Ski School 101
29 Dec 2014
Ins, Outs and Endless Opportunities
By Julie Kailus Snow sports can create a sense of independence in children and a deep sense of connection within families. “If they start skiing at a young age, children typically grow up with confidence and have a unique perspective on life,” says JP Chevalier, snowsports director at Eldora, Boulder County’s “backyard” ski area. “When you look at other activities and sports, there are not many options where you can see a family of two, three and even four generations playing together.” Luckily Front Range families don’t have to go far to teach their tykes to ski. In fact, Eldora has been introducing locals to the joys of winter sports for more than five decades. Over the years the esteemed Eldorables introductory ski school has fine-tuned its offerings into a professional, convenient program designed for the way locals live. Eldora’s half-day program solves the tricky interest-time-cost equation for many Boulder County families. Chevalier says it’s possible to squeeze in a weekday ski lesson for a toddler while still making it back to Boulder in time to pick up older kids before the school dismissal bell rings. RTD’s daily Ski-n-Ride bus, which runs between Boulder and Eldora, can make the decision of where it’s most expedient to ski even easier. Eldorables ski school is divided into five levels—“never-evers” to advanced—for kids aged 4 to 6, which is the prime time for learning the building blocks of proper skiing or snowboarding techniques. Two five-week-long weekday (Tuesday-Friday) sessions take place throughout the season, with offerings in downhill skiing, snowboarding and even telemarking. Eldorables’ progression-based instruction focuses on fun but is oriented around guided coaching for children—and parents, Chevalier says. Kids interested in taking their snow skills further can explore the Kid’s Trek freeride developmental program, Eldora Mountain Ski & Snowboard Club and the Nighthawks junior racing series.
