One of the most exciting parts about having children is introducing them to the sports and activities you enjoy. Skiing is a great activity for the entire family to share, and starting kids young can lead to a lifelong love of the sport.

As a ski instructor, I have helped countless toddlers during their first days on the snow, and I’m here to share some tips and tricks I have learned along the way.

Lower Your Expectations

This may sound like a downer, but a day on the slopes with toddlers includes lots of play and not so much skiing. Especially on your child’s first day, expect to spend more time inside warming up or going to the bathroom than out on the slopes. As a parent, I understand this can be frustrating but remember the goal is to introduce your little one to skiing in a fun and engaging way. Pushing for too much activity too fast can result in a grumpy toddler that associates unpleasant feelings with being out on the snow, and that is the exact opposite of what you are going for!

Dress Warmly

Nothing halts a fun day on the snow like cold fingers, toes, and cheeks. Before heading out, ensure your toddler has all the proper gear to keep warm, from thin wool socks all the way up to a neck buff and helmet. Proper gear will keep your little one warm and ready to learn.

Ski Equipment

One of the biggest challenges for parents is that children grow fast and ski gear is expensive. It can be tempting to buy skis and boots big and allow your tot to grow into them, but ill-fitting equipment will be uncomfortable and slow your child’s progress. Their first year, many children only ski once or twice, so renting gear is most likely the economical option. Call your local resort to inquire how small their rental sizes are and ensure they have equipment that will fit your child.

As your toddler gets older and starts skiing more often, many ski shops have a children’s equipment program. These programs allow you to purchase gear and when your child outgrows it, you can bring it back to the same shop and trade it in for a cash voucher to purchase the next size up. This not only ensures your tot has properly sized equipment, but also saves you cash in the long run. Check your local ski shop to see if they have a program like this for children’s gear.

In addition to skis and boots, I consider a helmet on the list of essential equipment that I wouldn’t let anyone (especially a child) ski without. Even if your local resort doesn’t require wearing one, helmets are critical for protecting little heads from injuries that can occur during action sports. Your toddler may not ski very fast, but there is always a risk of others who may collide with your tot.

Don’t Be Afraid to Be Silly

Teaching toddlers to ski involves lots of breaks and silly games. Toddlers tire easily, and taking a quick rest while sitting in the snow is a great way to recharge and keep kids engaged. Some of my favorite activities are making snow angles, mini-snowmen, and drawing a tic-tac-toe game in the snow.

A great way to keep kids occupied while actively skiing is to turn skiing skills into games. For example, after your tot learns to stop, you can play “Red Light, Green Light” to practice gaining speed, slowing down, and then stopping. Games like this help keep kids focused while also having fun and practicing their newfound skills.

Teaching Tools

One of the hardest parts of skiing for young toddlers is holding the wedge or “pizza” shape to turn and stop. Toddlers inner thigh muscles aren’t fully developed and holding that wedge position for long periods of time can be difficult. One of my favorite teaching tools, the Edgie Wedgie to the rescue! This product attaches your child’s ski tips together, making holding the wedge shape easier by relieving some of the strain on their little muscles and encouraging proper ski position. As an instructor, I keep this product in my jacket at all times and would recommend it to anyone teaching toddlers to ski.

Pack All the Snacks (and Patience)

Snacks! Snacks are a very important part of toddler skiing outings. Every parent knows that small children are constantly hungry and they will be even more so when exerting lots of energy on the slopes. Portable, easy-to-eat snacks are key to keeping your little one fueled and ready to ski.

The final and most important ingredient for a successful day is patience. Patience with your toddler will make the entire day run smoother. It is inevitable that you will get your child all bundled up after lunch only for them to announce they have to go to the bathroom and you have to do the undressing and bundling process all over again. In these moments, remember that you are out there to have fun and introduce the sport you love to your child. What really matters is not how long or how well you ski, but that your child has a good experience learning on the snow.

Before you know it, you will have a ski buddy for life!

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Lauren Loria-Corbat is a writer and photographer who skis, rock climbs, hikes and backpacks. She loves introducing people to outdoor sports through journalism as well as hands-on teaching as a ski and climbing instructor.