It is time to start making plans for snowy family fun this winter. If you think your children are too young for snow play other than what is found in the back yard, think again. Whether it is a snowball fight or a run down the slopes, playing in the snow offers fresh air, exercise and fun for the whole family.
Snowshoeing offers a slower pace than skiing or sledding, allowing you to enjoy the majesty of the mountains and share them with children in a way that everyone can enjoy. It can be a heart-pumping, athletic pursuit or a leisurely trek along the snow-covered trails.
Essentially walking through the snow, snowshoeing is a way for even novice outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the mountains with small children. Falls are not as dramatic as they can be from skis, so parents can feel comfortable with a baby in a pack.
Preschoolers and even sturdy toddlers can stomp along in tiny ‘bear paw’ snowshoes. Kids that are young are thrilled to be out in the wonderful whiteness, and are not interested in hiking long distances. Instead, they are likely to stop and build a snowman three feet from the parking lot.
To get the most out of a snowshoeing adventure, consider having the adults in your party take turns hanging out with the kids. After the initial frenzy of struggling into gear and hoisting the little ones over the inevitable snow bank, one of you can stride ahead for five minutes of solitude then backtrack to rejoin the family. The kids may have only progressed a few feet, eating snow along the way, but your solo journeys will increase your enjoyment and leave you with more enthusiasm for one more snowball fight and building snow people later in the day.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing often use the same trails, but snowshoe prints destroy the trail for skiers. Stay to the side of established ski tracks.
Nordic skiing, also known as cross-country skiing, is simple to learn. If your kids are old enough to try skiing but still tire easily, you can pull a sled or, if available, rent a KinderShuttle. (Imagine your bike trailer on skis.) The sled is also a great option if you are not comfortable skiing with a baby or toddler in a pack.
Like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing does not require a lift ticket and many trails require only that you pay a parking fee. Groomed trails are generally easier for beginners as it breaks up the slippery, icy crust. Very young children will be most successful without ski poles as beginners tend to stick their poles out in front of themselves, causing skis, poles, arms and legs to become tangled.
Snowboarding and alpine or downhill skiing build strength and determination in children and adults. Mom Kristen Kopack goes snowboarding while her husband and seven-year-old daughter ski. She encourages families to invest in a few lessons for kids headed for the slopes.
“They can be with kids their own age or skill level and have fun while mom and dad ski,” she says.
Ski lessons have given her daughter the skills and confidence to go to the top and ski down with her family.
“I enjoy seeing her be fearless, yet in control,” says Kopack.
If your kids are very young, and you have some experience skiing, you might choose to teach them yourself. Mark Dorn has enjoyed teaching his three daughters to ski. Toddlers and preschoolers are likely to tire and lose interest in a short time, but Dorn finds that going up for half a day allows them great instruction time and bonding time - especially on the lifts!
Snowboarding requires more balance than skiing. A child’s centre of gravity is higher the younger they are, which increases their instability on the board. Falls are more likely for the beginning snowboarder, and lessons can help kids learn to fall as safely as possible. Stick with skiing until age five or older when your child will have a lower centre of gravity and better coordination.
And finally, or maybe first of all, sledding and inner-tubing are great equalizers on the slopes. Little skill is required and there is plenty of raucous fun. Bring your own sled to a local hill, or rent a kiddie tube to try smaller sledding hills at a resort. For older kids and teens, tubing on the larger slopes at ski resorts is a big hit. Safety first! Always remember to wear a ski or hockey helmet.
No matter what activities your family decides to pursue in the snow, you will create memories to last a lifetime. And all that snow play is hard work. Like Kopack, you may find that snow play gives your kids a sense of confidence and shows them how strong and powerful they can be.
Outdoor recreation resources for families
Basic Essentials Snowshoeing (Basic Essentials Series) by Phil Savignano
Ski Children - A Guide for Stress Free Skiing with Kids by Lyn Ashby, available for Kindle
Ski Tips for Kids: Fun Instructional Techniques with Cartoons by Mike Clelland and Alex Everett
Heather is a freelance writer and mom.
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