Skiing with Kids.

Where do any of you getting the 'pint-sized' gear?

The best way is to network with friends who have skiing kids a little older than yours. So far it has worked better for us than the 2nd hand shops, I think.

As far as touring gear goes, that's a little tougher. I have all sorts of old gear laying around my basement that I've been able to adapt for my son. If you're looking at alpine touring, the best bet would be to find a used pair of either Alpine Trekkers or old Ramer bindings. I'm not sure where to find them though. Maybe post a note in the Yardsale forum on turns-all-year.

My son (now 14) started on tele gear at age 9. After the lift season ended, we did a few days climbing for turns at Alpental, and he was really game for it. Starting at age 10, we'd make "post season" trips to Chinook Pass, Sunrise Chutes, or Paradise. Now he's the one who starts asking every Monday or Tuesday whether the forecast looks good for the next weekend. At 14, he'll climb 4K or more on a day trip (his climbing range goes up as mine goes down, and they're just about to cross). Of course, his descents have been faster and smoother than mine for a long time. When conditions are a bit difficult, he leads and then yells back up to me to tell me if I can handle it!

During the lift-served season, we still ski primarily lift-served (Alpental BC). But once the lifts close, we'll usually get in 7-10 day trips before we hang it up in late July or early Aug.

Tele gear for kids can be difficult since you can't rent and they outgrow it every year. When he was smaller, he used some close-out T3 boots, then moved up to some used Veloces. I'd keep my eyes out for boots that were likely to fit the next year and buy when I found something cheap. He started with some re-cycled kids alpine skis mounted with old superloops, then moved up to line alpine skis with 7tm. Now, of course, he's as big as I am and has nicer gear (I expect to get his hand-me-downs once he's outgrown them).

Here he is last June on a trip to Nisqually Chute.

I started my kids at Chinook Last summer at 5 and 7 yrs old hiking/boarding, then this summer we hiked up a couple more times at Chinook. They dug it both times, and after they get hooked on summer hiking (and a bit older) I'll try to switch them into winter hiking.

Well, as long as we're talking about our kids....



I started My Three Sons ( now 12, 9 and 7, and yes, I am Fred McMurray) each at 3 in PowderPigs. Weekly lessons in addition to free days have been part of their winters since that age. I am not a good teacher of anything and I give powderpigs a whole heap of credit for getting the guys off on the right, fun foot. As of last season all of them would ski pretty much anywhere I would. The 9 yr old took to racing at CMAC last season and showed some grit and potential and likes to go really fast. We climbed and skied the King together late in the season and I've had them all well out in lift accessed off-piste conditions at xtal and alpental. 12 year old loves the park and the powder, and the little guy has yet to show his preferences, but he's a strong and happy skier whether it's bombing the hardpack on the pass or picking our way through the trees off the runs.

Haven't gotten any of them on skins yet, but we've done a little lite turn-earning and there will be more. I think the earlier you can get them out there the better. I hear few complaints of cold or lack of fun except when they're hungry and even then I'm more aware of their hunger than they. Skiing with those guys is perhaps one of the most joyful things to ever take place in my near 50 years.

Skiing with your kids is the most fun you can have with your pants on,and I'm damned proud of 'em.