European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 23, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Skiing with Chil Renall it takes is extra planning ski Man ask any Parent who has med to teach his or her child to ski let a professional do it. File by Crystal Laureano staff writer just because the Pitter Patter of Little feet can be heard around your House does t mean that your ski clothes must go in Mothballs until the children reach puberty. What it does mean is that your ski trips need extra research and preparation. A Call to the ski resort or Lodge where you plan to stay should be first on your list ski Buff parents say. Ask about Day care and learn to ski programs for children. Most places in Europe will teach children to ski at age 5. But even if ski lessons Are available Check on other available activities in Case your child loses interest in the Middle of your ski week one Parent warns. Quot Don t Ever pay for a full week of lessons Quot said Ginger Wilson of Heidelberg Germany. Quot most places won t give refunds unless you find someone to take your  she recalled a trip last year to a resort in France where she enrolled her daughter Sara then v/2, in a week of half Day lessons. The instructor spoke English but since the other children spoke Only French Little Sara was miserable. Quot by the third Day she was begging me not to make her go Quot Wilson said. Quot she said Mommy please Don t leave me Here Quot Day care while usually available through hotels or local referral services can be expensive said Wilson who also has a 2-year-old daughter. Last ski season she paid from $ f to $60 a Day for two children at locations throughout Europe. If your child s ski class is Only half Day you May want to ski while your child is taking lessons and then spend the rest of the Day with him or her Wilson said. Another alternative is to find somebody else who has children and take turns watching the youngsters she said. The group setting of a ski club is Ideal for families because it Quot takes away the shepherding aspect Quot of a family vacation said Kevin Johnson the father of a 12-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy. Quot they get involved with the other kids and then you have several sets of parents keeping an Eye on things Quot said Johnson a former president of the Mannheim ski club. Quot with other kids around the parents Aren t responsible for every minute of the child s  some ski clubs Are More family oriented than others Johnson said. When looking for a ski club ask if they often go to plates that other activities and ski lessons for children. Parents and ski instructors recommend formal ski instruction for children instead of coaching by parents. Quot kids need to be around other kids when they Are learning Quot said Anna Herbrand a ski instructor who runs the children s ski programs at the armed forces recreation Center in Garmisch Germany. Quot they learn faster when they Are in a group and when they can have compete in a group Quot she said. Quot they learn by  Johnson agreed that Quot when kids Are learning with other kids it is More fun and they tend to think of the instructor As More of an authority  with a Parent however they might whine or pretend to be tired. Quot but More importantly if you Are not trained to instruct you could be teaching your children wrong Quot Johnson said. Another consideration is Matching your children s ability with the terrain of the ski resort and whether they will be Able to use the lift. You Don t want to take a child on an expert run full of moguls or to an area that is mostly very Steep Hills. Many chairlifts Are too High for children to get on unassisted and some places Don t allow children on to bars. Equally important is clothing and equipment. Here Are some tips a clothing for smaller children who May grow a size or two during ski season look for snowsuits with a jacket and pants with adjustable suspenders. Wilson said she relies on the Post exchanges instead of the More expensive local stores and ski shops. Generally dress your children As warmly As you would dress yourself but keep in mind that a child who still Falls a lot will be exerting himself More and May require fewer clothes to stay warm. Take along an extra pair of socks in Case the first pair gets wet during skiing or through perspiration. Hats with ear flaps that tie under the neck Are Best. Cloth gloves Are useless when wet a invest in Waterproof gloves that can be clipped onto jacket sleeves. Children s eyes need Protection from the Sun. Goggles Are Best because they will stay on a child during a fall and will not break or get lost As easily As sunglasses. A Light Gray or Blue Lens is preferred. A equipment it does t make a lot of sense to Purchase ski equipment for growing children. Most every place that rents ski equipment also has equipment for children and the rental fees usually Are about one third the Price of adult equipment Wilson said. But if your pre teen wants Quot a sense of having their own equipment Quot skis May be a Good item to Purchase Johnson said. Quot my daughter has had the same pair for three years Quot he said. Quot you should pick ones that suit their ability and let them Progress on them for a year or  Don t buy skis that your child will grow into. Quot you Don t Ever want a kid on skis that Are too Long Quot Johnson said. Quot kids usually Snow plow a lot and if the skis Are too Long the tips will Cross and their Ankles will get  Don t forget sunscreen especially on the nose and Cheeks. And last but not least always bring your Basic children s medicines Wilson said. Quot they will always get a cold Runny nose or a cough Quot she said. Runny noses aside ski weeks or weekends can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. Quot you just have to have an anything goes attitude when you Are vacationing with kids Quot Wilson said. Quot if your kids Are having a bad time then so Are you. Just stay flexible with your