Teaching Our Daughter To Ski At Three Years Old

“The helmet is too tickly,” my daughter whined, as we stood in the ski rental shop getting kitted out for her first day skiing. She had already tried on a red, orange and black helmet. Now we were back at the red one and not even a lollipop, kindly offered by the owner, cheered her up. It had all started relatively well. She got some ‘golden boots’ (like Peppa Pig) and she was very pleased with her pink and white skis. But, the helmet was a step too far and her attempts to swerve the inevitable didn’t wash. We gathered the equipment together and left, no doubt the owner thinking we’d soon be back. But we weren’t. Fortunately, that was the only glitch in her first day learning to ski.

All kitted out for first day skiing
All kitted out for her first day skiing
We made our way to the bottom of the slopes in Morzine, France, neither my husband nor I really knowing how the day would unfold. Would there be tears, tantrums or squeals of joy? Over the past few weeks, we had asked her about whether she would like to go skiing and she seemed very keen, especially after seeing her cousins go off to do it. We felt she was ready and she seemed to think the same.

Mrs T and daddy embark on the first ski lesson

After finding a relatively flat slope, lesson one with daddy began. I was on hand – sans skis – to record the landmark occasion on camera and film. It certainly felt like a very special moment in our family. I felt immensely proud – of both of them. Seeing my husband, who last year was advised he should not ski again after heart surgery, teach our daughter a new skill was a wonderful scene to witness and see my daughter take to it so well made me immensely happy!

On the slopes as a family

And she did really well! We started with daddy holding her between his legs so she could get the hang of being on skis and snow and the lack of friction involved. Then, we got her doing a short distance on her own – progressing to a longer stretch. In fact, she was the one who wanted to go a little further and “ski over to mummy”.

Mrs T with her daddy on the slopes

After around 40 minutes at the bottom of the slopes, we headed higher up the mountain in the cable car – an activity which is always a hit with Mrs T.

Despite sunshine at the bottom of mountain, as we ascended higher, the fog set in and it started to get colder. We did a few runs on a small slope and she began to get the hang of putting her hands on her knees while she was skiing so her momentum was going forward and she kept her balance really well. She even went on the drag lift with daddy.

Mrs T goes on the drag lift with daddy

After a couple more goes and a bit of a fall before going on said lift (with tears) we retired to a nearby restaurant for soup and a well deserved hot chocolate for our little lady which she happily devoured!

Mrs T has a well deserved hot chocolate after her first day skiing

As we made our way back to the cable car we waved daddy off as he went to ski the last run. Well, you should have heard the commotion!

“I want to do skiing,” she moaned. “I want to go skiing with my daddy,” she exclaimed even louder, tears starting to fall. “I don’t want to go on the cable car!”

If she had been able, she would have stamped her foot. I eventually persuaded her she did want to go on the cable car while reassuring her there would be more skiing tomorrow. Of course, I was delighted that she had liked the day so much she didn’t want to stop – always a good sign!

Beautiful sunshine in Avoriaz

Her second lesson happened the next day. It was a beautiful sunny day and we based ourselves at the bottom of the mountain which goes up to Avoriaz town. It was a nursery slope but still a bit too advanced for our three year old.

Wander Dad teaches Mrs T how to ski in the French Alps

After realising she wouldn’t learn very much on such an incline, we stayed at the bottom of the slope and she was going further and faster…putting her hands on her knees and everything. I was very impressed with her balance and when she stopped, or got stuck in the snow, she was able to get herself going again.

Wander Dad teaches Mrs T how to ski in the French Alps

We tried to teach her the snow plough position and although she started to understand, I think it will take a bit longer for her to fully grasp how to stop and get the hang of her ‘edges’. In the meantime, there’s daddy’s arms!

Mrs T learns to ski

Daddy as ‘teacher’ did a great job. Not known for his patience, he was very good with her and we had strangers complimenting him on how well he was teaching her, remarking in particular on his patience! It was quite a different experience from skiing holidays when he has taught our friends – when a quick lesson is followed by a blue run and then often a red!

But, I am so proud of my daughter and her new adventure on skis. She picked it up so quickly and seeing her enjoy a pastime that my husband and I love so much has been really special.  Despite the initial issue with the helmet (which was clearly messing up her fab curly hair), by the second day she barely noticed it and there were no complaints. I am very much looking forward to more time on the slopes as a family. It can be exhausting (my husband can vouch for that) but seeing her enjoyment, sense of achievement at her new skiing skills and hearing those squeals of joy – made it all worth it.

Mrs T with her skis on the slopes
Looking cool on the slopes
Check out my little film of Mrs T’s progression on skis over two days.

Best of Worst

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Life Unexpected


SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

For the latest news, posts and competitions sent directly to your inbox -
sign up below:


*You can view our privacy policy here


Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

40 Comments
    1. Thanks Sarah…I know, they look so cute – but it slightly frightening at the same time (especially the French kids who whizz past you on the slopes).

    1. Thanks Sarah, she really did feel proud and pleased with herself which obviously made me even more proud of her. Looking forward to more family ski trips. Thanks for hosting #bestandworst

  1. What a great skill for your daughter to learn early on! Speaking as someone who’s only had a few lessons as an adult, it’s so much harder to learn as a grown up. Looks like a fab outing for your family ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Thanks Cathy…I was quite afraid she wouldn’t like it so I’m very pleased it is the other way around (although its early days)!

    1. Thanks Wendy! It’s a lot less scary when you know you can help them on the ski slope…although she doesn’t have a lot of fear which could get a but worrying as she gets older and more adventurous.

  2. This is so, so cute!!!!! I can’t believe she can ski and she’s 3, that’s so impressive. It sounds like such a lovely little holiday away. And definitely a much deserved soup and hot chocolate after the first day. She did so well. The hot chocolate looks delicious. So sweet that she wanted to do more skiing. It’s amazing she picked it up so fast and such a lovely bonding experience with her and her dad. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather xx
    Chloe recently posted…CURIOUS LITTLE EXPLORERS #10My Profile

  3. Aww, you must be so proud, of both of them! I LOVE the video, you get a real sense of her progression through from not moving much to skiing down happily. She’ll be an expert skier in no time. She definitely does have a gorgeous head of curls, no wonder the helmet tickled a little, so cute though in her ski gear. Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather xx

    1. Thank you Jenny! I’m so pleased I was there to take lots of pics and video… think she’ll love looking back on it when she is a pro skier…haha. Thanks for hosting #whatevertheweather xx

  4. I’m so envious of your holiday in this gorgeous location. We always head to Bulgaria cheap and cheerful for us! A really lovely post to read and it’s given us a little hope that we could possibly finally go skiing next year when our little babes are the same age as your daughter, I am nervous though x

  5. Lovely blog and great pics! We are in Morzine at the moment and hope our little boy will take to skiing too ๐Ÿ™‚ where did you find best for starting to learn, was near the Pleney lift good?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CommentLuv badge

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

%d bloggers like this: