Your kid’s friend’s family is going on a ski adventure, and they’ve invited him/her to come along and try the sport for the first time. Fresh air, outdoor winter exercise and fun with friends. What parent would say no?

You should say yes. But with that yes comes responsibility. Setting your child up for a perfect ski escape comes with responsibility. Making sure your child (any age) is well equipped as well as safe on the slopes starts at home.

Before I get into tips on how to do it, here’s the story of a child we brought along on a long-ago trip whose parents did it wrong. When my then 11-year-old asked to bring this certain friend for a weekend trip, I called the mother to get information. Has she skied before? Oh, yes, quite a few times, I was told. Does she have equipment? Yes, all she needs, I was told. So I green lighted it and off we went.

My Spidey senses were on high alert when she didn’t really know how to put her ski boots on. Oh, and they didn’t seem to quite fit. “My mom borrowed the gear from a friend,” she admitted.
We headed to the lift and she skated there fine. But while riding up to the gentle but full on trail, her worry got the best of her.

“I’ve, I’ve … I’ve never skied before! My mom said not to tell you and just follow you to see what to do,” she said.

Good lord. There I was, on a lift heading to a trail I’d never start a newbie on.

Luckily I worked as an instructor for years, so I knew how to ski backwards while slowly guiding her to the base. I took her directly to the ski school and rental shop, got her gear that fit and enrolled her in a first-timer’s class.

Real starter lessons for kids make a huge difference in building their skills and understanding of safety on the hill. At Nashoba Valley in Westford, children are rewarded for mastering both. (Moira McCarthy photo)

That mom showed us how not to do it (and while I’m sure she thought she was helping her daughter have fun, she put her in danger). Seems crazy right? And yet, more often than not when friends tell me their kids are heading off to ski for the first time, other than the lying, they’re not too far from that scene. After all, skiing looks kind of easy to those who don’t ski.

Listen carefully: Skiing demands respect. It’s not a sport you should let your kids (or adult friends for that matter) figure out as they go. I sound shrill, I know. But when you allow a person to take up skiing the wrong way, you’re putting everyone out there in danger. Plus: It’s usually not that fun for the terrified newbie.

So how does a parent send a child off for a friend (or school, or church) ski trip with confidence they’ll be safe and have fun? Here are my tips on how to say yes to a trip for your kid in a way that makes it seamless for all.

Gear up: If you want to be an excellent support to the hosts, head to a nearby ski shop and have them fit your child for boots and skis. If there’s not one near you, call ahead to the resort your child will be visiting and get all the details for renting there and – if possible – fill out forms ahead of time (and don’t forget to pay for the rentals). Poles are not a must for newbies, and most kids do their first lesson without them. Older kids might demand them; that’s fine.

Rent a helmet too. Skiing without a helmet is wack. Plus, they’re warmer and more comfortable.

Soft good matter too: Invest in a good base layer; one that wicks and is thin but warm. You’ll also need a decent pair of ski pants and jacket, as well as actual ski socks, One layer is fine – double layer socks just make feet cold. Glove liners are a good idea, as is a neck gator. Unlike hard goods, soft goods are fine to borrow. But do make sure they fit.

Lessons are a must: Yes, your child is going on the trip to be with a friend, but do not – no matter the child’s ability – let the other child “show your kid” how to ski. Call ahead or go on line and book their ski lessons ahead of time, then let the host parents know what lesson and what time. Lessons teach how to ski, but also how to manage the mountain. Just like driving, skiers need to understand merging, right of way, speed control and more. Good instructors teach that from the get go.

Reading and knowing the trail maps and areas of the mountain is a great practice to teach kids of all ages. (Moira McCarthy photo)

Focus on fun: Study the resort website ahead of time so you know to send along a bathing suit if there’s a pool and snow boots for sledding – and any other things they may need for all the apres ski fun that’s out there.

It’s a lot of steps, sure. But your attention to detail and proper respect of the sport will guide your child to being a lifelong skier, and a smart one at that.

Best ways to say thank you

When my family and I – or my kids on their own – were invited to a friend’s ski house or with them on a ski trip, we always brought along a few things to make the trip great and make our hosts see that we truly appreciate them.

There are many great – and unique – ideas. LIke these:

Memorialize the trip: Ski frames are aplenty on sites like ETSY. Choose one you love and then, after the trip, print a picture of the gang on that trip. It’s a nice way to tell them this was an event worth remembering.

Gifting your hosts is a great move, Try these cute ski-themed items from Massachusetts-based company 1620 Designs (Courtesy photo)

Feed the crowd: Whip up your favorite casserole and/or dessert and send or bring it along to take care of dinner one night after skiing. The tired hosts will be delighted. And make it in a dish that they can keep as an extra thank you.

Find bonus fun: Study the region the trip will be in, find a fun alternate to skiing activity, and purchase a gift card for that adventure. Even if they don’t use it on that trip, they can another time. Think sleigh rides, night tubing, ice skating or a nice warm movie theater night.

Give them a post-trip ski day: Purchase a gift card for a ski area they’ve yet to discover and offer to come along. For Bay Stater’s, after-school skiing at Wachusett Mountain is a great choice, and you can purchase gift cards for any amount at www.wachusett.com

Decorate their home: We skiers love a nice ski home decor item, even if we don’t have a ski home. My living room is where my ski decor lives and I love sitting in there and dreaming of the mountains. Great idea? Personalized ski trail signs. The fabulous 1620 Designs (https://1620designs.com/) creates amazing signs – and ships anywhere.