Advice From the Purple Chair: No Sherpas

When a child is just about to learn to ski, carry their skis for them. At this point you don't want them tiring out. Once they have learned how and love it, it is time to stop being their Sherpa. Schlepping your own equipment around is part of skiing. When you go in to warm up, offer to pick up one ski. They can get the other. When walking to the lift, have them carry one end of the skis. If they are big enough to have poles, offer to carry them. Kids usually like to help out, and carrying something while wearing ski boots builds their strength and coordination.