Getting Kids Started in Cross-Country Skiing
A no-pressure guide for parents who want winter to feel like play, not practice.
Getting kids into cross-country skiing doesn’t need to be complicated. Keep it fun. Play games. Keep them warm. As a result, winter becomes another fun season to be outdoors with your family.
1. Participate with a kids ski club
Being with other kids makes it fun for your kids, keeps them interested and coming back. If you do not have a local ski club that has a children’s program, then search for one that may be further away but close to ski trails. I’ve listed some resources below to help you find the best club experience for your family.
Look for a ski club affiliated with the Bill Koch Youth Ski League (BKL), the official grassroots youth Nordic program of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. Designed for kids in kindergarten through 8th grade, BKL emphasizes fun first — building skiing skills, agility, and confidence through games, relays, clinics, and team-based activities that nurture a lifelong love of the sport.
Another option is to form your own group with other families who are interested in getting their kids started. It doesn’t need to be complicated to get started.
2. Get the right gear & clothing
Kids’ ski gear does not have to be fancy or new; it just needs to fit. Make sure the skis are the proper length and the boots are comfortable. If you are unsure about the fit, talk to other parents who have kids or visit your nearby nordic ski center. Some ski stores rent equipment for the season which makes it easy to get the proper fit each season. I’ve listed a few below.
There is no bad weather; only bad clothing. A Norwegian proverb
Local gear swaps and sales are excellent places to find used equipment to get started. Many ski clubs hold their own gear sales/swap early in the Fall — this is the time to get your kids fitted for their gear. Here in upstate New York, the Rochester XC Ski Foundation offers one of the biggest annual ski swaps in November. Check with your local nordic ski club to see if they offer a similar event.
3. Get organized before the first snowfall
Make an effort to assemble your kids’ ski clothes - gloves, hats, jackets, pants, socks — and place them in a ski bag so you are ready to go. Check your ski equipment to see if it needs any repairs or upgrading. The earlier in the season you do this, the easier it is to find any needed items. Get your gear ready for the first day on snow, so you don’t feel rushed and you can focus on having fun.
4. Aim for once a week to get your kids going
The ski season is short — usually starting at the end of December and running through the end of February. Getting your kids out on the snow on a regular basis gives them enough time to have fun, learn new skills, play games and relax. As parents, you can opt to help out with your club or ski on your own while the kids have fun.
5. All you need is some snow
You do not need to go to a cross country ski center to get in some time on skis. A nearby golf course or park with similar terrain with some snow works. Better yet, if you can ski out your back door, that would be the ultimate.
6. Celebrate often
For no reason at all, make an effort to celebrate the week on skis with other kids and their parents. Keep it simple — cookies & hot cocoa before heading home. Those small traditions are what kids remember.
And just as important, make sure you enjoy the trails with your kids too. Ski beside them. Laugh with them. Let it be your winter, together.
Resources
BKL Clubs in New York State
Polar Bear Ski Club (Old Forge, New York)
Osceola Ski Club (Tug Hill Region of New York)
NYSSRA Nordic Association (Bill Koch Division)
Places to rent cross country ski equipment for the season
Mountainman Outdoors in Old Forge, New York
Bristol Nordic Ski Center in Canandaigua, New York
About me… I’m a certified ski instructor through the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA-AASI). This certification reflects my formal training in technique, safety, and teaching that builds confidence and joy on snow. I’m always learning — and I love helping skiers of all ages feel confident on the trail.
If this information inspired your winter plans, subscribe to Outdoors with Jenn for simple ideas, trail stories, and encouragement to get outside each week.
Love this!!
Great tips! Got my two out on skis (downhill) for the first time over the weekend. Nordic is next. Having a "pro" instructor makes all the difference (and I'm reminded of the advice I first heard from David Coggins: Don't try to teach something to someone if you've seen them, or they've seen you, naked!).