Born for Adventure Podcast | Episode 1 Recap
Getting your kids into skiing sounds magical in theory—fresh mountain air, powder days as a family, and passing down a sport you love. But in reality? It’s often a battle of wills, layers, and logistics.
In the first episode of the Born for Adventure Podcast, I sat down with Michael Friedberg, former US Ski Team member, World Cup mogul skier, and elite-level coach, who now finds himself in an entirely new role: teaching his 3-year-old daughter, Darwin, to ski—without pushing too hard or ruining the experience.
Neither of us claim to be experts in teaching kids to ski, but we’re both parents who love the sport and are trying to navigate the best way to introduce it to our kids. So, we had a real, honest conversation about goal setting, overcoming the anxiety of sharing something you love, and finding ways to make skiing fun and stress-free for little ones.
Key Takeaways from Episode 1
🎿 1. You Can’t Make a World Cup Skier at 5, But You Can Make Them Hate It
Michael shared a powerful rule: There is nothing you can do between the ages of 0-5 to create an elite skier, but there are infinite ways to make them dislike the sport. The early years should be about fun, exploration, and building positive memories, not performance or progression.
❄️ 2. Every Decision Should Be Weighed Against One Question
Before heading to the mountain, ask yourself: Is this going to foster a love for skiing, or make it harder next time? Pushing too hard, battling over gear, or skiing in terrible conditions can backfire. The priority should always be keeping it fun and stress-free.
⛷️ 3. Autonomy is Great—But Not on Ski Days
We all want independent kids, but skiing with toddlers isn’t the time to enforce that. Between the gear, the cold, and the logistics, making skiing as easy and seamless as possible for your child is key. Michael shares that he often carries Darwin’s stuff, helps her get dressed, and uses a stroller to the lodge. The goal? Remove friction so skiing always feels special.
🧠 4. Check Your Mindset Before Hitting the Slopes
Are you in the right headspace to take your kid skiing today? If you’re exhausted, stressed, or impatient, the experience can quickly turn negative for both of you. Self-awareness is key—make sure you’re in a good mental place before getting your little one out on the mountain.
❤️ 5. Reconnect With Why You Love Skiing
Michael encourages parents to write a "love letter to skiing" to remind themselves why they care so much about sharing it with their kids. Skiing should feel like a gift, not a pressure-filled obligation. If you focus on what made you fall in love with it, it will be easier to create that experience for your child.
🎯 6. If Your Goal is Competitive Skiing, Focus on Love First
If your dream is for your child to one day race, freestyle, or ski competitively, the most important thing isn’t starting them early—it’s making sure they love it enough to put in the work later. The best young athletes are the ones who want to train because they genuinely love being on snow.
The Bottom Line
Skiing with kids isn’t always easy, but it should always be fun. The goal in these early years isn’t technique, speed, or skill—it’s creating positive experiences that make them want to come back. Whether that means bribing them with gummy bears, skiing for only 20 minutes, or spending more time in the lodge than on the mountain—that’s okay.
Michael and I don’t have all the answers, but we know we’re not alone in figuring this out. We’d love to hear from you!
📢 How have you introduced skiing to your kids? What has worked—and what hasn’t? Reach out to us via email at letsgo@iksplor.com or connect with us on social media!
🎧 Listen to the full episode of the Born for Adventure Podcast
🚨 Next episode: We’re diving into the nitty-gritty details of skiing with kids—gear choices, terrain selection, and tips for making the whole process smoother. Don’t miss it!
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