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Emily does her first green run and Brennan..isn't sure at Brighton
Posted by Jodi Saeland on February 3, 2010
I've been waiting and the wait is over. Emily is doing the greens!! My goal by the end of the season was for her to do some green runs with me and we're already there!! It was such a proud moment!! We went up to Brighton because we decided to give Brennan another go at the skiing thing. As in previous blogs, I mentioned we bonded with Gina as an instructor. I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a good instructor and sticking with him/her. Get a lesson, get their name and stick with the same person if possible. Especially when they are young. Brennan doesn't trust very many, so important for him. I also thought the green runs are so nice at Brighton. If you find runs you are comfortable with and know well, that is the best place to go when taking the little guys on your own.
Brennan got to ski school and was ready to go ahead with Gina once again. Emily was very excited to show Gina what she's learned in her lessons at Deer Valley the last few weeks. Most of the resorts with have a cheaper lift ticket you can purchase for just the beginner runs which is a savings on a family if you know you or your kids are not going to ski the whole mountain, purchase the 1-2 lifts ticket and get your feet wet first on the mountain and then maybe the next day you can get a regular priced ticket. You can also get discounted tickets at many places before you head up to the mountain including ski n' see. It will save you a few dollars.
Emily and I headed up the beginner lift so she could show Gina how she was doing and also to see how Brennan would do. Emily "didn't want any help, I can do it myself", so I helped her on the lift and off, but that was it. It had also started to snow...so SCORE for me! We get to the top and Brighton has a wonderful setup with Polar Bear wooden cutouts. It is something for the kids to head toward while skiiing down the mountain...practicing turns, slowing... Emily did this early in the season with Gina and they named the polar bears. Miss "I remember everything" remembered this and when we were all off the chairlift, she made a point of calling out the names. Also, "Gina, watch me". Meanwhile, Gina is trying to control Brennan. He doesn't really want to stand up, just wants to be held up by Gina. A task with the 2 year olds. Gina got clever toward the bottom and just stood him up and of course he can do it. We all have that child who can convince us they need "help" when really they are capable of doing it themselves. This is why an instructor is good...you get frustrated, they don't. Thanks Gina!
After seeing Brennan sort of "do his thing", Gina said she felt Em was ready for the lift. So, Majestic...here we come. As we're skiing away from the beginner run I hear Brennan say he needs "a little rest". Good luck! Highest lift Emily has been on and she's looking down and getting a little scared. Under Majestic is the 1/2 pipe and all the rails and snowboard fun. I'm trying to explain we are not going down there, not even Mommy is doing that. But, in a 4 year old mind, that's scary! We get to the top, BEAUTIFUL snow falling...love the Utah powder.. and away we go. Emily is confident! Not crazy daring, but sure of herself. Awesome! We go down this green slope and see maybe 2-3 people, snow is falling and Emily is doing great. Great tree lined run, beautiful and great for our first run. I'm so proud, I could burst!
I get a text from Gina; they're back in the ski school room. Brennan is done. That's ok. Em and I arrive to Gina looking at books, drinking hot chocolate and Bren is happy as can be. He did ok and as well at 2 as expected. Now if he would just be more independent... Maybe next time. Again, every experience he has is great. DON'T push, don't criticize, just encourage and make it fun and he'll want to come back. Gina has been great at that and I think it is one of the reasons Emily is doing so well.
I've been asked what is the best age. My answer...it depends on the child. I would say 4. Try at 2, try at 3 and be assured at 4 they are ready. I think by the exposure at 2 and 3; even for an hour here or there to put it in their head; but at 4 they are really ready to try and will remember from the years before. If your child is more independent, they may do well and take off earlier, but I feel 4 has been a great age. Emily was on skis at 2 and 3, but something clicked this year.
I have one question as you watch the videos of the kids. My husband and I had a discussion as I was filming Em skiing ahead of me . As a parent, do you go in front of them or behind? My husband thinks in front; I'm not sure
Next blog...let's talk what clothing is good/bad and what about snacks?
Trying out daycare with one child while keeping an eye on the other in ski lessons...
Posted by Jodi Saeland on January 28, 2010
Brennan has not been a daycare child. We've been fortunate that one parent has stayed home. For those that have boys...don't know if yours are like mine... but there is a little separation anxiety. A GREAT place to take them is to Deer Valley. Brennan has been there a few times and all experiences have been very positive. The good thing is that the child care and the ski lessons are in the same place. Once you register your child-have emergency contacts in mind and any allergies. What made me very comfortable is the security. You get an "invisible" stamp on your hand. In order to move into the child care area, your hand will be scanned and there is a person that must "buzz" you in through the door. As a parent, this makes you feel very secure.
There is a general play area with lots of ride on toys, jungle gym and everyones cubbys. There are indivual rooms for the age of the child in a different area. Since Brennan is still 2, we head to the Big Tot room. Problem...it is nap time at 12:30 and he isn't interested. Now, if everyone else is sleeping and your child doesn't, there are movies and quiet time to be had. Bren found all the trucks and toys and was happy until I was leaving. OH OH!! Scream!!!!!!!!!!! I'm thinking "please don't wake everyone up". I left and was informed he didn't cooperate too well. But, with professional caregivers, they did their thing and I was able to go out to ski-sorry guys.
The child care facility is a great option for those that have young ones and want to spend the day skiing. They will take them as young as 2 months! You drop them in the AM before the lifts open and pick them up by 4:30. They will also coordinate with ski school. If you have a 3 year and they are potty trained (sorry Brennan, not yet), there is a Fawn program. This is an hour long private lesson coordinated with the day care staff. Your child can get out and get the feel of their skis and boots.
Since Emily is in the weekly lessons, she is doing her thing in the Bambi program. Quite a blustery, snowy day, so she just stayed on the bunny hill. But...doing great!! Love the fact that it is one instructor to 2 kids. Next lesson...straight to the green slopes with the "big boys".
Couple of hints on equipment. First off, make sure the boots are fitting correctly. When we were fitted at Ski n' See, they took the childs liner OUT of the boot and then put it on. You can see if there is enough room in the boot. You don't want it too big as their foot will move around. When it's snowing, get your child a gator! If you don't know what that is...find out!! Ski n' See will have plenty! It is like a big fleece "sock" around your neck. NEVER use a scarf. Would be scary to imagine what could happen if those dangling ends got stuck.
So, next week...off to the green slopes for Emily and she just got a fresh wax on her skis. With our season rentals at Ski n' See, they do it for free!! Can't beat that.
Skiing is awesome now with all this new snow!! I've been trying to get out as much as possible. Carrying kids and equipment...I'm tired before I start. Ok, say it...I must be out of shape. That's why at Deer Valley, you get the shuttle from the parking lot!
Sometimes a little bribe helps....a 2 year old lesson at Brighton
Posted by Jodi Saeland on December 21, 2009
After a successful lesson with Emily at Brighton, we decided to give it a try with Brennan. Since we had success with Gina, I requested her to teach Brennan. With the little guys, it's all about FUN. Let's make it FUN. Emily was easy, bonded with Gina and took off. Could Brennan do that? NOOO! Gina greeted him and was happy and friendly; Brennan turns his head and wouldn't look. Ok, now what...we've driven all the way here, I am a DEDICATED Mom and don't even have my skis. It is an ugly inversion in the Salt Lake Valley and we can breath easy up in the mountains. (That whole inversion thing is for another blog.) Brennan gets a little stuffed horse to bond with..it's working! We head outside and grab the skis to walk to the lift. Of course, I carry him since he won't look at Gina. How many of you have one like this? :)
2 good things: he has his boots on and is standing in the snow. No to the skis yet. You have to ask yourself if they will do better with or without you. We try with at first since he likes Mom around. Not working...so I get out of sight. Still not working. Gina is VERY patient and now at least he's talking to her, but laying in the snow. I head back and decide it's time for ultimatums. He likes to be outside, doesn't want to go home. I give him a choice...put skis on and go up lift like a big boy or go home. Well, no choice there...on go the skis and mission accomplished.
Now, if you've ever watched your little guy or gal at 2 go up a big lift..well, let's just say I was so proud. He slid his feet up to the lift, Gina lifted him on and I now had the little horse and camera in hand as Brennan was heading up the mountain.
I watched as Gina had his hands and was having him slide his feet. The edgie wedgies were on and he was trying. (more on different types of edgie wedgies in another blog). Finally, Gina put him between her legs and held him under his arms and away they went down the hill. He wasn't crying, he held his weight up and was willing to go again. Gina said at that age, the toughest thing is their balance. She said it was good he held his own weight vs just leaning on her. OK, if you've ever tried to ski down a hill holding a child...takes certain muscles...of which I don't have...so THANKS GINA! So, work on balance with your little ones...slide their feet around outside...even at your house or the bottom of the ski hill. Let them get used to the feel of it and walking in skis.
One more time down, stuffed horse goes this time. After that, he's done. Gina promised hot chocolate, so good incentive. And of course...the button! I refered to the button in the last blog...a reward for their efforts. They get stickers every time they accomplish something. Brennan... well, he slid his feet, wasn't quite stopping, but got on the lift. In my opinion, a success. I don't think I could have gotton him on that lift. If you're a great skier and have the strength and patience and if your child will listen to you, give it a go. I'm thankful that Brighton had taken Brennan as a 2 year old. No, he's not potty trained, no it wasn't for longer than an hour; but at that age, those little legs are tired. If you come to Utah and wonder if YOUR 2 year old can try this, let me know. Give them a call at Brighton and set up a private lesson. I can now try to work on his sliding around. How much did he grasp...I think he remembers because he's mentioned his skiing. Emily is going again and he wants to go too. A good sign!
Have a wonderful Christmas...we'll be celebrating it in the mountains. More snow is headed our way...I made a deal with Mother Nature and Santa. ( I have that power as a Meteorologist:)
