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7. Follow the 5-Step

to Family Fun

Five Easy Steps Step Activity Teaching Aids Starting Ages #1 Slide-time Kiddie Ski Bar/Tip Lock 1-3 start here #2 Wedge Turns Ski Leash/Tip Lock/Wedge Lock 4-5 start here #3 Wedge Turns Ski Leash/Tip Lock 6 start here #4 Wedge Turns Tip Lock/ Wedge Lock   #5 Independent Skiing on beginner/intermediate slopes (by age 2 ½ for kids who start the skiing at age1) *NOTE: always use the Kiddie Lift for ages 1-5

The 5 steps of the KiD-SKi Learning Progression are described below. The descriptions are based on perceived averages for the physical development of children. However, all children develop at different rates. You must interpret your child, our suggestions, and your skiing situation.

	Step #1:
	Slide-Time & Fun		Ages 1-3
	USE:	Kiddie Ski Bar Tip Lock Kiddie Lift

With the Kiddie Ski Bar, give your 1-3 year-old child lots of slide-time to acquaint him/her with sliding skis and outdoor winter fun. The Kiddie Ski Bar works great in the playroom, the backyard or on the ski slopes. You're not trying to teach your child to turn, nor even to maintain a wedge position -- just slide-time and winter outdoor fun. Stick to gentle terrain, but with the Kiddie Ski Bar, you can ski all over a mountain and enjoy the whole theme park.

For best results, always use the Tip Lock and Kiddie Lift with the Kiddie Ski Bar (even when carpet skiing in the playroom). A 1 year-old should spend the entire winter in Step #1, while 2-3 year-olds should be able to progress all the way to independent skiing in one winter if given the skiing opportunity.

	Step #2:
	Wedge Turns (steering)		Ages 2-5
	USE:  Ski Leash Tip Lock Wedge Lock Kiddie Lift Kiddie Ski Bar (ages 1-3)

The 4-5 year-old kids can skip Step #1 and join the progression in Step #2.

When your child can stand and balance enough to slide down very easy terrain, introduce wedge turns with the Ski Leash and Tip Lock. When comfortable with the Ski Leash, find a groomed intermediate pitch and introduce the Wedge Lock. With the Tip Lock/Wedge Lock combination, steer your child through some easy turns. It's easier to steer a child through turns on an intermediate pitch than a beginner pitch because the additional pressure against the leash gives you more steering leverage.

Step #2 Details:

Remember, the child must be in a wedge position for you to properly steer him/her through turns with the Ski Leash. That's why using at least a Tip Lock (and in Step #2, a Wedge Lock, too) is critical for proper use of a Ski Leash. Remember also, a Ski Leash should be thought of as a learn-to-turn device, not just a run-away strap. [Most people use ski leash devices improperly, because they use them only as restraining straps.] When using a Ski Leash, minimize the amount of time pulling on both reigns simultaneously.

If you're on a pitch, you should always be steering a child through turns by pulling one reign, then the other. When youÕre skiing across flats, don't pull on either reign. Rarely should you need to pull on both leashes simultaneously.

While introducing your 2-3 year-old child to wedge turns in Step #2, continue to log lots of mileage (and fun) using the Kiddie Ski Bar/Tip Lock combo in between turning sessions. Don't try to use a Kiddie Ski Bar while a Wedge Lock is connecting the ski boots together. A child cannot stand comfortably in a wedge position when on the Kiddie Ski Bar and sliding next to you.

	Step #3:
	Wedge Turns (steering)		Ages 2-6
	USE:  Ski Leash Tip Lock Kiddie Ski Bar (ages 1-3) Kiddie Lift (ages 1-5)

Ages 6-8 can start their skiing experience here in Step #3.

For Step #3, as your child gains confidence and stability in holding a wedge, phase out the Wedge Lock (from Step 2) while continuing to steer him/her through turns with the Ski Leash/Tip Lock combination. Ages 6-8 can start with the Ski Leash/Tip Lock combo. When a child is in a wedge position, as s/he should be when using a Ski Leash, then a gentle pitch is required in order to maintain some speed -- not very flat terrain usually found on beginner lifts. So, ski some groomed intermediate terrain with the Ski Leash.

Step #3 Details:

Remember, any child of any age who is inexperienced enough to need a Ski Leash is also inexperienced enough to need a Tip Lock. One of the most common mistakes parents make is to use a Ski Leash without a Tip Lock. As a mistake, it ranks right up there with using the Ski Leash only as a run-away strap, instead of as a steering device. In fact, the two mistakes are related.

Even in Step #3 for the 2-3 year-olds, continue to accumulate some extra slide-time on the Kiddie Ski Bar between turning sessions on the Ski Leash.

If you're on a big mountain, you can cover much more terrain and ski around much more efficiently with the Kiddie Ski Bar. Then, when you find a nice slope with the right pitch, pull out the Ski Leash and steer your child through some turns. Then, pop your child back on the Kiddie Ski Bar.

	Step #4:
	Wedge Turns (alone)		Ages 2-6
	USE:  Tip Lock Wedge Lock (ages 2-5) Kiddie Lift (ages 1-5)

As your child gains more confidence and experience, phase out the Ski Leash and let your child ski alone with just the Tip Lock. Initially, especially for the 2-5 year-olds, it will be helpful to alternate between using the Tip Lock by itself on easy beginner terrain, and using the Tip Lock/Wedge Lock combination on intermediate terrain. In this transition step to independence, the Wedge Lock does a great job keeping your child's speed in check while still giving him/her some skiing freedom.

Step #4 Details:

The main difference between steering your child through turns with the Ski Leash (Steps #2 & #3), and making wedge turns alone (Step #4), is the child must now initiate the turns. Most likely, this will just come naturally from instincts picked up during the steering steps. If your child is conversational (ages 4-8), explain that standing on one ski or the other, if it is on edge, will cause that ski to turn in the new direction -- stand on the right ski to turn left, and the left ski to turn right. If your child is not conversational (age 2-3), let their instincts do the work.

In fact, when moving out of Step #3 and into Step #4, your choice of slopes should determine the best combination of teaching aids. For example, any of the combinations in the chart below will work, and it would be beneficial to let your child sample all three, even on the same day.

Terrain Teaching Aids Exercise Beginner Tip Lock/Wedge Lock Wedge turning alone Easy Intermediate Ski Leash/Tip Lock Wedge turns by steering Advanced Intermediate Ski Leash/Tip Lock/Wedge Lock Wedge turns by steering

 

	Step #5:
	Skiing Independence		Ages 2-6
	USE:  Kiddie Lift (ages 1-5)

Your child should now be ready to ski independently. Phase out the Tip Lock on beginner terrain first, then intermediate terrain. Alternate between the two, with and without the Tip Lock. If s/he tends to go too fast at first, ski just below your child and force him/her to turn, or turn more, in order to keep the speed down. Teach your child to control his/her speed by turning well out of the fall-line; and to slow down, and to stop, by over-turning, i.e., by turning across the hill. You can also ski along next to your child with the Kiddie Ski Bar and, if s/he gets going too fast, just place the "H" of the bar against your child's torso and slow him/her down. It's one more use for the versatile Kiddie Ski Bar.

Step #5 Details:

Once skiing independently, just let your child ski, ski, ski. Don't over-coach. In fact, there usually is no need to coach at all. Chances are, your child's instincts are more effective, and accurate, than any coaching advice you may offer. Rather than coaching, put your energies into choosing the right trails and making a fun game out of the sport.