Professional help to go on skis....

Living in northern California and close to Lake Tahoe there is a abundant amount of ski resorts to pick from...and with that means an abundant amount of kid's programs as well. Everything from your standard ski school to the 1 hr private...all the way up to Squaw Valley Academy which is a College Prep School for grades 6-12 and Sugar Bowl's Academy. Honestly it is all a little overwhelming. So with our daughter turning 4 years old and starting to qualify for some programs we went with...the most talked about for this age group...Alpine Meadows' Locals Program. And having just completed the program...we have to say all the hype and expectations were met...if not exceeded.

Alpine's Locals Program is designed for children 4-12 years old who don't necessarily want to be in a team/competition situation, but still get the incredible instruction and coaching to progress their skiing/snowboarding abilities. This program is offered on half day, 2 half days, full day, or 2 full days on the weekends from early January through early March for 8 weeks (avoiding the holiday weekends). Class sizes are generally 4 or less except for the first week when there are larger groupings with several instructors while they ski/board off to determine exact abilities. From the second week on the child has the same instructor and classmates. For my 4yo this was huge! She looked forward every weekend to seeing her ski friends and teacher.

I am not sure if our results were normal, above, or below....but the important piece to me the paying parent (which this program is a steal if you calc it out) was it more than met my expectations and my daughter had a great time. In 8 half day sessions (and really 7 as we missed one for our Park City trip)...she went from wedge turns, assisted on/off the chairlift, and never used a poma or went through a terrain park to...parallel turns on more graduated slopes (we still wedge on the steeps), getting on/off the chairlift with no assistance (we still ride with an adult though), using the poma, and going off the rollers in the terrain park. Laura (her instructor) if you are reading this...we went to Homewood Sunday and she was laying them over carving. My husband said if he would have seen this prior to us giving you your tip he would have doubled it!

The instructors were always prompt and very communicative and friendly. They would discuss with each parent after class what was done during class and their child's progress. Kids generally got a break halfway through for nature's call and a little hot chocolate and graham crackers in the Kids' Camp area. The director of the program was very much on top of things...communicating out schedule changes due to weather, class/instructor changes, etc.. It was an impressively run program.

So I noted we are finished and will have choices again next year....Ally could continue in Locals and increase to a full day, 2 half days, or 2 full days. Or if we/she desires move into the Mountain Rangers program which is more money, but includes their season pass if they are 5 or older when they have to start purchasing one. Mountain Rangers is a lot more days starting in December and going into April. It also is held during all the holiday periods. And is perfect at half days for the 4-6yr old stamina and maturity. It is seen as a stepping stone non-competitive development teams which start at age 6.

But we have until approx Sept 1 to figure that all out and get the early bird discounts. Until then we hope to enjoy some spring skiing with our little parallel skier. We also apparently need to have a talk with the Easter Bunny about some poles....

If you know a great children's ski program or an instructor in your area...please leave a comment.

Other related blog entries:

Child Goes Skiing in Different Conditions

Child Goes on a Ski Vacation...Ski School, Childcare, and More

First Snow, Ski Gear, and Growing Child

11 Children On The Go to Park City

Well, another black out on the old blog, but after you read about this trip you will understand. Feb 19-23 was our annual college reunion ski trip. We guess this was the 8th or 9th year. It started before there was not a single child amongst us and now we had 11 ranging in age from 9mos to 8years old in a single house. The destination this year...Park City, UT. And the timing was great...a storm had just dumped several feet of fresh and we had three days of sun or partly cloudy on tap.

The house had been booked for months and was perfect having 9 closed door rooms with beds...enough for every family, single, and couple to have their own room. There was one room which housed two Dads who happen to come without their wives for either illness reason or Daddy-Daughter bonding. I blogged about rental hunting previously in "Book Ski Vacation Accommodations Now..."

My husband and I shopped at CostCo for a ton of the non-perishable items two days prior to starting our road trip. At nearly $1200 for 4 plane tickets and 1 rental vehicle we opted for the open road this year. My budget is approximately $25 per kid and $50 per adult when it comes to food. This covers breakfast items, sack lunch stuff for the mountain if you so desire, and 3 dinners at the house that I cook...as well as munchies and beverages of the minor and adult-type. One tip about shopping for kids...find out specialities of any children that might result in a mutiny of that item. For instance one family has a son whose breakfast is always those frozen pancakes. Well, last year that family bought those, but as soon as the other little noses in the house caught a whiff they were gone in a single breakfast sitting. So this year I splurged on a few of those items. Then once in town I grab a couple of able bodies and hit the grocery for all the perishables and what wouldn't fit in our vehicle...we had two carts overflowing and required a manger override the bill was so large and later that night our credit card company marked us for fraud as well. We also had some folks in early pick up discounted lift tickets at Canyon Sports the only catch to note is Deer Valley's can only be purchased a day in advance, but with a group this large it is totally worth sending someone out to get them.

But rooms were assigned folks started landing and pizza, salad, and laughs began.

Day 1 was at Park City Ski Resort. It was sunny. Kids 6 and under were FREE. Some kids skied that day, some took lessons, and some stayed home with one parent in the AM then joined us for lunch. Phones or talk abouts are essential on a mountain this large with a group this large. With 20minutes we had managed to gather everyone and stake out a lunch spot at Legacy Lodge on the sundeck. There was only one escape route set of stairs and a pile of snow to keep the kids occupied so it worked out great. Everyone enjoyed the sunny day. And that evening we had 3 sitters from the Guardian Angels of Park City come to the home and care for all the children so we could enjoy a dinner out. After asking for recommendations we got priority seating at Cisero's. It worked out perfect as we had enough time for one drink in their nightclub downstairs while they finished placing our tables and then up for a nearly 3hr long meal. We had a single waiter whom we were his only table of the evening and the food and service were great. We returned to all kids fed and in bed...minus our one usual hold-out. So a very successful evening.

Day 2 was the Adult Only day on the snow. All ski school age children were enrolled and two of our sitters from the previous night returned to care for the younger ones at the house. Check out my earlier post about this at Child goes on ski vacation....ski school, childcare, and more. Another beautiful day on the snow at the Canyons this time. We tend to pick the resort closest to our rental house on this day just in case something does happen we can get back quickly. Again at this resort Kids 6 and under are free.

Day 3 was a mix of skiers and non, kids in lessons and not at Deer Valley ski resort. The day was partly cloudy, but their grooming was impeccable as always. And we managed to get three of the children skiing at the same level that their Dad and I skied all morning with them. I don't think a single person packed their sack lunch here so we could all enjoy the decadent cafeterias. My daughter most enjoyed the fact she could load her hot chocolate with as many marshmallows as she wanted. Another wonderful day. A couple of notes about Deer Valley...no snowboarders, so we did alienate two of our group for the day and no children are free.

All in all another hugely successful trip and with each year the kids grow the easier it seems to get. But here are a few key learnings from this year we will carry forward:

- Bring a backpack with lots of strap or carabiners to get ski boots, kids, skis, helmets, lunches, etc strapped onto or in

- Just fork out the cash (generally $5) for a basket or locker for unlimited in and out all day. This way you have a place for that aforementioned pack and lunches as well as shoes they just wore in from the parking lot. Come'on now...we hate walking in ski boots, just think of your kids.

- Masking Tape...to label all of your kids gear the night before ski school. Even though two years ago one little boy got a pair of UGH boots comp'ed by the ski resort because they lost his clearly labels $10 Target boots.

- Collapsible Lunch Bags/Thermoses...snow sports are not cheap and if you kid is happy with a PB&J why pay $5 for a slice of cheese pizza at a ski resort.

- Crafts...while at the house we had crafts and various trinkets including beads and noisemakers for an impromptu Mardi Gras Parade the last night the kids took turns leading throughout the house.

- Healthy Eating...every year leading up to this one we have nearly everyone ill within a day or two of returning home. So this year's shopping list included veggie trays, fresh fruit and the meals were stir fry and make-your-own burrito with lots of veggies. This and a large box of Immune Emeregen-C for the adults to consume at least once a day. We have been home now for three days and no massive outbreaks.

Next years destination is TBD, but we saw a glimpse of our future with the kids starting to ski together and growing to an age they are becoming fast friends. So we are excited about the prospect of our children having many more years on the go with our friends' children.

Child goes on a ski vacation ...ski school, childcare, and more

Well, I promised I would be back weekly, but it has been tough with being in Tahoe pretty much every weekend, but this article is spurred on for planning for our annual ski trip. This year's destination is Park City, UT with about 25total...adults and kids. Yes, in one house. So with a group this size pre-planning is essential. Especially as the majority of the children are 5 and under. We have a huge range from never seen snow to their only ski/board experience is on this annual trip to my two who see the slopes every weekend. So options:

AGE = Too Young for Ski School...most ski schools start accepting children at age 4 (and potty-trained), but you do have options to at least get yourself and potentially the child on the slopes.

INTERCHANGEABLE PARENT PASS: Or the other name it is commonly referred to and I think truly sums it up is the "Parent Predicament Pass." This pass will generally cost you the same as a standard lift ticket (or worse case a few dollars more). They place it on a bungee and this allows you and your co-parent to switch on and off the pass as children, weather, etc dictates. This is an especially good idea when vacationing with an infant. Someone can ski the morning nap and the other the afternoon nap. Some California/Nevada resorts that offer this are: Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Sierra at Tahoe, Tahoe Donner, Diamond Peak, and Homewood. Unfortunately this has not caught on outside the Tahoe area...my response when querying the Colorado resorts is one sentence "By Colorado State Law, all ski passes and ski tickets are non-transferable." Otherwise go east my friend to New Hampshire's Bretton Woods.

CHILDCARE: Call central reservations for your destination and find out if they recommend any child care services that will come to your accommodations. Generally every ski town has a good one with background-checked, CPR certified care-givers. We have used Baby Business with Naomi in Steamboat Springs, CO and this year we will be trying the Guardian Angels in Park City. This option especially with multiple children is so much more economical compared to the resorts which can be $100-$200 a day. It also keeps your infant/child in a place they are already accustomed and away from the multitude of illness bugs that come with a daycare like environment at the resort's childcares.

With that said though we have found many of the on-resort childcare options very wonderful. Vail, Beavercreek, Northstar are to name a few we have used. But it's always good to check out there website and ask some questions:
> How are the age groups structured?

> What is the care-giver to child ratio?

> What are your security practices?

> How do you get in contact with me if you need me?

> Are your care-givers CPR/First Aid certified?

> What will my child's day be like (which will lead you to appropriate clothing, etc)?

> Will any snow play or ski lesson be included?

> What meals or snacks are included?

> What if my child has food allergies?

> Will I get a report card at the end of my child's day?

PRIVATE LESSON: And if you really want to get your child on the snow put your kids in a lesson to get them on the right track. And request a children's instructor as they know how to teach kids, it’s their business. Then you’ll enjoy skiing with your kids and they will be proud to show you their skiing abilities. If you child is not potty-trained...ensure they have gone prior to the lesson and/or ensure they have on a pull-up.

AGE = Ski School

Most US-based ski school accept children beginning at the age of four or five. And you will find rare cases at age 3. But generally in all instances they must be potty-trained and in some cases you have to provide proof of age.

Age is not the only factor when placing your child in a ski school. Ability will be taken into account as well. Ensure to be honest about your child's ability. Generally the resort will have an ability rating system published on their website or will ask you questions to help establish your child's ability. Other things you should be ready to share about your child would include allergies or behavioral concerns such as shyness or even crankiness due to jet-leg, late night, etc..

You should contact the resort about a month in advance of your planned visit to make a reservation. You will then receive confirmation with information such as check-in procedure including the when's and where's as well as what to bring and what to wear and other program specifics.

Questions you should have for the resort include;
> What is the general class size?
> What is the procedure for keeping classes together?
> What is the procedure for emergencies?
> What is your pick-up procedure/security?
Once you leave your child it is best to stay away. If you have to sneak a peek do so from a distance.
Good source: http://www.kidznsnow.com/8062