In this article, the definition of "children" includes the age of 3 years, because at this age, many kids stand on the skis, and up to 14 - 15 years because this age they are sometimes faster - by weight and size -- adults. And the second: we are not here to discuss issues of training and exercises downhill skiing as a sport. It was only on vacation. 

At what age? 

  Often you can hear the question, what age you can put a child on skis. This question can be dictated by the fact that the kid simply does not leave with anyone. But in recent years have increasingly parents want to share with his young moments of joy, which they themselves are experiencing, relaxing in the mountains. In any case - where to start? Once at the target vykate am Zee, we watched as Mother and Dad ski the Child, to which tiny ski botinochki cent above the knees. In the mouth the skiing stick "comforter" ... The Pope raised his armpit up, put on snow and release, he slides down - into the arms of a smiling mother. Tested whether the man is the joy of sliding? Not likely. But the fact that his parents happy, young and very comfortable - it can be clearly seen. The family was in the mountains, but there is often a fact and is the most important. The conclusion is simple: the child can be put on the ski so early, how much like his parents. Just be aware all the restrictions that imposes on you that lesson, that's all. 

  Many of our friends started to put children on skis at the different ages, ranging from incomplete two years. Of course, there is little rucksack, in which the baby can be a drive behind his back and even earlier. But agree, it's not quite skiing ... Put on skis - this shoe it botinochki, snap fastening and svozit downhill. Overall opinion: to freedom of skating with a baby up to 2.5 - 3 years, rely simply do not have, such a young age range on a slope requires a lot of parents and patience, as well as constant monitoring of temperature nose, fingers on the hands and other ritual gesture. 

You can count on the fact that around the age of three young skiing itself to cope with a small and very flat slope. Baby come with such a slope in a straight, not accumulating a dangerous or frightening speed. If you can teach your children, you start with the direct trips, with stops at vykate. For the first independent slopes quite enough sklonchika very small, but will have to work a lift: get the rope tied to it with a similar cross bow with a stick and "harness", otherwise the risk of skiing completed after the first descent: trying to climb their own ends fall and get up without assistance of parents is not easy. If you tend to - start with the bottom of ending long vykatom on which skis stop themselves. Keep in mind that, until 4-5 years old children do not know how to put skis across the slope to slow down or not to fall, especially the back. On the long slope to the top of separate slopes could be svezti child riding on its neck or between his legs - causing a storm of such descents admiration even among the most physically and nesmelyh nekrepkih calves. 

Privyknuv slip straight young skiing safely make turns, but only if you want. Children of kindergarten age are not worth explaining, as is the case, it is better to think of the game, which must be rotated. Help baby to learn a small change of direction, podbadrivaya him and hinting that he looked to the side, which wants to go. Surprisingly, wearing skis turn themselves. By the way - this method is effective with children much older than the age of 10 - 12 years, first raised on skis. To start - a turn at vykate to stop. Then - bypassing obstacles (snow ball, sticks stuck facing my mother) and stopping at vykate, then rotate the two ... At the initial stage for the development of children is extremely important to the two main methods: plow to stop the ski and parallel to traffic. These methods should be explained with the help of the most vivid, the images available to the child. In the west, instructors are using the familiar to every young skiers comparisons, such as a piece of pizza and potato fries from McDonalds. We might make sense to choose some more close-child association. Of course, if he was in the "macaque" and pizza, do not need to invent. Otherwise - use imagination: perhaps you need to remember Grandmother's cake, a cake for his birthday, racer sledges, or something else. Children are wonderfully self-and simple tips to them very well help. "I think that standing on the sides of their feet - at first on both the left and then on both the right" ... - This is a simple tip to any young, and the effect of using this simple traffic on Carvin is like magic. Simultaneous production of the skis on edge (unless the skis are not too long, but more on that - just below) and lead to the parallel turn, and almost instantly! 

Do not think that if you are used to carry out on the slope часика four, your son or daughter will be able to repeat this feat. Carefully look at what makes the man, it is interesting to him or not, is not tired of it not frozen there. There is desirable most sensitive "coach" - Mom. She must decide whether the athlete is ready for the next down, or time for snacks and warm. Perhaps now is the time to play snowballs, rolled to the ice slides at their own pope or snegokate, build a snow castle or dig holes in the nearest snow plow blade, or perhaps have a ride for Papin neck? Or drink hot tea with a delicious smelling cake or sandwiches? Or, simply lift such heavy and tight shoes, and draw or read, sitting in the warmth of a cozy cafe or a table? Now that number with you - the young - you will be highly desirable to realize that an hour or one and a half spent in the skies, and then - half an hour in a warm bar in obnimku with a mug of hot cocoa and myagchayshey bun, or even - about the horror! - Ice cream, in anticipation of battle in snowballs or digging caves make you smile at the face almost every five-year skier. In any case: to be on the slopes more than two hours is only in good weather and only if you believe that the child is completely healthy. 

Generally, the education of children under the age of 7 years, mountain skiing - not trained in the strict sense of the word. This is not only training them in a descent and development of any skills. In a similar, if not more so, this is an attempt to give them the love of speed, hills, snow, sun, wind, cold - in short, everything for what we ourselves like downhill skiing. 

All of the above is true for the adult beginner, but when training calves aged 6 - 7 years and over progress is simply strides: they are much faster and self-taught, in addition to such skiing can vary very much learning, gradually removing the element of the game. You can apply various explanations, demonstrations, receptions of "do as I" (depending on the leanings of the person to be emulated or understanding), using his competitive spirit (if available). It is possible for a whole day to give it to the group involved with the instructor, write to the season in the sports section, that it is taught the basic technical features, ask the study with an instructor friend ... 

Instructor 

There is no need to expect from their son or daughter's tremendous success in the first hour (or daily) lessons. Young (especially under the age of 7 years) are very weak can be targeted to study such a complex and highly the activities of descent from the mountain on skis - they need the game. The instructor, able to communicate with children - the most optimal solution to the issue because it creates a more productive environment for the intuitive perception of right skills in children. This is a psychologically important for the child, and besides, you'll always be able to complain about, just cry, and you'll be able to comfort him, something to explain, give, glad, etc. Second, plus sessions with an instructor - this is the fact that the vast majority of resorts, there are special children's ski lifts, in the form of a thick rope or escalator, polzuschego slowly up the slope. These lifts are available to children who are involved with the instructor. The third side of this option: employing instructors, parents paying for their freedom, for the opportunity to hold an hour, half day or even a day without caring about your child. In addition to these considerations, there is one more: the instructor is interested in the fact that the baby liked it - in this case, the parents will likely want to bring it back to that trainer. And that means, and pay him again and again. 

Clothes 

Perhaps one of the most important conditions for the normal rest and the child, and you, is the clothing. Comfortable and clothing, in which the heat, which is not purged, and the wind does not sop. Good vlagoizolyatsiya needed, even in winter - because the baby drops a lot, but in addition - with pleasure vozyatsya in the snow. Obviously? Yes. All kinds of "lotion" is not so important for toddlers, but with increasing age and increasing their role: the five baby still does not listen to CD-player and not waiting for the call on a cellular phone, and pocket for ski pass him still do not. Ventilation zippers under the arms, too, from my point of view, are very rarely needed - perhaps in a warm spring day. But double cuffs on the sleeves, fastened at lipuchku - latch velkro - do not interfere, as well as snegozaschitnaya skirt inside jacket. Protective strips on the lightning, Zippered pockets, waterproof zippers, an adjustable elastic cord at the bottom of twist, warm collar with the inner side of the fleece, and a deep hood with adjustable, which is placed in the cap, too, belong to the category of highly desirable. A pants must be fitted with elastic suspenders, gaiters for protection from snow and pads on his knees. 

To actively engaged in the cold is best not to wear a jacket or cotton wool and bluzony jumpers and different thickness of vlagootvodyaschih modern fabrics - fleece and polarteka by which the body of baby wear termobele. And with the number and thickness of layers of clothing, any mom always takes into account the temperament of his sons: slowly, you may need additional bluzon or jacket. 

Overalls or trousers, plus a warm jacket - the eternal problem of choice. Better to have and jumpsuit - for not too cold weather, warm and powerful waterproof trousers with a thick puff - for the coldest days. In the mountains you need to take both - because if people go under wet snow, and after returning to the hotel wants to take a walk - it must be into something to wear ... While the child is not engaged in skiing, a lot of playing in the snow, ride a sledge or snegokate, just walk - in my opinion, it is better to dress him in overalls, worn on top of that puff or down jacket. Directly on the slopes you can get puff from his jacket or backpack and insulated their child before the game, and when it will actively skiing - make a warm piece of clothing (and at the same time - and to change wet mittens or gloves). And when man grew up, and rolls all the time - you can still ride in overalls, a jacket can be worn with trousers. But to the backpack on their shoulders, parents need to get used: podrastet child - the puff will vest or fleece jacket is thick, but the backpack - the thing will not change. 

The choice of equipment 

  When you put on the skis the child, be extremely careful in the choice of equipment. The most important factor in the selection of suitable young ski is their length (assuming that the child is big enough to stand on skis!) Do not try to buy skis "for growth" - this will ensure rapid fatigue and guaranteed delay the progress of young skiing, especially if he is not prepared physically to such a highly demanding and precise coordination of movements of mind rest. I myself at one time made a similar mistake, and the penalty was that the daughter soon tired, did not have any interest in skating, or learning. But everything changed once were bought by a suitable length of the modern ski ... Once again: do not buy skis from stock, and even more - the old "classics" is perhaps their child. 

Now manufacturers produce models with length of 70 cm, a length of perfect match man weighing 10 - 20 kg. In order to form the modern skis were obedient, the skier must be able to exert enough pressure for them to prognut them, and that the central part of skiing snow covered. Too easy to prognut skis, just standing on them, children face the fact that the toes and heel buried in snow skis and hinder manage. The first and most important point of reference in determining rostovki skis - this is referred to dvadtsatikilogrammovy weight barrier. Most of the produced short skis with a new geometry - 70 ... 80 cm - suitable for babies, whose weight has not yet reached 20 kg. If the weight of the child is in the range of 20 to 32 kilograms, can be closer to ski the length of 90 cm and a length of 100 cm skis are a good choice for beginners with a weight of 32 to 41 kilograms. Of course, this rule, like any other, there are exceptions. If the weight of the young is less than a given value, but he already knows how to ride and knows how to do it, most likely he (or she) will be able to make enough effort to the ski so that it prognulas. Many children ride fast enough and capable enough to get more pleasure from skiing for a few longer skis, especially in the mountains. In addition, it is only a general rule - each manufacturer makes its recommendations on selection of the length of skis, so check with the sellers in the store. You can add that if the young to match the weight of 41 ... 45 kg, skis he can already be collected for growth: some to the nose, but the most inexperienced and not too bold - to the chin. But not a fan of big rostovkoy: it is now a model for even the most bulky and tall adult little longer than 180 cm produced, albeit better skis are slightly shorter than longer. 

Typically, each manufacturer produces several models of skis for children and juniors. Analogs of skis for adult athletes - the most expensive high-tech and youthful patterns for slalom and giant slalom - beginner does not fit: these skis are designed for hard, ledenisty slope and relatively high speed, prognut they are not easy. The average sector collections each manufacturer - versatile skis for those who already know how to ride a bit. They are named colors, but very often have the same design and geometry, so that particularly hard puzzle model for carving or for freeride "is not: choose the color - not a mistake! These models most comfortable, but at the same time, work well in a wide range of speeds and very high reliability. They were able to ride the vast majority of young skiers. The most inexpensive model suitable for nesmelyh the young and those who do ski the very first steps. They are very gentle and obedient, but if your child already enjoys speed, these models may be too comfortable. 

Quite often you can see children who ride a ski-Bordeaux - short skis with no unfastening anchorages. This is - the most dangerous option, and trauma with children skating on hard skiing, (despite the small length, short skis are designed for adults), very often. Please do not put on such young runt! These skis on the feet child - a nation attached a lever, which even in the simplest case, the fall may play a tragic role. Do not spare money for children's skis and automatic attachment - it is pay for your sons safety feet. By the way, about security. Travmoopasnost mountain skis for a child greatly exaggerated. Children rarely get "real skiing" injury on the mountain. Another matter - bruises and colds. Risk factors in descending order: sanochniki and snegokatchiki, snowboarders, and cold, "frostbitten" parents, the lift (especially cable loop!) Are not regulated and mounting ski-boards, other skiers. 

In the boots should be warm and comfortable. Determine the desired size is simple: circle foot cub pencil, cut to get the following and compare it with the sock, removed from the shoe. Add a centimeter in length and meryayte long enough that if something interferes, the discomfort evident. This is very important, because kids are often unable to explain what prevents them. As with skiing, you should not get involved in the size "on growth": the difference more than a half inches is difficult to compensate for socks and insoles, and the next season, even shoes, bought with such a margin may be small.
To save, you can engage in conversation with friends' children skiing for the exchange of equipment, but you can just make the announcement on the Internet or newspaper ads - baby gear at reasonable prices "go" very quickly. Kids for the first steps on skis most comfortable would be the simplest odnoklipsovye model - they are also warm and comfortable, as in felt boots. 

It is early in the adult shoes man shoes, because they are heavier and more powerful special junior models, and significantly more expensive. If a person from 7 to 14 years, much more appropriate solution would be the acquisition of reduced copies of adult chetyrehklipsovyh models made of the most modern of materials - and provide comfort and accuracy of the transfer effort. These boots are perfectly consistent with the characteristics of foot junior. Of course, teenagers sometimes have to use women's shoes (eg, Mother). In doing so, make sure the skier may by weight at least a little shoe bend forward, otherwise it will be too tough. And do not forget that control of the ski ensure that the pad and foot, and not much long clip,'s boots should not be too free! 

When buying anchorages note that the model, calculated on the youngest skiers, consistent with the standards and the soles of children's shoes, so that adult attachment most simple and cheap models simply do not provide the required level of security. Most are small and light attachment for kids equipped with springs to the scale of the response efforts from 0,75 DIN, such models are designed for skiers weighing between 10 ... 12 kg. Try to anchorage set, checked and adjusted in the studio. Installation and adjustment are carried out in accordance with the weight and experience of driving the young, given the size of his shoe. If you can not - set spring heels and socks anchorages on the figure, lower by about 10 ... 15% of that which is obtained when dividing the weight of the child at 10. For example, a child's weight 37 kg, divide by 10 - get a 3.7, deduct 0.5 ... Seeking figure - 3 "with a tail." 

Pole at the initial stage is not needed, but have their "hand" is desirable: if you know that there will need to be on a level place - because there will have to build with sticks. And when the young skating himself feels when they require it, and ask them to buy. We have this happen at the age of about 8 years. Up to 4 ... 6 sticks are hampered, not only the child but also to adults: in fact they also have to be raises, extricate oneself from the feet ... Rules for selection of their length - as well as for adults. Typically, the thin, light and bright patterns for the youngest skiers produced a length of 70 to 105 ... 110 cm 

Points - a very important detail, though in the Moscow region and are not essential. On the other hand, wind or snow, and they are on a small hill not interfere. But in the mountains of the good points are required, they will protect your child's eyes from the cruel mountain sun. Therefore, a cheap knockoff no good - a simple plastic transmits ultraviolet light, and bright children's glasses to rest on the beach can break at the first fall, and of the side the sun do not protect. It is better to choose a model children's well-known manufacturers or reduced copies of adult ski models, especially if your child, in accordance with the modern concepts of safety, and ride in a helmet. Filter is better to choose a double - points to such filters are less inclined to sweat, but the size and shape around the face mask must be carefully verified. How should primerte glasses, make sure the mask is ideal for a child's face, and he does not seek to remove them, because it is experiencing discomfort. Color filter - yellow, orange, pink - let you choose the young: our daughter, for example, chose the glasses and the color filter itself, arguing that in these glasses is convenient and joyful. " Whether their taste: the dull day, through the spectacles with bright light filters world really seems more joyful. 

In recent years, the helmet is becoming an increasingly common element of equipment, not only children but also adults. Even if your young no crashes, no one is safe from attack unguided projectile, flying above and do not have the slightest notion of the safety rules ... Some advice for those going to buy a helmet. Primerte helmets several manufacturers: form a head at all different, and well-seated at the head of your child's friend, a helmet may not come to your son or daughter's glove, but will hang back, if they equal the amount of different forms of the head. Be as accurate as possible to determine the amount - the helmet should not be too free. But not only the shape and size are important: Pay attention to the ventilation system, because the child is not going to rent a helmet almost the whole day, and the pleasure of skating with his head wet from sweat very doubtful. Do not forget to take into account the weight - the lighter the helmet, the less uncomfortable it will make when skating. 

  And finally again two council who repeatedly tested their lives. First, do not save on gear for your child - do not buy boots, skis and clothing strongly "to growth." And secondly - make every effort to ensure that he, like you, loved downhill skiing - make sure that the young like what you are doing, make him comfortable condition on the mountain, and an excellent joint guaranteed to leave you be. And that can happen in one of history encountered anywhere on the Internet: in the virgin snow on a steep slope under the narrow pillars kanatki sits napahavshiysya and tired crying baby, and dad hovering over him with spirit shouts: "You do not understand , this is stoned! " 

In preparing the material used magazines SKIING, tips Alison Crayton (USA) and Egor Svetogorova