пол­ни­те про­пус­ки A–F ча­стя­ми пред­ло­же­ний, обо­зна­чен­ны­ми циф­ра­ми 1–7. Одна из ча­стей в спис­ке 1–7 — лиш­няя. За­не­си­те цифры, обо­зна­ча­ю­щие со­от­вет­ству­ю­щие части пред­ло­же­ний, в таб­ли­цу.

Mary sat at the window, looking down at the street. It was Friday evening. People were already leaving their offices and the shops were closing. Soon she would be alone again — as usual. She imagined how these people would spend their evening — in restaurants, bars, dance halls — enjoying themselves. She had never experienced these pleasures in all her twenty-five years on earth. Her mind drifted… A__________., even if it was only once. But she knew it was impossible. She was not pretty; she knew that. She was shy. And she had no money for nice clothes or shoes. All she could afford was the rent on this miserable flat and her daily necessities.

Suddenly the doorbell rang. Nervously she went downstairs to answer it. The young man on the doorstep told her he had some important news for her. She felt uneasy B________., that she asked him in. She made him coffee while he explained that he was a lawyer. Her uncle, C_______., had died. He had left her all his money in his will. The young man’s name was Harry. He left her flat early the next morning. Harry helped her to deal with all the legal papers. He arranged for her to buy the luxury flat in Bayswater. He entertained her. They went to restaurants, West End theatres, concerts, even to wild parties. Three months later they were married and moved to the big house he had made her buy in Hamstead. For a while D__________.. Then Harry changed. He came back late. They went out together less often. Sometimes the phone would ring and unknown female voice would ask for Harry. When she asked him what was wrong, he would fly into a rage and leave the house.

One afternoon, the police came round. It seemed E.___________. The weeks which followed were a nightmare. She sold the flat in Bayswater to pay for a lawyer. When he was found guilty, she sold the house in Hampstead. She moved back into the small flat in Hove. Her adventure was over.

For twenty years she had waited. Before Harry’s release from prison she bought two air tickets to take them away for a holiday. On a damp, grey morning she stood opposite the prison gate. Harry emerged into freedom F.__________. A blonde lady, in a fur coat, was seated at the wheel. Harry jumped in beside the lady and gave her a resounding kiss. The car disappeared round the corner.

Mary took out the air tickets and slowly tore them into small pieces

1. she was blissfully happy

2. if only someone would invite her out

3. and started across the street to a red sports car

4. but he looked so honest and so handsome

5. she was very embarrassed

6. who had emigrated to Australia years before

7. Harry was involved in a bank fraud

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания 12-18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1,2,3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному вами варианту ответа.

Llandudno is truly a fine and handsome place, built on a generously proportioned bay and lined along its broad front with a huddle of prim but gracious nineteenth-century hotels that reminded me in the fading light of a lineup of Victorian nannies. Llandudno was purpose-built as a resort in the mid-1800s, and it cultivates a nice old-fashioned air. I don’t suppose that Lewis Carroll, who famously strolled this front with little Alice Liddell in the 1860s, would notice a great deal of change today.

To my consternation, the town was packed with weekending pensioners. Buses from all over were parked along the side streets, every hotel I called at was full, and in every dining room I could see crowds – veritable oceans – of nodding white heads spooning soup and conversing happily. Goodness knows what had brought them to the Welsh seaside at this bleak time of year.

Farther on along the front there stood a clutch of guesthouses, large and virtually indistinguishable, and a few of them had vacancy signs in their windows. I had eight or ten to choose from, which always puts me in a mild fret because I have an unerring instinct for choosing badly. My wife can survey a row of guesthouses and instantly identify the one run by a white-haired widow with a fondness for children, and sparkling bathroom facilities, whereas I can generally count on choosing the one run by a guy with a grasping manner, and the sort of cough that makes you wonder where he puts the phlegm. Such, I felt, would be the case tonight.

All the guesthouses had boards out front listing their many amenities – COLOUR TV, HOSPITALITY TRAYS, FULL CENTRAL HEATING, and the coyly euphemistic EN SUITE ALL ROOMS, meaning private bathrooms. One place offered satellite TV and a trouser press, and another boasted CURRENT FIRE CERTIFICATE – something I had never thought to look for in a B&B. All this heightened my sense of unease and doom. How could I possibly choose intelligently among such a variety of options?

I selected a place that looked reasonable enough from the outside – its board promised a color TV and coffee making facilities, about all I require these days for a Saturday night – but from the moment I set foot in the door I knew it was a bad choice. I was about to turn and flee when the owner emerged from a back room and stopped my retreat with an unenthusiastic “Yes?” A short conversation revealed that a single room with breakfast was for £19.50. It was entirely out of the question that I would stay the night in such a dismal place at such an exorbitant price, so I said, “That sounds fine,” and signed in. Well, it’s so hard to say no.

My room was everything I expected it to be – cold and cheerless with laminated furniture, grubbily matted carpet, and those mysterious ceiling stains that bring to mind a neglected corpse in the room above. There was a tray of coffee things but the cups were disgusting, and the spoon was stuck to the tray. The bathroom, faintly illuminated by a distant light activated by a length of string, had curling floor tiles and years of accumulated dirt packed into every corner. I peered at the yellowy tile around the bath and sink and realized what the landlord did with his phlegm. A bath was out of the question, so I threw some cold water on my face, dried it with a towel that had the texture of shredded wheat, and gladly took my leave.

A12. Llandudno is described as a
1) fashionable 19th century resort.

2) beautiful growing resort.

3) place where Lewis Carroll lived.

4) place famous for its comfortable hotels.

A13. The phrase “veritable oceans” in paragraph 2 refers to
1) hotel dining rooms.

2) hotel guests wearing white hats.

3) old people dining in cafes.

4) buses crowded with old Welsh people.

A14. When choosing a guesthouse the narrator was worried because he
1) wasn’t good at making the right choice.

2) could not find a place run by a kind old widow.

3) did not know what to look for.

4) missed his wife for help.

A15. The narrator thought that the choice of a guesthouse used to be easier because
1) all hotels had a private bathroom.

2) there were fewer options on offer.

3) there were fewer guest houses.

4) they were all of B&B type.

A16. Why did the narrator agree to the room?
1) He felt sorry for the landlord.

2) He could not refuse the offer.

3) It was really cheap.

4) There was a TV and a coffee maker.

A17. Why was the bath out of the question?
1) The water was too cold.

2) There was no hot water.

3) The bathtub was dirty.

4) There was no light.

A18. What is the narrator’s attitude towards the room he stayed in?
1) Surprised.

Раздел 3. Грамматика и лексика.

напечатанные заглавными буквами и обозначенные номерами 19-25, так, чтобы они грамматически соответствовали содержанию текстов. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию из группы 19-25.

Like the television set before it, the video game console is now 19__________TAKE over living rooms in the US. Americans spend 20_________MONEY on video games than on movies and nearly half the country plays. The first video game, Pong, 21__________INVENT in 1972. Since then, video games 22___________BECOME ‘the major cultural activity of the generation aged 30 and below’, according to James Paul Gee, a professor of education. ‘They have the same importance to this generation that movies had for 23____________EARLY generations’, he says. ‘Even 24_____________THAT children who can’t understand the lessons they are taught in their schools can discuss the stories in video games at a very sophisticated level’, he says. But in some 25_________PEOPLE opinion, many of the games are much too violent and they have a bad effect on the brain.

Прочитайте приведенный ниже текст. Образуйте от слов, напечатанных заглавными буквами и обозначенных номерами 26-31, однокоренные слова так, чтобы они грамматически и лексически соответствовали содержанию текста. Заполните пропуски полученными словами. Каждый пропуск соответствует отдельному заданию из группы 26-31.

Waste Management

healthy environment for our own health and 26 ________ HAPPY.

The waste we create has to be 27 _________ CAREFUL controlled to be sure that it does not harm our environment and our health. So 28_________ EFFECT waste management is very important. Waste reduction and recycling have a wide range of environmental benefits and promote public awareness and personal 29 _______ RESPONSIBLE for the waste we create. The best place to start making a 30 ___________ DIFFER is our home. Learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle materials to decrease household waste. If we recycle what we can’t use any more, we save resources because the 31_ ________ RECYCLE materials replace some of the natural resources including water and energy, which we use to make new products.

Прочитайте текст с пропусками, обозначенными номерами 32–38. Эти номера соответствуют заданиям 32–38, в которых представлены возможные варианты ответов. Запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Charity

A lot of people in our world have little or no money at all. Many of them are homeless and can’t enjoy what most of us take for 32______. They need our help and there are a lot of charity organizations to help poor people. Because of charities many homeless people have shelters, hungry children have been fed, a lot of diseases have already been 33______ and many animals are safe.

Around the world there are a lot of children who suffer from different diseases, running 34______ time and hope. The biggest charity project in Russia is ‘Contribution to the Future’ whose goal is to help any child in need. Its programmes help poor, homeless and disabled children.

There are a lot of people in the world who have chosen charity as their main mission in life. One of the most famous missionaries was Mother Teresa. She lived the hard life of the poor alongside them; she knew how it felt sleeping on hard floors and living on dirty streets. And because she was experiencing 35 ______ what the people she was helping were going through, she so effectively knew how to give. Besides meeting people’s basic physical needs by giving them food and medicine, she met people’s emotional needs as well.

A lot of rich people also feel the necessity to help the poor. For example, Bill Gates is a famous billionaire, but he is also a noted philanthropist who donated the proceeds of his successful books to 36______ educational organizations. He has also given mil lions to initiatives in global health and learning, hoping to 37______ more and more people to have access to A38______ facilities in these areas. A good example is the opening of ‘The School of the Future’ in Philadelphia, sponsored by his company ‘Microsoft’.

The spirit of philanthropy is not about what or how much you give but rather about the feeling that you are helping others in need.

The Best Way to Teach Toddlers to Ski

This post may contain affiliate links where we earn from qualifying purchases. As an amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Find out more in our disclosure.

Welcome to our ski school series. Our goal here is to teach you a few of the essentials you’ll need to know to teach your own kids to ski. In this article we’re going to show you

The best way to teach toddlers to ski

Yes, it’s true, you can teach your own kids to ski, and we’re here to show you what you need to do.

We’ve adopted the philosophy that getting out kids out on skis as soon as possible is the best option for us…so all five of our kids have been skiing around age 18 months! Naturally, one of the questions we are asked most is “how do you teach toddlers to ski”.

No, we’re not crazy competitive parents who are trying to force an olympic ski career on our 1 year old skiing toddler who can barely walk, actually just the opposite – we are parents who loathe being stuck in the lodge when great snow is just out the door.

Can a one-year-old really learn how to ski? Yes, but only a little (we’ve had an 18 month old skiing with us many times – 4 of our kids learned to ski at age 1). What they can learn are things like balancing on skis and the earlier that you get them out on the snow, the more comfortable they will be with the idea later on.

At the end of the day, being on the bunny hill sure beats being in the lodge and is a great way to get kids really excited about skiing for the next season when you’re teaching a 2 year old how to ski and they can actually figure a few things out (yes, all of our kids could stop and turn independently when they were 2 since we started teaching them like this).

Here, we’re sharing our secrets for teaching your own kids to ski!

Gear to set kids up for success

We are firm believers that if you want kids to love being outdoors, you need to give them good gear, ESPECIALLY in winter. If your kids have a cheap coat, or crappy gloves, you can probably cut your outdoor time in half, especially on the ski hill. Also, it’s important that kids have good socks and baselayers (NEVER COTTON), so that they can stay warm and regulate their body heat well. We’ve been teaching our own kids to ski for 11 years (and probably hundreds before that as we were both ski instructors), and here is the best gear that we think is worth investing in.

The Best Wool Socks for Kids (with a lifetime warranty)
Best Base Layers For Kids
Best Waterproof Coats for Kids
Best Waterproof Gloves and Mittens for Kids and Toddlers

This is the gear that we use over and over again for our 5 kids. It’s gear that keeps them comfortable, dry, and lasts to be passed down again and again. In fact, in the long run, we’ve saved money by buying better quality gear since we rarely have to replace it.

Best Ski Gear for Kids

First of all, make sure that you get an Edgie Wedgie, and also a ski harness.

Neither one of these are very expensive, but after teaching all 5 of our own kids to ski and hundreds of other kids when we were ski instructors (yes, that was each of our jobs in college), we’ve learned that these are the best tools you can buy.)

Note: Most parents end up using a ski harness incorrectly! We’ve written all about how to use a ski harness the right way.

Next, you’ll need to get some skis and boots. The toddler skis that your child uses don’t really matter, but the length does. Shorter is easier and for beginners, I suggest getting a ski that’s around shoulder height (with toddlers you sometimes have to go bigger – all my kids learned to ski on a 78cm ski because that’s what we had and it worked great). Skis for a one year old and skis for a four year old, might all be the same length, but with toddler skis and at this age, it’s okay. For older kids, read this article about choosing the best size of kids ski equipment.

Choosing good ski boots for kids is hugely important and I can’t say enough good things about Roces Adjustable ski boots. They’re super affordable and will last your child though 6 sizes without sacrificing performance. Read our full review on Roces adjustable boots here.

Hot Cocoa will save you!

Our magic ratio when skiing with young kids has been 2 parts hot chocolate to 1 part skiing. That gives them plenty of rest time, and also plenty of time to get excited about getting back on the mountain.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune on resort hot chocolate, carry an insulated bottle (this bottle has NEVER leaked on us), and bring your own. Also, if you haven’t tried this hot cocoa, it really might change your life.

Realistic Expectations When Teaching Kids to Ski

Like I mentioned before, the first season of skiing with a toddler (especially a 1-year-old) can easily produce no real skills at the end of it. If you wan to teach a toddler how to ski, your goal is to get a kid who WANTS to ski, and hopefully ski a lot! What can toddlers learn on skis?

The most important ski skill is balance.

Yes, I know it sounds simple, but balance is really hard when skiing with toddlers and good balance will set the stage for a lifetime of good skiing habits. We talk all about how to promote good balance when skiing with kids below.

Teach kids to focus while they’re skiing

Skiing presents an entirely new set of distractions so getting your child to focus and look where they need to is huge. Outside of those things, I consider anything else learned a bonus.

Can a 1-year-old learn to ski? Absolutely! This video is of our youngest skiing at age 1. I want to preface this by saying that of all our 5 kids, he has progressed the most quickly, but I’m sharing it so that you can see what’s possible.

Can a 2 year old learn to ski? Absolutely, and we’ll show you the best way to teach a 2 year old how to ski with our technique below.

Make skiing FUN

Your job as a parent is to keep skiing fun. As soon as it stops being fun, it’s time to take a break. Whether that’s going in for some hot cocoa, eating a snack, or sometimes you just have to call it a day early and come back when everyone’s in a better mood.

We always carry these treats in our pocket and pass them out to the kids on the chairlift. Never ski without small snacks to share with your kids – it will amaze you at what your kids are able to do if there’s a candy reward involved.

What you need to know before you try and teach your own kids to ski

Now before I begin showing you how we teach a toddler to ski, note that this technique should only be used by people who are VERY comfortable skiing on their own. You will spend almost all of your time skiing backwards, so you need to be pretty good at that and also have a good awareness of the mountain (while skiing backwards 🙂 and fast reaction time.

Also, it’s important to remember that kids will fall A LOT when they’re learning how to ski. You can teach them how to get up on skis, but having a ski harness on your kids will be invaluable. We have our youngest always ski with this harness because it has a big handle at the back, which has saved my back after a long day on the hill. It also makes it so much easier to put them onto the lift if you can just pull them up by the handle. Check out this review of the best ski harnesses for kids to pick the right child ski harness.

Here’s how we teach toddlers and young kids to ski:

Although you might not have seen other parents using this technique to teach kids to ski, we’ve found it to be the most effective. We’ve used it most successfully to teach a 1 year old to ski, teach a 2 year old to ski, and teach a 3 year old to ski. It works best with kids who are 4 years old or younger (sometimes a small 5-year-old) because bigger kids make it really difficult to ski backwards like this. This technique is pretty simple and takes the guesswork out of how to ski with a toddler.

1. Start skiing in a backwards wedge

This will be your position for the entire time you’re teaching toddlers to ski using this ski school technique for toddlers skiing.

2. Have your child straddle your skis

Your goal is to have their edgie wedgie pressing up against your boot or binding like shown in the picture below. With their edgie wedgie pressed up against your binding, you are in total control of their speed and where they go. This set up is especially good for toddlers because they are close enough to you that they don’t get nervous or afraid, but they’re not so close that they can grab onto you. Remember, our goal is to teach them how to balance and to focus, so this is the perfect position to ski with kids. Learn all about the pros and cons of edgie wedgie use!

3. Ski backwards making S-turns

You do this so that your child gets a feel for what they should be doing on the hill. Since their edgie wedgie is pressed up against your binding, they will go where you go. Do this from the very beginning so that your kids learn that you turn whenever you are skiing, which is one of the most important habits kids can develop on skis.

Why is this a good way to teach kids to ski?

Mostly because it forces the child to balance on their skis and makes skiing for toddlers much easier. They have to stand up all by themselves as they get used to the feel and movement of their skis. It shows them what it feels like to turn and change direction as well. Also, because you are right in front of them, it not only helps them feel safe and secure, but blocks out a lot of distractions, teaching them that when they ski, they need to look at Mom or Dad (trust me, that’s a lifesaver down the road).

As you child gets older and increases in confidence, this is also a great way to teach them to stop in a safe and controlled way (read more on getting your kids to STOP here). Since their edgie wedgie is just pushed up against your binding, if they stop their skis on their own, they really will stop even if you keep going!

Most of all your goal is to make skiing fun for kids. If it stops being fun, it’s time to stop skiing. Remember that the goal of skiing with kids is to build kids who love skiing for LIFE, and that takes time. On the opposite side, it only takes a couple of bad experiences to make your kids HATE skiing, so keep it FUN.

Also, set realistic time goals. No toddler can ski for a whole day or likely even a whole morning. If they make it an hour, awesome! 2? Incredible! 30 minutes? No big deal!

Our magic ratio has been 1 part skiing to 2 parts hot chocolate drinking…yes that’s a lot of hot chocolate.

Are you going to be spending a ton of time on the slopes with a toddler? NO, we talked about that earlier! But it sure beats being stuck in the lodge, or worse, being stuck at home!

Looking for more positions to teach your kids to ski in? Check out this awesome list here.

Advantages to teaching kids to ski at a young age

You might be wondering at this point if it’s even worth teaching a toddler or young kids how to ski. It absolutely is. Although it does take longer for kids to learn when they are really young, we’ve found that once they hit about age 3, their progress really takes off so much faster than all their peers.

Worst way to teach kids to ski (what NOT to do):

If you’re not going to teach your kids to ski correctly, then you should put them in ski school vs teaching them yourself (and the technique above is just one of the many ways you can teach your kids skiing).

Here’s what not to do when teaching kids to ski

Skiing with kids requires an incredible amount of patience. If you’re unsure if you should teach your own kids to ski or go to ski school, I’d recommend talking to the ski school you’re interested in. Personally, I think that a combination of ski school and skiing with parents is a good fit for most people.

Nee d help deciding if ski school is right for you? Read our article on Putting Your Kids in Ski School vs Teaching Them Yourself.

11 life-saving skills everyone should know

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In the case of a medical emergency, it’s easy to assume someone else will step up to the plate and help the person in distress. Unfortunately, this isn’t always what happens — and knowing how to respond to emergencies safely and effectively can be critical in ensuring someone’s survival.

Of course, the following information should not be considered a substitute for proper certifications, classes, or hands-on training. And no matter what kind of dire medical situation you’re dealing with, it’s wise to contact your local emergency medical services.

Here are some skills worth familiarizing yourself with so you’ll be equipped to take action when emergency medical situations happen.

As simple as it is, knowing how and when to call for emergency medical assistance is incredibly important

Any time you’re responding to an emergency medical situation, it’s important that you call your local emergency medical services (EMS) immediately, said Jarman.

In addition, calling EMS typically does far more than just send paramedics to the scene of the event. For example, Jarman noted that many dispatchers trained to give people instructions over the phone on how to administer CPR, give people life-saving drugs, and handle other emergencies.

And if you are unable to make the call yourself, you should immediately yell out to ensure someone else does.

Properly performing CPR can save someone’s life

CPR (short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation ) is a well-known emergency technique that’s used to help someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition is when the heart suddenly stops beating. Unfortunately, cardiac arrest can cause brain damage or even death within minutes if a person doesn’t receive immediate help.

«If [you] see someone collapse on the ground and they’re unresponsive and they don’t have a pulse, you should absolutely start CPR, [because] that may save someone’s life,» Jarman told INSIDER.

Performing hands-on CPR on someone involves manually compressing the chest to pump blood to vital organs even though the heart has stopped, said Jarman.

Contrary to what you’ve seen on TV, effective CPR doesn’t require mouth-to-mouth (rescue breaths) and instead prioritizes consistent, repeated chest compressions. She said that the American Heart Association guidelines for CPR are «CAB» which stands for » circulation (compressions), airway, breathing.»

«If you’re one person and you respond to an unresponsive cardiac arrest, your priority is chest compressions. While you can provide rescue breaths, the most important thing is circulating blood. And the reason is that as you circulate blood, there’s some passive air exchange that happens in the lungs,» she explained.

Still, Jarman said there are some key things every person should know about CPR.

For more information about CPR, you can also take a class or refer to page 10 of The American Heart Association’s CPR guidelines.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke can help someone receive someone life-saving care on time

The tricky part about identifying conditions like a stroke is that symptoms can be subtle and can vary from person to person. Some common, visible signs that someone may be having a stroke include a droopy face on one side, difficulty speaking, trouble seeing, sudden numbness or weakness of the face, and trouble walking.

Per the CDC, referring to the acronym «FAST» (Face, Arms, Speech, and Time) can help you assess whether someone you know might be suffering from a stroke so you can get them the care they need.

The «FAST» test calls you to examine a person’s face for droopiness, ask them to raise both arms so you can see if one is lower than the other, and ask the person to repeat a phrase for you to see if their speech is slurred or slow.

If you suspect someone near you is experiencing a stroke, call for emergency help immediately. This is critical because a person’s survival rate during a stroke oftentimes depends on how quickly they receive medical attention, per the CDC.

Using an AED can potentially help a person’s heart before emergency services have the chance to arrive

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a machine that applies an electric shock to the heart to bring it back to a normal rhythm. AEDs consist of two wired pads that get placed directly on a person’s bare chest and a portable box that detects the heart’s rhythm.

«An AED is basically a less complex version of what we use during a cardiac arrest in the hospital,» said Jarman.

Notably, you always make sure the person is unresponsive by checking for a lack of pulse before attempting to use an AED on them. And of course, you’ll want to try to contact EMS first.

Fortunately, AEDs are immediately ready-to-use and equipped with voice instructions that tell you exactly what to do.

She continued, «When you have a cardiac arrest, you can either have a shockable rhythm or a non-shockable rhythm. The electric pads in the AED can sense whether you’re dealing with a shockable rhythm or not and if you are it will advise you to give a shock to that person.»

Although you don’t need certification to use an AED, the American Heart Association recommends you seek training to help you feel more confident with using them.

Like fire extinguishers, AEDs are oftentimes found in the majority of public spaces like libraries, movie theaters, and restaurants. And, in some areas, apps like Pulse Point can help you find the AED that is nearest to your location.

The Heimlich maneuver is an effective technique used to stop someone from choking to death

The Heimlich maneuver is a well-recognized method used to dislodge food or other foreign objects that get stuck in a person’s windpipe.

You should call EMS and perform the Heimlich on someone if you notice they are choking and cannot talk. Not being able to speak indicates that their windpipe is likely blocked and that they cannot breathe.

Other signs of choking include the universal distress signal (covering the throat with the hands), turning blue, and gasping for air.

The Heimlich maneuver consists of wrapping your arms around someone from behind and clasping your hands together. Next, you administer multiple upward thrusts toward the person’s belly button until the object comes out of their mouth.

Likewise, if someone has already gone unconscious from lack of oxygen, you should immediately lie them on their back, and tilt the head to better open their airway. You should then start giving them CPR to keep their blood flowing until EMS help arrives.

In any case, responding to a choking victim in a timely manner is critical. According to the National Institute of Health, one only needs to go about four minutes without oxygen before their brain begins to suffer damage or they die.

Knowing how to respond to someone who is having a severe allergic reaction can prevent death from anaphylaxis

People with severe allergies to foods are at risk of experiencing a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Jarman told INSIDER, «People who experience anaphylaxis will often have urticaria (hives) and they may have facial swelling or voice changes. They may be vomiting. And then eventually they often describe [feeling] their throat closing and [having] difficulty breathing. They also may become unconscious due to respiratory failure or shock.»

Fortunately, a t imely injection of the drug epinephrine can potentially save someone from fatal consequences caused by anaphylaxis.

However, Jarman advises that you should try to call EMS before giving someone a shot from an epinephrine autoinjector as it may not always be the best option for those with heart disease or other injuries.

Of course, if you or someone you know has a known anaphylactic allergy and have clear markers for anaphylactic shock (like being rendered unconscious), Jarman said you should absolutely administer the medication.

Generally, administering the drug will depend on which brand you have available to you, though most autoinjectors require you remove a safety cap and firmly press a red- or orange-colored tip into the patient’s outer thigh. But always be sure to read the instructions on the injection you have at hand before administering it. Notably, different injectors require you to wait different amounts of times before removing them from the patient’s thigh.

In addition, after an epinephrine autoinjector is administered, it is recommended that the patient receive a medical evaluation as soon as possible. And if you accidentally prick yourself with the autoinjector, you’ll want to immediately seek medical assistance.

You can possibly save a life by knowing how to help open someone’s airway when their breathing has been compromised

During many life-threatening medical emergencies, people aren’t breathing properly, which means they aren’t getting an adequate amount of oxygen into their lungs. Should this situation arise, you may be able to help by performing a few specific maneuvers that may help increase the flow of oxygen in that person’s body.

One way to go about this is to turn someone on their side, said Jarman. In addition, specific maneuvers like the » head tilt-chin lift» can be beneficial. You can do this by pushing back on the person’s forehead while gently pulling their chin upwards. This can help prevent their tongue and other soft tissues from blocking their airway, per the ACLS Certification Institute.

In many cases, you may be able to stop severe bleeding with the right amount of pressure

Any time someone has a serious cut or another traumatic injury that won’t stop bleeding, they’re at an increased risk for hypovolemic shock. This is a life-threatening condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood through one’s body.

«Direct pressure is the answer to the vast, majority of wounds,» said Jarman. S he said most people can easily generate enough pressure with just one hand or their body weight. This pressure should be applied firmly and continuously to help the bleeding stop.

Also, if you can elevate the wound above the heart (for example, if someone’s arm has been wounded, lift it above their chest, closer to their head) that may be beneficial, but the most important factor in stopping the bleeding is keeping that pressure constant.

The US government’s Stop the Bleed campaign also provides additional resources for people who are interested in learning more about how to aid injured people, particularly during unexpected traumatic events like mass shootings.

Familiarizing yourself with basic first aid can prevent the spread of potentially deadly infections

Per CDC guidelines, always wash your hands with soap and water before attempting to treat your own or somebody else’s wounds. You should also clean all wounds thoroughly of debris with clean water and a saline solution or antibiotic cream if you have access to such.

In addition, individuals should seek immediate medical attention for any infections, including wounds that cause them redness, swelling, shortness of breath, confusion, disorientation, or other unusual symptoms.

Understanding how to care for someone who is experiencing a seizure can prevent them from getting injured or choking

Sometimes it can be alarming to watch someone experience a seizure, especially if the convulsions are violent. But, as a bystander, you should avoid trying to restrain them. Doing so could potentially injure yourself or the person having a seizure.

That said, someone who is experiencing a seizure has a high risk of choking.

«When a person is seizing, they’re generally not breathing, and so lots of times those patients become cyanotic (turn blue). It is important to get someone on their side because if they vomit while they’re lying back, they’re going to aspirate that into their lungs,» said Jarman.

Aspiration is the medical term for accidentally inhaling things, like food or vomit, into the windpipe. Placing someone on their side makes it less likely that they’ll inhale the foreign objects during the seizure.

The CDC also advises that you place a soft object, like a jacket or pillow, under the person’s head, remove any sharp and dangerous objects from the area around them.

As Jarman told INSIDER, «The vast majority of seizures will stop on their own with no intervention.» But you should make a note of how long the seizure lasts so you can later provide that information to medical personnel or the person who is seizing.

Notably, the CDC states that most seizures do not require medical attention. But EMS should be contacted if the person seizing has never experienced seizures before, they have difficulty breathing following the seizure, they experience multiple seizures in a short period of time, the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if the person has injured themselves during the seizure.

You may want to know how to administer naloxone to a person who is experiencing an overdose

Research has found that the drug naloxone can be effective in reversing the effects of opioid overdose so being aware of when and how to administer this drug may be critical in ensuring a person’s survival.

«If you find any person who is unresponsive and you suspect an overdose, I would absolutely say give them [naloxone]» said Jarman. She said it is a fairly safe medication with minimal side effects.

Signs of an opioid overdose include a limp body, shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, pale skin, slowed heart rate, and unresponsiveness. As always, you should call EMS if you encounter someone who shows any of these signs, regardless of whether you have naloxone on hand or not.

Jarman added that people should be aware that this drug comes in three forms and the most common one is intranasal, meaning it’s a sort of nasal spray that you squeeze into one’s nose.

After giving someone a dose of naloxone, you should follow other life-saving protocols like turning that person on their side to open their airway. And, importantly, monitor the person’s condition until EMS arrives.

It’s important to remember naloxone is not effective against treating overdoses caused by non-opioid substances, like cocaine, methamphetamines, or alcohol. For these types of overdoses, calling EMS and then following the protocol for basic life support is typically the most effective way to respond.

Knowing when to stop skiing and snowboarding to save yourself

I’m tired. Scratch that. Exhausted. So exhausted my bones are crying. Not just my bones either, I literally sobbed into a drip filter coffee at breakfast this morning (though to be fair most Australians sob when presented with American style filter coffee) and ate my own tears that fell on my eggs Benedict.

Tired and emotional and exhausted. That’s me. If I was a kid I’d just take a nap with a mug of warm milk and wake with sleet in my squishy eyes, my thumb in my mouth and a blankie in my spare hand.

Travel can do that to you, exhaustion. Add work commitments while on the road and you can go from hero to zero in a millisecond. Though, I know to expect no sympathy from you, dear reader, as work for me sometimes involves days of skiing powder and that brings yet a whole other level of physical fatigue and lack of sympathy.

Skiing and snowboarding when tired can be a recipe for disaster. It is, in these moments, important not just to listen to your body but to respect it. When it’s time to go in, it’s time to go in.

But so many of us don’t listen, fight through, fuel our egos or bend to peer pressure or are driven by a desire for vertical. Then we finish our holidays in need of another one, or worse, in need of physical therapy for the injuries we sustained while not listening to our bodies.

On any given day, on any given hour, any or all of us can be a rockstar skier, in the zone, riding with the flow, making ourselves look good.

Then on any other day, on any other hour, we can be snow plowing down the hill like a beginner with dyslexic legs who go right when you ask them to go left. Skiing is like life, it ebbs and flows and few of us can be on point every hour or every day or every week of every month of every year.

It is hard for our egos to accept. Mine, especially.

When I first took up skiing late in life I got a kick out of skiing with new folk who marveled at my ability to get myself down a hill with such, style, grace and panache, with such limited years on snow under my belt. At least that’s what I thought they marveled at, looking back at pics I realise it was my gaper gap, ski pants tucked into my boots and all sorts of Jerry paraphernalia.

Then time took it’s toll and age hit, then a flock of kilos shat upon my torso and stuck to my thighs, arse and middle and I found myself skiing with the equivalent of a small child upon my hips (despite being childless). Work got busy, the gym didn’t and fitness was the first sacrifice.

A two month altitude fitness training program pre season helped, but you’re not really ski fit until you ski. Add some niggling injuries and fear that crept in upon the slopes after a traumatic experience skiing with an instructor who fell and broke his neck and died in front of me and, well, let’s just say that some ski days are better than others.

Which is how I found myself kicking myself on the top of Taynton Bowl in Panorama in British Columbia with a level 4 ski instructor, a snow reporter and a long time local. Taynton Bowl is accessed via a cat and is 750 acres of backcountry style off piste terrain within the resort boundary.

It rocks. Steeper pitches, untouched snow, gladed trees, open bowls, whatever is your joy. I love this style of terrain, love it.

Only my legs didn’t love it that day and I caved.

While the three blokes ate the terrain for breakfast for my camera, I couldn’t link two turns together if I tried. My ego took a battering as I had already placed the Level 4 Canadian instructor on a pedestal (because, level 4) and had clearly left the other two unimpressed with my tragic off piste ski ability. On that day.

I longed to show them footage of my younger, thinner, well rested self skiing like a goddess on similar (if not harder) terrain on my iPhone. But I didn’t. Because that would make me a wanker.

When we hit a patch of rotten snow, I caved again and started offering excuses, my pants were new and not yet broken in, my ski boots were packing out, my hair was in my eyes, my bra was undone, though really I just had panic rising as I feared injury in the crud. It was not my day and my thighs were far from my own, tired from heli skiing the day before (yes, I know, wanker, again).

And there lies the problem. Every day is not your day, especially as age takes it’s toll. Some days are better than others and this day was not mine.

Ten days later after a week of skiing and another deep backcountry powder day (that I skied like a boss, again, hearsay) I attempted to cat ski with Big Red Cats at Red Mountain near Rossland. This time I was prepared. I knew my legs were shot, I knew I would hit a fatigue limit and I knew at that time I would need to sit out a run.

Five runs in and my legs were simply not taking direction, yet even with sitting out a run to give my legs time to recover I still struggled on the eleventh and last run of the day which featured tight trees, then an open glade then a narrower steeper chute and then an open bowl. I was already in the run when I realised my legs were rebelling.

So I chose to side slip the chute, knowing I’d get down safely and knowing if I had chosen to ski it that my legs may give way.

As a result of my ‘ski adulting’, I live to ski another day. A good day, a bad day, my day or not my day, but another day.

Sometimes you just need to give yourself a break, not care what others think and put that ego away, know when to stop and go in or end up broken and sobbing into your filter coffee.