• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Because the Family that Skis Together, Enjoys Life Together.
  • Home
  • About
    • Awards
    • Featured Author
    • Brand Ambassador
  • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Contact Me

The Brave Ski Mom

Building a new generation of skiers and snowboarders.

  • Skiing
    • Skiing With Kids
    • Ski Racing
    • Learn to Ski
    • Cross Country Skiing
    • Telemark Skiing
    • Snowboarding
  • Ski Resort Reviews
    • United States
      • Alaska
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Idaho
      • Maine
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Pennsylvania
      • Utah
      • Vermont
      • Washington
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Bulgaria
    • Canada
    • Chile
    • France
    • Finland
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • New Zealand
  • Ski Gear Checklist and Recommendations
    • Equipment and Gear
    • Product Reviews
    • Brave Ski Mom Stickers
  • Hiking
    • Camping
  • Biking
    • Downhill Biking
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
  • Good Stuff
    • Parenting
    • Health
      • Getting in Shape
    • Reflections

Motivating Your Teen from Couch to Chairlift

March 5, 2018 by braveskimom

lummis family skiing at breckenridge
This season. While my boys are nearly men, they are still my boys and two of my best ski buddies. Photo: EpicMix, Breckenridge, CO.

braveskimom logoDespite the fact that every parent was once a teen, it’s easy to forget what those years were like. It’s even easier to judge our offspring as if they were a separate species.

Teens can be delightful, confusing and exasperating all at the same time.

As they transition from childhood to adulthood, teens rightly begin developing their own preferences and identify. They have definite opinions about what they want to do when and with whom, and these opinions don’t always match up with those of their parents. This makes parenting teens especially tricky.

Tips for Motivating Teens to Get Outdoors

While my focus today is on getting teens from the couch to the chairlift, these tips can be adapted to motivate kids of all ages, for any outdoor activity. 

skiing with teens

No Nagging

It’s much too easy for frustrated parents to resort to blame, nag and threaten (i.e.  “I don’t care about your plans, we are skiing this weekend as a family!”  or “You’re going skiing or I’m taking away your phone!”). But your message will be better received when offered calmly as an open invitation.

“I’m going skiing this weekend. Do you want to come?”

Teens are very adept at sensing hypocrisy. If you’re frustrated by how much time your teens spends indoors, using technology, hanging out with friends or lying on the couch, examine your own behavior before pointing any fingers.

Set a positive tone for healthy active winter fun.

Cede Some Control

Sweeten your proposal by giving your teen some control. Teens crave control over their lives and they want to make their own decisions. Thus, they are more likely to join you for a day of skiing if they can choose the day or time.

This also means taking the time to understand what motivates your teen. If he or she is more interested in hiking or mountain biking, for example, than skiing, don’t take it personally. Instead, be thankful that she is getting outdoors or that he is getting exercise, even if it doesn’t involve you.

Better yet, join in and participate in your child’s current passion. Let your teens know that you value their company and spending time outdoors with them, no matter what the activity. 

Here is a recent video from Alyssa Erickson from The Kid Project and me. It has three tips for motivating teens and getting them outdoors. 

The Importance of Friends 

Teens are social and while they may not always want to ski with mom and dad, they may be willing to get outdoors with their friends. Help make this happen by driving a group of kids to the mountain, picking them up at the end of they day and being on hand to offer assistance.

Cherish the opportunity to help your child be social and enjoy time with friends.

Also, if you are driving, bring your skis and be ready to spend some time skiing with your teens and friends. They just might invite you.

teens skiing
A memorable powder day when our son skipped school with friends (with parental approval). Because outdoor time with friends is outdoor time.

Commit to Time Together

If you put it on the calendar, it’s more likely to happen. Plan a special ski day with your teen or teenagers. Skip school. Skip work. Choose a new ski area. Study the trail map together before you go and pick the runs you want to explore.  Take a lesson together or try something new like snowboarding or ski touring.

Make this special day an adventure to remember. Commit to the date and don’t let anything get in your way.

And, if for some reason, your teen isn’t interested in a special day with you right now (maybe they can’t skip school because of a heavy class load), keep asking.

At some point, the stars will align and the fun will happen.

Because, paraphrasing my husband, “you can’t memories together, unless you’re together.”

Get in the Backseat

While skiing in the “backseat” is bad for your quads and your form, taking a backseat role to your teen can be really helpful.

Ask your teen to plan a ski day, weekend or a week. Set the necessary parameters (for example, how much you’re willing to spend or how far you’ll drive) and turn your teen loose. Then, when you ski together, wholeheartedly join in all that your child has planned.

Not only will your teen learn some logistical skills, but your teen will also learn that you trust and value her or his opinions and preferences. Plus, you’ll get some insight into your child’s burgeoning identity.

Listen

Adults and teens look at life differently. Adults, with our often hectic, too-full lives, get caught up in the “doing” and miss out on the “being.”

When spending time with your teenager and your family, focus on the “being.”

Take advantage of chairlift time. Let your teen steer the conversation while you listen. Use this captive time, while you’re prepping for your next run, to build lasting bridges in your relationship.

Enjoy the unique person you’re with, the moment you’re in, the bounty of the snow, and the companionship that comes of enjoying a beloved sport together.

family skiing together at powderhorn mountain colorado
The family skiing selfie, circa 2017 at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.

 

© 2018, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

Spread the Love (thanks!)

  • Email
  • Print
  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Filed Under: Parenting, Skiing, Skiing With Kids Tagged With: Family, Family Skiing, parenting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Monica Schwanitz - Lost Mitten, LLC says

    March 5, 2018 at 9:40 am

    Great Article….THANK YOU!!!!!

    • braveskimom says

      March 5, 2018 at 10:55 am

      Thank you for letting me know! I really appreciate the positive feedback!

  2. Audrey Rub says

    March 5, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Great article. Wonderful suggestions. I’d also add that helping teens to be safe and responsible adds to their fun and safety, as well as those around them. I find myself (as the monther of a teenager), frustrated by other teens that appear to be reckless, too fast, or not engaging in any etiqutte ( “on your left!”). It’s a balance of course because we want them off the phones, and off the soafe, and to enjoy themselves, to have some independence, but also feel reassured that they are making every effort to be responsible while out there. These were hard lessons learned by both me, and my son, by getting crashed into by out of control teens this year, sustaining bad injuries. Wishing those parents had spent more time talking to their teens about control and safety. Thanks for the link!

    • Kristen Lummis says

      March 5, 2018 at 12:57 pm

      Thanks Audrey! I am so sorry that you’ve had accidents interfering with this season’s skiing. That’s terrible. You make a very good point. It is really important for parents to talk to their children about skiing safety. It’s not something anyone knows intuitively.

      https://braveskimom.com/talk-to-your-kids-skiing-safely-and-skiing-safety

Primary Sidebar

2023-2024 Partners

FERA
World Snow Day
FERA

Welcome

I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

Never Miss a Post

Enter your email address to subscribe. You'll receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

FacebookInstagram Pinterest Twitter

Today’s Most Popular Posts

  • No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
    No Snow? No Problem: Summer Skiing in North America
  • Bravery 101: Chairlift Safety for Parents and Kids
    Bravery 101: Chairlift Safety for Parents and Kids
  • Pick Ups Made Easy: The Kinderlift Ski Vest for Kids
    Pick Ups Made Easy: The Kinderlift Ski Vest for Kids
  • Catching Up with US Ski Team Legend Ted Ligety
    Catching Up with US Ski Team Legend Ted Ligety
  • Ski Fashion Preview: Women's Ski Jackets, Sorel Boots and More (Obermeyer Giveaway)
    Ski Fashion Preview: Women's Ski Jackets, Sorel Boots and More (Obermeyer Giveaway)
  • Ski Vacation 101: Feeding the Family
    Ski Vacation 101: Feeding the Family

Categories

Footer

Recent Tweets

My Tweets

Featured In

snowlink world snow day snowkidz
liftopia mtn town learn to ski and snowboard mom trends
Copyright © 2025 · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Affiliate Disclosure · Product Review & Giveaway Policy · Guest Post Policy · Privacy Policy · Login
 

Loading Comments...