Skiing With Kids: Expert Tips for Ski Parents
Teaching kids to ski doesn't have to be a battle of wills at the top of a run, a meltdown in the lift line, or a day that ends with everyone in tears — including you.
Welcome to Skiing with Kids, the podcast for every ski parent who wants to raise kids who genuinely love the mountain. I'm Jessica Averett, a professional ski expert with over 20 years of experience teaching kids to ski, a mom of five kids I taught to ski before age three, and someone who has spent two decades watching families transform their ski days from stressful to spectacular.
Whether you're trying to teach kids to ski for the very first time, troubleshoot why your six-year-old suddenly hates skiing, or figure out how to actually enjoy a ski day instead of just surviving it — this is your show.
Each episode, I'm bringing you real, practical, been-there-done-that advice on skiing with kids at every age and stage. We'll dig into ski technique, gear that actually works, how to handle the hard days on the mountain, resort tips, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference when you're a ski parent trying to raise confident little skiers.
No fluff. No generic advice. Just honest, expert guidance from someone who has taught thousands of kids to ski and raised five of her own — and knows that the best ski days of your family's life are absolutely possible.
This is Skiing with Kids. Let's get your family on the mountain.
Skiing With Kids: Expert Tips for Ski Parents
First Hour Strategies for Stress-Free Family Skiing
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If you've ever had a ski day fall apart before 10am, this episode is for you. Jessica breaks down why the first hour of the ski day is the single biggest factor in how the day goes — and why this is true whether your kids are brand new to skiing or already ripping down black diamonds. Every ski parent needs to hear this one.
What You'll Learn
- Why rushing through the morning is the #1 mistake parents make when they teach kids to ski — and exactly what to do instead
- How to use a simple 4-step framework that covers everything from parking lot energy to the first run, giving you real family skiing tips you can use this weekend
- Why the warm-up looks different depending on your child's level — and why even advanced kids need an intentional start to their ski day
- What's actually happening when children learning to ski suddenly "fall apart" mid-day (hint: it started way before the meltdown)
- How to build the kind of confidence on the mountain that makes kids want to come back — the foundation of how to ski with kids in a way that actually sticks
Resources & Links
Want a complete plan for skiing with your kids — not just tips, but a real system? Check out First Tracks: A Parent's Guide to Teaching Kids to Ski at skiingkid.com. It's everything Jessica teaches as a professional ski instructor, built specifically for parents.
Key Takeaway
"You're not just raising a skier. You're raising a kid who feels confident on the mountain. And those years matter more than you think."
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:25 Why the First Hour Matters
02:27 How Parents Create Pressure
03:49 Kids Nervous System Basics
06:04 Warmup Runs That Work
09:44 First Hour Three Steps
11:40 Momentum and Mindset
13:09 Family Story and Lessons
15:28 Slow Starts Win
16:05 Final Takeaways and Next Steps
Skiing with Kids is hosted by Jessica Averett, a ski instructor and mom of five who has spent more than 20 years helping kids learn to ski. This podcast helps parents create calmer, happier ski days by focusing on confidence, connection, and simple strategies that actually work with kids on the mountain. She's the founder of First Tracks: A Parent's Guide to Teaching Kids to Ski, a course that walks parents through everything they need to know to skip overpriced ski school and confidently teach their own kids to ski.
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More Skiing with Kids Resources
For more tips, gear reviews, and ski parenting advice visit Skiing Kids
You can find me on Instagram @theadventuretravelfam
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Free Guide for Ski Parents
Want to avoid the biggest mistakes most parents make when teaching their kids to ski?
Download the free guide:
The Most Common Mistakes Ski Parents Make (and How to Fix Them)
https://skiiingkids.myflodesk.com/ffy45squub
This quick guide will help you avoid the common ski day meltdowns and create a much smoother experience for your kids on the mountain.