Ski Tips

Heading off to Ski School - Day One
Written by Okemo Instructor, Christopher Del Sole

I remember my first day of ski school like it was yesterday.  My instructor was kind, funny, and had a great big smile that was only matched by my own Cheshire cat grin.  At least, that's how I like to remember it.  The real story, as my mother tells it, involves hours of crying, feet stamping, and carrying on.  In hindsight, I wasn't against skiing so much as afraid of the unknown.  I had no idea what to expect.  As I learned all those years ago, being prepared both mentally and physically can go a long way towards ensuring a successful day at ski school.

Many of the kids enrolled in Okemo's Snow Stars program have never been away from Mom and Dad for more than a few hours, so the prospect

of six or seven hours on their own can seem daunting.  Throw in the strange clothing, gear, and surroundings of a vacation, and it's no surprise when the tears start rolling.  Fortunately for everyone involved, Okemo has a great children's program staffed by some of the most caring instructors in the industry! 

In my years teaching both young children and adults, I've learned that while motivation is a key component of a successful lesson, what motivates people often differs depending on age. Adults are usually motivated from within, whereas kids respond better to external motivators - pleasing Mommy and Daddy, the reward of a hot cocoa break, or gaining the skills needed to keep up with friends and family on the slopes.  By letting young ones see how much you enjoy skiing and how excited you are to go skiing as a family, you can impart in your child a lifelong love of the sport and provide valuable motivation.

Familiarize your child with their ski equipment!  Let them wear their snow pants, jacket, goggles, mittens, and helmet around the house.  If  you already have their skis and boots on hand, let them play around with them at home.  A final note on clothing and gear - label EVERYTHING, or at least everything you'd like your child to return home with!

Another fun activity that can help allay fears is visiting Okemo's "Snow Monsters" website which features games, cartoons, movies and more, all containing our lovable mascot, Snowball. Make sure your child gets enough sleep the night before.  Although it's often hard to get them to sleep when on vacation, the proper amount of rest is very important.  Along the same lines, make sure they eat a good breakfast before coming to Snow Stars.  Not only does a proper meal fill their belly, it also helps keep them warm and happy.

Finally, don't hesitate to relay any concerns or requests to our instructors at check-in.  While it's not always possible to keep friends together or guarantee a favorite instructor, we do our best to grant such requests. 

It might be called ski school, but there's no homework, no tests, and although it's true the kids learn fundamental skills, the emphasis is definitely on fun!