Homeschooling on the Slopes: Gratitude, Growth, and Chaos
This winter, downhill skiing has become the ‘go to’ for our homeschool physical education for our five kids, ages 2 to 11. It comes with a mix of triumphs, setbacks, and everything in between. We’re grateful for the flexibility homeschooling provides, allowing us to wrap up lessons early in the week so we can dedicate Fridays to the slopes. We’re also immensely thankful for our community ski slope, where the focus is on helping families learn rather than maximizing profit. With 50% off lift tickets on Thursdays and Fridays and a rental shop that generously gifted us skis after just a few visits, they’ve made this family adventure possible.
Some ski days feel like they flow seamlessly: the kids are eager, everyone has fun and we leave satisfied and tired. Other days, we’re untangling skis and navigating meltdowns before we’ve even made it through the first run. But every day is an opportunity to learn patience, build confidence, and appreciate the great outdoors.
Most of our ski days are a mix of parents coaching, kids learning by doing, and the occasional lesson to enable some additional adult supervision. One parent usually focuses on our two-year-old, while the other keeps an eye on the older kids, who are eager to test their skills. Here’s what a day feels like:
James wears a harness with a handle so we can guide him when needed, though he’s determined to ski on his own. On motivated runs, he glides down independently with pride, but when he’s tired, he flops like a noodle, leaving us to navigate him down the slope. Watching his siblings ski ahead is his greatest motivator—until he decides snow angels are more fun.
CC’s trusty Edgie Wedgie is her confidence booster, keeping her skis together and her spirits high. But one run, we accidentally left the critical bolt for her Edgie Wedgie at the bottom of the lift. She bravely made it down the run, but nearly in tears, convinced skiing was impossible without her small but mighty aid. Once we reattached it, she was back to tackling the slopes with determination.
Adeline’s quiet persistence has made for ever steady progress. She’s mastered green slopes with ease and continues to improve with each run, her calm demeanor helping her focus on technique rather than speed. She’s not flashy, but her persistence and calm has made her a solid little skier.
Jack has a natural knack for skiing, combining his growing skill with endless enthusiasm. He’s doing well on green runs and is starting to tackle blues, but his eagerness to jump to harder slopes keeps us busy reminding him to focus on mastering the basics first—like learning to stop. We try to strike a balance between encouraging his confidence and ensuring his safety.
Lorelei is both a steady skier and a regular presence for her siblings. She naturally looks out for everyone, often stopping mid-run to check on James or encourage CC. While she sometimes sacrifices her own progress to help others, we’re working on reminding her to take time for herself, too.
Skiing with five kids is not for the faint of heart. By the end of the day, we’re physically and mentally drained. Installing Edgie Wedgies at the top of every lift, managing meltdowns, and trying to keep the kids from pushing themselves too far is a full-body workout. Some days, we wonder why we even attempt it.
But then we see glimmers of progress—the first time CC makes it down without falling, or Jack perfects a turn, or Adeline quietly beams with pride after a smooth run—and we remember why we’re doing this. The dream of someday having five independent skiers is what keeps us coming back, even on the toughest days. Through it all, we’re grateful for a generous and welcoming community, healthy little bodies learning to move on the slopes, and the opportunity to be outdoors—together—on clear, cold days in the mountains.
