If "Born to Ski" was printed on your baby's very first onesie then it’s likely you have been looking forward to sharing your love of the snow with your kids since before they were born. Now that they can walk, the time has finally arrived to turn that mantra into reality. You wrestle tiny boots onto wiggly feet, wipe the occasional tear, and celebrate the small victories—like successfully getting both skis on before they decide they’re "too tired." But then, something magical happens. Maybe it’s their first real shuffle on the snow, the laughter as they hop down the bunny hill, or when they make their first pizza turn without edgie wedgies. Sharing the love of skiing with your child isn’t just about teaching a skill—it’s about passing on a passion for the outdoors and the amazing lifestyle that mountain sports foster.
Teaching kids to ski can be one of the most rewarding—and sometimes challenging—experiences for both parents and children. To get expert insight, I sat down with Maggie Loring from Deer Valley Resort Ski School, a seasoned ski instructor and national leader in children’s ski education. Maggie started teaching skiing at age 14 and has spent decades teaching skiing in Utah. She has worked to refine kids’ ski programs, through working with PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) to help standardize youth ski instruction nationally shaping how young skiers excel in the sport. Below are Maggie’s insights into how to make teaching your kids to ski the most seamless progression for both parents and children.
#1 Prep For Success:
Ski gear is weird. The boots are stiff and uncomfortable, the skis are long and cumbersome to manage let alone glide on, and the helmet?!? Who wants to wear that? Maggie recommends having your kids practice in ski gear long before you try to ski to make the transition into ski gear as seamless as possible.
- Boots: Have your child get used to ski boots at home before even going to the mountain. You can have them practice walking, jumping, playing tag, etc. in their boots to help them discover their balance point and feel comfortable in the boots before exposing them to the snow.
- Skis: Once your child has mastered ambulating in boots, have them play around in the yard with one ski on and learn how to take them on/off. They can practice gliding on flats with just one ski, and learn how to move the ski without getting too frustrated in the home environment.
Once your kid has demonstrated tolerance to ski gear in a comfortable setting it’s time to hit the slopes!
#2 Make it Fun:
One of the biggest mistakes parents and instructors make when teaching kids to ski is pushing them too hard or making it feel like work. Maggie emphasizes that kids learn best through play. The more engaging and game-like the lesson, the more likely kids will enjoy it and develop strong foundational skills.
Ski instructors use a variety of games to teach balance, control, and turning. Some examples include:
- Popcorn: A follow-the-leader game where kids jump when the instructor says “pop.” This teaches them an athletic stance and how to engage the front of the boot.
- Dolphins: Kids pretend to be dolphins diving in and out of the snow, which encourages smooth movements and how to manage momentum.
- Obstacle Courses: Turning is an abstract concept to kids maneuvering around cones, through tunnels, or over small bumps teaches turning and terrain adaptation in a concrete and easy to understand way.
Annie wrote about additional ways to make skiing fun for kiddos. Read more here.
#3 Leave it to the Professionals:
While many parents try to teach their kids to ski themselves, Maggie strongly recommends starting with a professional lesson. “Ski instructors are trained to make skiing fun and safe, and they know how to structure learning so kids progress naturally,” she explains. Maggie shared stories about parents getting injured while trying to teach their kids how to ski, especially when doing tasks that seem natural to advanced skiers such as getting on and off the chairlift. When in doubt - send your kid to a lesson - that way both you and your child can get the most out of your ski day. Oh and here are a few reasons to drop them at ski school and NOT attend your child's first lesson.
At Deer Valley Resort Ski School, beginner lessons are structured to ensure a low student-to-instructor ratio, which is especially important for young kids. First-time lessons focus on:
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Getting comfortable in ski gear
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Learning to glide on flat terrain before heading up the mountain
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Managing skis (putting them on/off)
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Practicing stopping and turning in a controlled setting
#3 Reinforce Skills Between Lessons:
Bridging the gap between time in lessons and time skiing as a family can be challenging, Maggie recommends:
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Keeping terrain appropriate for the lowest level skier: Taking kids on slopes that are too steep can lead to bad habits like skiing too far in the backseat or widening their wedge stance too much. It can also be scary for kids who feel out of control which can foster a fear with skiing.
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Using fun drills: Games like “follow the leader” or “formation skiing” (where kids ski together in a group, then break apart and regroup) make learning more engaging. You can also have the older kids play ski patroller and help the younger kids pick up their gear when they do inevitably yardsale.
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Encouraging independence: Allow kids to practice putting their own skis on and off, carrying their own gear, navigating lift lines, and stopping safely before progressing to harder terrain.
Youth Ski Programs to Explore:
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Ski Utah 4th-6th Grade Passport – This program gives 4th, 5th, and 6th graders the opportunity to ski at every resort in Utah for a small one-time fee. It’s an excellent way for kids to explore different mountains and improve their skills.
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Deer Valley’s Reindeer Club – Deer Valley is known for small class sizes and tailored instruction, ensuring kids get more one-on-one attention.
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Kinderbird Adventure Team – Snowbird offers kids’ lessons that focus on skill progression while incorporating plenty of fun and play-based learning in a small 3:1 kid-to-instructor ratio. New for the 2024-2025 Season a Summit Pass is included for all 5- and 6-year-olds participating.
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Where Kids Ski Free in Utah – Check out this blog for up-to-date information on where kids ski free in Utah.
Helping Kids Love Skiing for Life
The ultimate goal of teaching kids to ski is to help them develop a love for the sport. Maggie emphasizes that fun and progression go hand in hand—if kids feel successful, they’ll be more excited to ski. Whether through professional lessons, family outings, or ski school programs, making skiing playful and positive is the best way to ensure kids become lifelong skiers.
Tips to keep your kids safe on the slopes can be found here.
