Teenagers in the Snow
Skiing and snowboarding, one of the best chances to bond with your teen . Or is it? By their very nature they may want to ditch you first chance they get at the snow as they experiment with independence and let’s face it – you’re embarrassing them by merely breathing near them, so here are 7 tips to help you teen-wrangle on your upcoming snow trip.
- Are they reluctant about going to the snow?
If it’s the sport itself, engage a cool young instructor to explore the hill with. Either as a private lesson, or for cost-effectiveness, share a group private lesson if it’s with their friends. Let them try snowboarding if they’re a skier (or vice versa) to keep them engaged and challenged and excited about learning and exploring. It will get them participating in conversations more meaningfully if the talk turns to snowboarding (or the skiing) because they’re now doing it. They might just get inspired by top level snow athletes and get inspired to improve.
- Do they refuse to ski or ride with you?
Put them in a group of some sort. A group will get them pushing each other in a fun way, if that’s how they like it. There are also skills camps in most resorts that will push their learning and keep them amongst people their age to keep things interesting for them. There’s improvement days run by passionate mentors, womens camps, weekend camps. Beginner splitfest days, beginner backcountry tours and intro backcountry days for older teen girls . Check each resort for what they offer.
- Are they experts and know-alls and a danger unto themselves?
Get them into an Avalanche course, they will eat humility at the incredible forces of nature within the first hour. An avi training course is a must for any young adult considering venturing ‘out’ or going to Japan or bigger resorts where there is a possibility they will make friends and join groups of mates heading out the back.
Avalanche Training Centre Thredbo
Over in NZ
3. Do they sit in sullen silence on the chair with you?
Let them chill out for sure but model the chairlift etiquette. Don’t worry – they’re taking it in even if they appear to be asleep. Model asking other people on the chair if it’s okay to put the bar down, ask others on the chair how their day is, ask the others if they’re ready to lift the bar up and wish everyone a great day as you ski or ride away. It will sink into some part of their brain, manners start with you so let’s show ‘em.
- Do they refuse to wear a helmet?
Let them choose a helmet they like, helmets are non-negotiable but if they feel part of the decision-making process it makes things easier. There is also the popular brand of helmet, Antiordinary deliberately made to look like the wearer just has a beanie on.
- Do they eat rubbish all day long?
Give them a backpack and / or water bladder and buy healthy food for them before the snow holiday. Protein squeezy yoghurts, dried fruit, hardy (non-swishy) fruit like apples. Sushi rolls, or hard wearing cracker biscuits with cheese, salami, or peanut butter or vegemite will keep the wolf from the door. A water bladder or a water bottle in bladder (flexi) style in their bag will at least keep them hydrated in between less healthy choices.
If you’re meeting them for lunch, suggest healthy choices -chicken or hot chilli (beef and beans meal) are substantial. Give them something filling and get ahead of the fries seed-oil and industrial salt fiesta. If your family is used to ‘little treats’ in the snow, bring healthier treat versions from home or from a nearby supermarket. There are healthy versions of chips, muesli bars and chocolate, treats, such as bliss balls made from healthy chocolate or dried fruit. Hot chocolate in a thermos made from healthy chocolate will beat a pink lemonade made with red food colouring that is banned in Europe – hands down.
- They want to ski or ride with mates and I worry
Get ahead of the game and identify places they can stop for a break that have pool tables or toilets or live music and tell them if they get cold or need the loo to stop there.
It’s part of their growing up for them to learn to manage their day. It’s always fascinating to hear teenagers playing pool with adults they just met in a chalet or dining area who don’t put up with nonsense from teenagers and pull them into line a little if need be. It takes a village to raise a kid. At least your teens stay warm and dry in between runs. The law of averages says skiers and boarders are decent citizens (Hey Suri – Do pedofiles or mass murderers ski?) It beats having them lying in freezing snow somewhere and at least they’ll be warm and they can tell you where to find them when you phone them.
- Night skiing is where it’s at
Don’t tell your teenagers but night skiing is the ultimate controlled environment…supervisors, cameras, adults everywhere…Let ‘em go for it. Most resorts have night skiing twice a week, like a Wednesday and Saturday night and the teens love it. Cool music, hot laps, building jumps in the semi-dark. All while being active while you enjoy a hot chocolate, a wine or a few hot laps yourself. Beats walking around town smoking old ciggie butts like teenagers in the 80s.
Snow resorts are set up to support your family, not work against you so with a bit of faith your teens will beg you to take you back skiing or riding next year …and the year after…
