Kids skiing solo

[Kimmyt]

I'm wondering when you all started letting your kids ski without parents along? I wasn't planning on this so soon, but I have a 6th and 4th grader who are strong skiers and our family has had terrible luck this year which resulted in my husband and I being unable to ski all season due to injuries. I've missed the window on getting them into the seasonal ski programs for kids at the mtn we have passes at because my husband's injury was very recent, so I'm trying to figure out how to get them out. My oldest is a pretty responsible kid who is risk averse but I also know that pairing him with his sister could result in friction and I'm not sure how to go about this season. They may be able to tag along a few days with friends who arent as strong of skiers but I'm starting to wonder about the logistics of letting them ski solo with some rules in place, so that we can get them out a few more days.

 

[Tvan]

I don't have kids, so take these ideas for what they’re worth, but here are a few brainstorms:

- Hire a guide or companion through the ski school
- Find a teen / college aged babysitter who skis and hire them to ski with your kids for a day or two (i realize that insurance might be an issue)
- Let them ski alone with some rules - check in with Mom every 2 runs, for example.
- is there a local ski club that has a kids program they could join?

I’m sure others parents have had this challenge and I bet others will chime in with ideas.

 

[diymom]

Any chance the local seasonal program has a wait list? I would write them a note asking about a wait list and explaining the situation, and that you don't want your kids to have to miss a ski season because of your injuries. Worth a shot in any case.

 

[RachelV]

My coworker, who lives in Middlebury VT, has let his son take bus and ski alone at Middlebury Snowbowl since he was 12. It's a tiny place, and my coworker can see him on the webcams they have at the base of the hill, so he does check in a little bit that way.

Anyways, I don't have any first hand experience with this, but that's a data point for you. I can't believe you have a middle schooler! Holy moly, time is passing.

 

[DebbieSue]

We let our kids ski a few runs solo while we were having coffee, booting up etc etc when they were 5th and 6th grade (they are 17 months apart in age) if the resort was familiar, as long as they stuck together. They could do half-days on their own by the time they were 12 and 13 again at familiar mountains, with midday lodge meetup. Mine were pretty compatible, and rule abiding, and still enjoy skiing together at 25 and 26. I worry about anyone skiing "alone" these days although I know many people prefer that. If the friction is an issue, then maybe solo skiing with frequent check-ins with each other or with parent in the lodge. You said the elder is responsible and risk averse. If the younger sister is a "free spirit" than that could be a problem for the elder and for her own solo skiing.
Definitely talk to the director of the seasonal program too.

 

[Skac1919]

We let our kids ski a few runs solo while we were having coffee, booting up etc etc when they were 5th and 6th grade (they are 17 months apart in age) if the resort was familiar, as long as they stuck together.

we’ve done the same around age 9/10 at the small local hill, on the runs we can see from the lodge. Have to stay together, wait for each other at the bottom of the same lift, and no double-blacks or glades. They also go fully independently on the terrain park J bar and lift.

There is surprisingly less friction when it’s just the two of them. They’d rather be “independent” and getting along than be stuck back with mom.

 

[marzNC]

I had the advantage of having a small hill for our home resort. We would invite a friend of my daughter for long weekends. They were not as good at skiing. So by the time she was a tween, I was comfortable letting the girls ski alone. Back then cell phones weren't as common for kids. I got her an on-demand flip phone for texting. With smartphones that have the ability to track locations, I assume that's helpful.

 

[Kimmyt]

My husband and I chatted about options for if they wanted to get a ski day in and we can't find friends they can tag along with. I think we might start slow by going up to the mtn we have a pass at , its not teeny but its pretty easy to navigate. So we might try and have them take 3 runs off of only the base lifts then meet back up with me at the lodge, then a few more etc etc. Also starting in the next few weeks because there still isnt a ton of terrain open, so that will help limit their options. Luckily the resort we ski at doesn't have a ton of trees so they wont be tempted into those and we already said no double blacks. They aren't super excited about skiing with out us, but if they really get desperate for a ski day we will try. They also both have gps and phone enabled watches, I just need to check if there is service for them on the mtn.

Will also send an email to the director of the ski program, but most kids programs in the area sell out super fast, so I doubt anything will be available.

 

[snoWYmonkey]

A cell phone where you can track them throughout the day as well as a handwritten piece of paper inside their jacket with your name and contact information are an absolute must if they are skiing alone! Better yet the phone number on a sticker on their helmet. If they're young enough to allow you to do that. I have come across siblings that were relatively young or one was in a pretty dire situation and the younger brother did not know to yell out to me and it was only because I looked more carefully that I realized what a pickle his sister was in. If there's any head injury or even regular injury we all regress a few years in terms of our functioning capacity to figure out a solution to our problem. I think of this as insurance for something you will hopefully never need your child to deal with but it makes anybody who has to help them more successful.

 

[wernerslab]

A cell phone where you can track them throughout the day as well as a handwritten piece of paper inside their jacket with your name and contact information are an absolute must if they are skiing alone! Better yet the phone number on a sticker on their helmet. If they're young enough to allow you to do that. I have come across siblings that were relatively young or one was in a pretty dire situation and the younger brother did not know to yell out to me and it was only because I looked more carefully that I realized what a pickle his sister was in. If there's any head injury or even regular injury we all regress a few years in terms of our functioning capacity to figure out a solution to our problem. I think of this as insurance for something you will hopefully never need your child to deal with but it makes anybody who has to help them more successful.

I like this idea of putting my info and husband's info on a piece of paper in one of my son's pockets. Our phones usu don't have good connectivity for calls on the mountain but the tracking apps do a pretty good job. I really haven't been willing to let him go solo on the mountain yet but he is older than the OPs kids so this year it will happen. It helps that this summer he was downhill biking without me and was ok bc other riders would stop and help if they saw him. I think the same for skiers/boarders. I also have him keep a whistle in his pocket too (both skiing and biking) so he can get attention if needed.

 

[Aerlind]

When I was a kid (mid-1990s to early 2000s), I was skiing solo by the time I was in 6th grade at Loveland in Colorado. My mom required that I check in with her every other run, while she sat in the lodge, where she could also see me from time to time. She also asked Ski Patrol to keep an eye out for me, but that’s a unique ask since she was only a couple years out from retiring from patrol there so she knew everyone (and most of them knew me). This was of course before cell phones, so realistically I was checking in at the lodge every 20-30 minutes, at most. Knowing my mother I’m sure I also had to tell her what lift I was headed out on next, but I don’t remember that detail.

If I were to do the same with my very non-existent children, I would make sure they knew my phone number/it was on a helmet/pocket/whatever. Also that they know what the employees look like, and that it’s always ok to ask an adult for help, even if they’re just random people out there skiing. Make sure they know how to contact ski patrol. And make sure you’re near YOUR phone! That last one is because my SO and I rescued three very small (as in, the oldest was maybe 8) children who had been separated from their parents. Luckily we’re both skilled skiers and were able to get them to the base, but only one knew a phone number, and it was his mom’s number, and Mom never answered….Dad eventually showed up but the poor kids were very scared, though uninjured.

 

[McJoy]

This community is so great for advice. I have a 2nd grader so we’re not there yet. But one thing that I didn’t see mentioned yet is an apple AirTag in each kids ski pocket. I’ve heard they’re pretty accurate on ski mountains. My daughter is in a seasonal program this year but we ordered one for her pocket just to be able to see where she is. We also have an old Apple Watch (the battery life may not survive even the half day of her program) but we’re thinking of adding it back to our plan and showing her how to talk to text on it if needed.
I will also say that another family with a 2nd grader who skis a much smaller mountain with a contained beginner area is considering letting their 2nd grader ski that area independently with an air tag for tracking.
I know times have changed drastically since the 90s but I skied with middle school friends, siblings, cousins without any parental supervision or check-ins all day from 6th grade I think. On Feb vacation my mom would tell us where the lunch cooler was stashed in the lodge to get our sandwiches. We always had a blast.
What is your home mountain? Maybe there are divas here with kids at that mountain? Or does your mt have a fb community page where you could post looking for similar age/ability kids who are seeking ski buddies for independent skiing?

 

[snoWYmonkey]

I forgot to mention it in my firstvpost, but better than all the tech in the world is running some mock scenario drills where kids ask for help from strangers. I was painfully shy and I have wotnessed other kids who won't speak up especially if they were taught not to speak to strangers. If an injury or incident has happened our brains sometimes do a partial shut down and drilling in the steps that you'd want them to follow is super helpful for the kid and those who might be called on to assist. I had a kid follow the wrong instructor. He skied down to guest services and had them find my number and call me. Smart kid.

 

[teppaz]

If the kids carry cell phones, you can also enter the ski patrol number and put it in favorites or something like that, just in case they need to reach out.

 

[Kimmyt]

Thanks all these are some great suggestions! Our kids have been skiing with airtags in their pockets for ages, my husband puts them in everything lol. My oldest has an apple watch and we will definitely add ski patrol's phone number to it. My daughter has a phone enabled watch as well but it is much more buttoned down and only really able to call us with it ( we usually only have her use it when she bikes to friends houses by herself etc), but maybe I can add ski patrols number as well and we can practice a call to me as ski patrol so they know how to handle it in case there is an issue. Will definitely plan to go over how to ask adults or patrol for help on the slopes as well. Luckily they have some experience, particularly the older one, riding chair lifts by themselves but I did stress that they are to put the bar down every time. And I think I have done a good job of instilling slope ettiquette in them but I'll probably also go over that as well as I find most kids need frequent reminders anyway.

Our passes are at Loveland, and that resort is pretty easy to navigate especially if we tell the kids they can't ski 9 or 8 which are the ones that are farther up the mountain. Likely we would start them just off the few base lifts and then go from there as the ski season progresses.

Of course if anyone seeing this also skis Loveland and wants to ski w my kids, there would probably be lunch on the mtn in it for you.... ;)

 

[pinto]

I had the advantage of having a small hill for our home resort. We would invite a friend of my daughter for long weekends. They were not as good at skiing. So by the time she was a tween, I was comfortable letting the girls ski alone. Back then cell phones weren't as common for kids. I got her an on-demand flip phone for texting. With smartphones that have the ability to track locations, I assume that's helpful.

We did that too when daughter was only 8 or 9. It was basically for just in case she got lost -- which she did, once.

I actually can't remember the ages we let them go alone. We were always on the hill, though, so it's maybe a little different feeling? I would say definitely by middle school though. I mean, I was definitely skiing alone in middle school, but that was in the dark ages.... And my kids are um around 30 now, so um jfc ...