What Our Family Learned Skiing Together

Despite all the costs, danger and hard work, there are 7 ways that skiing made us a stronger family

My son Eddie, learning the rules of the mountain

We’re a ski family. We put skis on all the boys by the age of 3, and never missed a season.

In Asia we started in Japan and New Zealand; living in Europe it was Austria and France; now in the US we’ve explored Tahoe, Utah, Colorado and Whistler.

We saved and made sacrifices along the way to fund our trips, and felt grateful each year we could afford to ski.

Half our family photos and memories feature white-capped mountains and happy, goggle-faced kids.

But when a friend with young kids asked me a simple question — “Should we teach our kids to ski?” — I didn’t know how to answer.

Before this, I’d never questioned why we ski, or has it really been worth it? Considering all the costs, effort, and physical danger, why do we choose the slopes versus any other place on earth?

So for any parents out there still making their minds up, here’s the napkin analysis I shared with my friend, starting with a few Cons.

First, it’s expensive. After you’ve factored in accommodation, ski passes, clothing, boots, skis, poles, helmets, goggles, gloves…