Happy children on the slopes - easy as pie
1TP1Professional and mother of young children Linn gives tips!
What do you do when one child has collapsed on the slope and refuses to go another metre? And the other is freezing and needs to pee NOW? 1TP1Professional and mum of young children Linn has the answer: You prepare yourself so that you don't end up there in the first place. Sometimes easier said than done, but with a little planning and preparation, you can avoid the most common traps. Here are Linn's top tips!
Linn Olsson as a communicator at Stöten in Sälen. You could say that skiing is in her blood. She grew up in a small village outside Sälen and has been skiing since the age of four. Her children, Elis, 6, and Ilse, 3, started skiing when they were about 2.5 years old. Skiing should be fun and games, not crying and gnashing of teeth, and as young children have small margins, it's important to stay ahead of the game and be open to taking the day as it comes.
- Children usually have the most, and best, energy in the morning when they are rested after a night's sleep. Like many children, mine are early risers. So we make sure we're out on the slopes early," says Linn. It's great for the children to go to ski school, Linn thinks. "The ski instructors in Stöten are great at teaching, and they are also good at making them enjoy it.
She herself stays away from the ski school because it's easy for the kids to get cranky if they see her. Once the skiing lesson is over, she makes sure to quickly energise them so that they don't crash. She is never on the slopes without a chocolate biscuit, banana or raisin in her rucksack. A drop in blood sugar can make any little skier show their least charming side.
In addition to getting out on the slopes early, Linn emphasises the importance of not setting out on an empty stomach. Anyone with children knows that it's not always the easiest thing to get a good, hearty breakfast. In order not to run out of energy, Linn and her children usually pay a visit to Våffelstugan after a while on the slopes. They really love waffles!
Hypoglycaemia can make any little skier show their least charming side
Hot tips for cold days
Young children are more sensitive to the cold than adults. How should they be dressed? Linn puts a good woollen undergarment on her children, close to the skin. This wicks away moisture and keeps them dry close to the skin. Then a protective mid-layer is needed in the form of a fleece jumper. The mid-layer builds up warmth and insulates against the cold. Last but not least, an outer layer in windproof and waterproof material. Thick mittens on the hands and a collar at the neck to prevent air and lots of snow from getting in. This is usually enough for Elis and Ilse who are quite cold.
Another tip from Linn is to take slightly oversized ski boots so that you can fit several layers of socks or a pair of thick ragged socks. Once all the layers are on, it's time to head out for a great day on the slopes of Sälen. Her children's favourite is Grandma's Downhill, Sälen's longest slope at 3060 metres. They want to ride it again, again - and again. She herself likes Parallellen with its wonderful turns.
New for the season is the Family Hill. It is super wide and perfect for children. From it you can get to both Soltorget and Stötentorget. She is looking forward to discovering it together with the children.
A perfect day in Stöten in Sälen according to Linn
- Breakfast in the cottage and the earliest time in ski school for the kids, and the parents can enjoy freshly skied in the other slopes.
- Mellis i Våffelstugan and skiing until lunchtime.
- Lunch in Fjällkåtan and then bathe in Vattufjäll (it is important to stop skiing before the children get too tired).
- Buy a good dinner at Tempo, sauna in the cabin and cooking.
- Couch hanging, or a trip on cross-country skis in the electric track for those who feel there is more to give.
This is Linn
- Name: Linn Olsson
- Age: 33 years
- From: Lake Sörsjön in Sälen
- Labour: As a digital communicator at Stöten in Sälen
- Number of seasons in Stöten: 10+ years
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