No one spends more time skiing with children than parents. And skiing and snowboarding parents know a lot about keeping kids safe.
Today, we’re featuring safety tips and suggestions from parents, gleaned from a Facebook conversation way back in August.
We’ve also got a new chairlift safety video from Colorado Ski Country USA to help teach you and your kids how to load and ride a chairlift.
Chairlift Safety for Kids and Adults
Knowing how to ride a lift before you’re in the lift line is important. This fun video will teach you and your children what you need to know.
How to Use the Chairlift Safety Bar
In addition to helping your child onto the chairlift when necessary, always use the safety bar.
Chairlift safety bars are mandatory in some states (think the northeast), but not in others (think the west).
(For more on chairlift safety — and good manners — click here)
Whether or not you’re required to use the safety bar, do. As a reader from Ontario recently pointed out, most of us would never drive anywhere without a seatbelt, so why ride the lift without using the bar?
It’s a good point and it’s both smart and safe.
Just be sure to ask before lowering the bar. You don’t want to inadvertently hurt or jostle someone.
Skiing Safety: Know the Rules
Parents know that the best way to enhance skiing safety is to raise safe skiers.
Melissa Dressel Pashcke is a brave ski mom who teaches her children “to be defensive, mindful skiers, aware of etiquette and right-of-way.”
The easiest way to do this is to review the NSAA Code or the FIS Rules of Conduct with your children at the beginning of every season and throughout the winter. Talk about how to respond correctly in different situations, and make sure they understand why safety is important.
Ski mom Eryn Kaiser recommends putting kids in lessons, not just to learn basic skills but to learn safety rules and proper skiing behavior.
“My kids are 100 times safer in ski programs than with me,” she shares. “They teach me safety guidelines for skiing and are very aware skiers. I would rather have them in a ski lesson or clinic, than not.”
(Talk to your kids about skiing safely and skiing safety)
Keep Your Child in Front of You
We’ve all seen instructors leading groups of tots down the mountain, but they are trained instructors, not parents. Instead, parents should ski behind their kids, so that they can keep a close watch on their children and surrounding skiers. This helps to keep everyone safe. Plus, if your child falls, you’re right there to help her up.
Additionally, be smart about when and where you ski. Choose days and times that are less crowded and chose runs that attract fewer people. The more room you have, the more relaxed and happy everyone will be.
Ask Questions
If your kids are taking ski lessons or snowboard lessons this winter, ask the ski and ride school about safety.
Find out the ski school’s policies regarding children riding alone on chairlifts and whether or not chairlift operators are trained to help kids onto the lift. If the ski and ride school doesn’t have a policy, encourage them to develop procedures to keep kids safe.
Likewise, if you’re in the lift line and you need help getting your child onto the chairlift, just ask. Lift operators want to help and will gladly slow the lift and help load your child if necessary.
Let’s keep this conversation going! What are you best tips for keeping kids safe on the mountain?
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