Cross-Country Skiing from Barbara Euser

Skiing

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

OBSERVATIONS: And some helpful hints

from Barbara Euser's "Take 'em Along"

When cross-country-skiing with children, try to keep the following points in mind:

1) Protect your children from the cold. Make sure you have enough clothing, blankets, quilted bags, and other gear to keep your child warm. Socks make excellent mittens and several layers of hats are recommended.

2) Protect your children from the sun. Use plenty of sunblock, wide-brimmed hats, and either goggles or sunglasses to protect their eyes.

3) Devise a system for carrying your child that isn't too painful for the adult to manage. I used a Snugli front carrier until Piper was eight months old, then switched to a Gerry carrier. For our older daughter, we used a Gerry carrier fitted inside a Lowe Alpine Systems pack to take advantage of its superior suspension system.

4) Take along a poncho or tarp to spread on the snow during lunch stops so the child can get out and stretch a bit.

5) Plan your ski trip keeping in mind that the person carrying the child is not going to be allowed to fall. This may mean choosing tours without steep downhill sections or realizing that the person who carries the child may need to side-step down some portions of the trail.

6) Don't make the ski trips too long. Both parents and kids wear out earlier than adults without children.

7) If you use a toboggan, strap the kids in, try to avoid steep slopes, and have an adult skiing behind.

8) If at all possible, plan to end the ski trip at a lodge or inn where everyone can relax, warm up, and get something to eat and drink.

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