The Littlest Skiers

For another perspective on this question, I turned to a couple who have expertise with kids both on and off the slopes. Dave Merriam is director of the ski and snowboard school at Stowe Mountain Resort, and coach of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Demo Team. His wife Eva is a former US Ski Team member. They are parents of Lucy, four, and Hannah, two. Both kids had their first experience on skis Lucy at two, Hannah at 18 months with descents of the family driveway.

"It's snowplay. It's not 'Oh, I'm going skiing with my two-year old child,'" insists Dave.

Eva explains that she and her daughters ski one or two runs at Stowe. "That's just right. To take three runs is a big deal for them."

"I would caution parents who want to have kids ski really young not to have big expectations," says Eva. "It's easy to get all excited about taking kids skiing, only to discover that you can't even get on the lift. You have to be prepared for that."

Dave echoes his wife: "Parental expectations are key. We try to layer the experience on a child in way that they don't get overwhelmed. Just getting used to playing out in the snow for a few hours is new enough for many kids."

"People who live skiing tend to start kids at age three or four," Eva notes. "That's probably the going age for introducing kids." Dave confirms that the Stowe ski school begins teaching skiing to kids as young as 3. If they're not potty trained, just surviving the lift ride may be a challenge.

Tips for Tots

A few more suggestions from the skiing Merriams:

• "The deciding factor is that they want to do it," advises Eva. "It's fine to expose them to it. But you just have to know your child, what they like and what they're ready to do."
• For very young kids, consider bringing a sled to drag both equipment and children around. And if the skiing doesn't go over well, the sled may be a hit.
• For newcomers to skiing, expose the kids to the equipment before they get to ski area. Have the kids walk around the living room or the yard with their skis on.
• While kids can start skiing at a very young age, snowboarding is best left until they are six or seven, says Dave. That's the age when a child can move their upper and lower body independently, which is key for snowboarding.
• "Pay attention to the weather," says Eva. "They only need to have one new thing. Make sure the experience is good, because that's what it's all about. Remember, you're introducing them to something fun!"