You're Never Too Young to Learn

I've always been amazed at the teeny weeny skiers snowplowing their way down the piste with big smiles on their rosy faces. Skiing is such a great family sport; one in which the kids soon become much better than the parents!

With a recent move to Aviemore it meant Cairngorm ski resort was on my doorstep a perfect chance to get Teagan 4 and Summer nearly 2 on their own skis.

Initially I would take the girls to a slope in the village as I thought with Summer being only 18 months at the time it would be a bit difficult managing them both on the piste.

Snow is an amazing environment to play in. Armed with sledges, skis and a pocket full of nibbles we spent many hours building snowmen, sledging, digging holes, making igloos and of course getting used to having two big planks attached to our feet.

As the season progressed I managed a few sneaky trips up the mountain to the pistes just with Teagan. The funicular train ride is a great start to the day and the girls gleem with delight at showing the ticket man their season passes.

The trick to teaching your little ones to ski (I find) is to go with the flow. Dont expect too much, half an hour on the piste is enough, then to the cafe for a hot chocolate. I began with Teagan skiing between my legs. She would hold onto a horizontal ski pole that I was also holding. That way I was controlling her speed and direction but all her weight was on her skis. As she progressed she would ski out in front on a leash.

The three of us managed a few trips up the mountain. It was a bit of a juggling act but I would leave one of the girls playing in the snow at the bottom whilst taking the other on the very short (10m) beginners run. Summer was delighted at being wooshed up the mountain on a poma lift and skied back down.

I don't think there is a 'right' age to start a sport. Summer was always finding Teagan's ski boots and skis in the house putting them on and playing skiing - she was definitely not going to be left behind!