To make your winter holiday in Rauris and in our skischool as relaxed as possible, full of fun and skiing success, we would like to give you some information and tips which we have developed over many years of teaching:

Prepare your child for the ski lessons:

We would recommend explaining to them what to expect. The ski course will last 4 hours a day for all children. Tell your child that you will meet them for lunch and that you will spend the lunch break together, this is very important especially for the little ones.

We have learnt that without this break, the day can seem very long for some children, and unfortunately then they lose motivation and enthusiasm. Feel free to watch the end of the lessons to see what the children have learnt!

When you bring your child to their lesson, we advise that you do not to stay too long.

We have learnt that the children get to know their instructor and bond with the other children in the group much better when they are left alone with the instructors. Please give the ski instructor the chance to take care of your child and observe the lessons from a distance, so that your child’s full attention is with their instructor.

In the beginning, we need time and your patience!

If you cannot see progress from your child in the first few hours, please give us and your child even more time. It is important that your children become acquainted with their new surroundings on snow, with the heavy ski equipment and that they get to know their new friends so the real learning can begin.

Beginner’s ski course for children who are 4 years old:

It is very important for us that all the children in our lessons grow up loving skiing! Many children pick up skiing easily at 4 years old but for some, it is too early. There are lots of new things to experience – the equipment, the cold, the snow... so for some children if they are not enjoying it we recommend waiting another year and trying again once they are 5 years old.

Ski equipment:

If you use your own equipment it should fit perfectly and be well kept; this means the skis must not be too long/too short and regularly waxed. Properly fitting ski boots are also very important. If you have any problems with your own equipment you can rent other equipment from our rental or send your own equipment in for a service.

Mandatory helmet:

For children (up to 15 years old) wearing a helmet is compulsory!

Sun cream & cold protection:

It is extremely important to make sure that the children are always protected with sun cream which has a high UV factor - even if the sun is not shining in the morning, weather in the valley can be very unpredictable! In addition, children should have snow googles or sunglasses, especially if it snows. Please make sure that your child is warmly dressed (helmet, pullover, ski suit, warm gloves and thermal underwear) it is always easy to take a layer off if they’re too warm!

Please leave a telephone number with the ski instructor

(preferably written on the back of the course card) where we can reach you during the ski lessons should we need to!

If your child has an illness, allergies or the like, please let us know.

Small Equipment check:

• Ski helmet is compulsory for children up to 15 years of age
• Balaclava, snood or “buff” for cold days
• Suitable gloves (mittens are warmer than gloves)
• Warm and functional ski clothing (thermal underwear)
• Sun protection for eyes (sunglasses or goggles) and skin (sun cream)
• Customised ski equipment (age, capability, weight, size)
• Children who are just starting to ski do not need ski poles

Some information for your children’s first ski course

• 4-year-old children generally need 3 to 5 days to learn to snow plough
• 5-6 year old children normally only need 2 days to learn to snow plough
• From an age of 7 and onwards, some children can snow plough after only one day

• From the age of 4 years old children can start to learn how to ski in a group lesson – it is important that the child wants to, of course! The children have their first experience with skis and snow, we train their balance and practice turning their feet, so we are slowly moving forward and learning how to stop in a snow plough position.
  At 4 years old, we need about 3-5 days to teach the children the snow plough, how to do their first turns and use the lift. The joy of skiing is the focus of the course. Braking and turning are first practiced on very easy practice slopes and by the end of the week we can usually make some runs on easy blue slopes. The goal is not to go up the mountain quickly, the goal is that they learn skiing safely, feel confident and have fun!

• At 5-6 years old, children have developed better coordination and their conditional learning ability is already much more sophisticated, so learning to ski is possible for all children of this age group, with only a few exceptions. Most of the time, they pick up how to snowplow after 2-3 days and at the end of the week it is possible for them to ski with safe turns and at a controlled speed.

Important Tips

Course bookings: We recommend booking all courses (group or private lessons) and equipment in our online shop, so you have a guaranteed place!

Please gather all the information you need.

In the ski school office we are happy to inform you about;

• meeting point
• lesson times
• course groups
• ski race and prize giving
• lift passes

Information from the ski instructors:

• please ask your child’s instructor’s name on the first day, then you know with whom you child is skiing with and in which group.
• talk briefly every morning and at the end of each day to the ski instructor, just to be sure that your child has enjoyed the day and to find out the plan for the next day – including the meeting place and lunch plans. 
• ask the instructor when the race is planned

Children's Ski School - final race:
On the Thursday or Friday morning of your course we host the highlight of the week – the race! (intermediate groups held on Thursday or Friday up the mountain depending on the best weather forecast, all beginner groups will be on the nursery slope by the office on Friday).

The prize giving ceremony takes place after ski school lessons in our children’s area, don’t worry every child wins a medal! For further information please ask your ski instructor.