Annika Learns to Ski

I think that one of my favorite moments as a mom is when my girls learn to ski on their own.  Annika has been a long time in coming.  We tried we she was barely two and then we tried several times last year too.  But she was a little scared and would not let go of me when we were skiing down the mountain.  It just didn't work.  Cameron suggested that we may still have problems this year but I was insistent that she would learn this year.  I gave evidence that the other girls had learned when they were 4 and Annika would be four very soon.  

There are several things that will make teaching a young child to ski easier.  First help them to feel as free as possible... I don't start the helmet until they are skiing a little faster.  If you can pick a warm morning or afternoon this is better since the cold can get them down quickly.  You also need a boatload of patience and the ability to work at their level.  Be positive and have treats.  Last of all make sure you come equipt with an edgy-wedgy.  This little device will hold the front of the skis together and makes it much easier on the kid who is just learning what to do with their skis.  

I brought her up on a nice warm Saturday right before Christmas.  Everyone else went off in different dirrections and it was just Annika and I.  We were doing okay when a Snow Valley ski instructor gave me some great advice and some Jelly Bellies.  (I think Jelly bellies make the perfect ski treat and would always teach a kid how to ski with easy access to them.)   He suggested I ski backwards (something I have never done) and have her put the pole in her tummy and hold on.  It worked perfectly and within a couple runs she was willing to let go of the pole and ski by herself.  

 The older girls skied over to see how she was doing and took the run down with her.  It was fun to see all my girls skiing together.

 The liked to hold her hand and help her down the mountain.  At this point she still needed the help.

 By about 6 runs in she had mastered the basic skills and was capable of stopping by herself.

 She was especially excited to show Daddy as she had learned when he was done working at snow valley.

 Here is one picture showing me skiing with Annika.

 We succeeded and now we have quite the little skier.  She gets better each time we go!