Beginner children skiers should always have a private lesson. The first and biggest reason is safety. The instructor will ride with the student every time, and until a child can get on and off by themselves they should never ride alone. Some resorts have young students in group lessons using rope tows or a "magic carpet." That would be great if the only place you wanted your child to ski was the beginner area. Students are also safer coming down the hill in a private lesson. The instructor can concentrate on the one student, watch for obstacles, and help, encourage, and congratulate when necessary. The lesson is geared to that student alone, and isn't controlled by the skill level or bladder of another student.
Private lessons are also best for adults, but the Winter Sports School does do group beginner lessons for ages seven and up. Why seven? Most seven year olds are tall enough to get on and off the purple beginner chair by themselves.
This picture was from an article in The Graphic several years ago. The article talked about the great ski lessons you can sign your child up for at area resorts in Northern Michigan. I wish I still had the picture from the Nub's Nob private lesson. It showed an instructor and child just after loading the purple chairlift and both were grinning ear to ear. Which beginner do you think improved the most by the end of their lesson: the one on the purple chair, or any of the kids in this picture?
No comments:
Post a Comment