Are you coming to Ovronnaz for your ski holidays? Do you have lots of questions about ski lessons? Are you hesitating to leave your child on their own, or wondering whether group or private lessons would be the better option?
No worries! We asked all these questions to our Swiss Ski School, the local experts, to help advise you and prepare you as well as possible for your stay.
Skiing is for everyone!
There is no ideal age to start skiing. What really matters when choosing the right moment is a child’s desire to try. Even though every future skier has their own personality, strengths and weaknesses, the Swiss Ski School observes that, in general, progress is not the same at 2, 7 or 14 years old.
For the youngest children, the main goal is to discover sliding on snow, without any major technical expectations — just having fun! From around 3.5 to 4 years old, the Swiss Ski School can begin teaching basic snowplough techniques. After a few attempts and a bit of patience, young skiers can become independent on blue slopes. As children grow older, their motor skills and attention span improve. Between the ages of 7 and 12, rapid progress can often be expected. With the arrival of adolescence, growth-related changes can sometimes affect coordination. In addition, a growing awareness of “danger” may slow down some young skiers. No need to worry: being aware of risks helps limit dangerous behaviour. Always remain positive and supportive to help them through their doubts.
Children’s equipment: buy or rent?
Children grow quickly. Renting is therefore the most reliable solution.
It is of course possible to find second-hand equipment at very attractive prices, but the quality of the skis and the accuracy of the settings cannot be guaranteed.
Some large families also assume that equipment bought for the eldest child can be passed down to the younger ones. This is often a false economy. The chances that boot sizes — and even ski lengths — will match the growth of each child are quite low. Skiing in boots that are too big or on “toy skis” just to save a bit of money can quickly become a real ordeal.
Moreover, when you rent equipment directly at the resort, help is immediately available if any problem arises.
Real skiing starts with the right equipment
Short skis (“patinettes”) — small, short skis usually used with winter boots —, just like sledges, are toys. They allow you to slide, which is fun, but that’s about it. Learning how to ski properly with this type of equipment is difficult.
To learn how to ski, you need real skis. For beginners, they should be neither too long nor too short: a length between the chin and the top of the chest is ideal. Proper ski boots are also essential. This is perhaps the main drawback of patinettes: the boots. Even if they are designed for snow and winter conditions, they do not provide enough support for practicing “real” skiing.
Parents: letting go to support learning
To begin with, it is important to share any concerns with the ski instructor. He or she will be able to reassure you by explaining how the lesson will be organised.
Next, it is essential that parents step back. Watching your child’s first ski runs is absolutely fine, but you should avoid interacting with them. There is no need to pass on your own stress: the child needs to focus on the person responsible for their learning, not on their parents. With very young children, the first few minutes can be emotional, but it is worth giving them the chance to calm down and enjoy the lesson. If mum or dad stays close by, it is very unlikely to work.
A short debrief after the lesson can also help prepare for future classes.
And in Ovronnaz, how does it work?
For beginners, everything is designed to ensure a smooth start to skiing. In the village, a baby lift is available to take your first steps on skis. Equipped with a rope, it is easy to use and perfectly suited for beginners. What’s more, it is completely free, allowing you to build confidence without any pressure.
Once the basics have been mastered and you feel more comfortable, you can move up to the ski area. The Baby Jorasse (a small drag lift) also helps make the transition before tackling red slopes. Our ski area is made up almost entirely of chairlifts, which avoids the difficulties often associated with drag lifts or button lifts. This way, you can focus on what really matters: skiing and enjoying yourself.
