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In preparation for your child's first day on snow, it’s vital to check the ski school employs a team of specially trained instructors who have experience and love to look after children aged 3–5 years. On day 1 you should witness an immediate connection between your child and the instructor. Young children may arrive at the meeting point on the first day with hesitation, confusion, and often a few tears. However, this should not last long – as soon as they put on their “Altitude Racing Bib” and meet “Patrick the Polar Bear”, the tears and missing mum and dad should be forgotten. > Control & Safety Of The Group Do the kids leave the meeting point in control and style? Hopefully with a human train, conga line, or perhaps a pirate ship … singing a few songs … Wheels on the Bus. > Fun Warm-Up Games Watch from afar and see if the instructors start with some fun games and exercises to warm-up those little muscles, ready for a big morning of skiing. Some of Altitude instructors’ favourites include What’s The Time Mr Wolf, Musical Statues, and Chase The Polar Bear. > Teaching The Techniques Skiing development should not be rushed and should start in a kid’s garden, a private section on the nursery slope that is cornered off, and filled with toys and games to help the students learn and have fun. Day one should include scooting around with just one ski, and then swapping onto the other leg. This is great fun for the little ones as they get the feel for the snow and sliding around. After this, they might start to use the green carpet to learn side-stepping and straight running (sliding down with both skis straight). Following this, instructors will start to work on the “pizza” shape (snowplough) – this is the shape made with the skis to help the children to slow down, stop, and turn. > A Job Well Done! Every good school will have a prize-giving at the end of the week to celebrate the children’s accomplishments. Your children should leave the week with their badges proudly pinned to their ski jackets, ready to tell their friends at home all about their skiing adventures.

Columns

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Your Child’s First Day On Snow & What To Expect

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Ski Tips from Westy at Altitude Verbier

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//Feature

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Your Personal Nightclub

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