In short, learning how to ski is so much more easier now than they used to be. Falling is hardly an option these days.
Lastly, always keep in mind you're doing something rigorous up in a higher altitude. Be in reasonably good shape, and bring tissues with you, you're going to need it.
Good advice,
I would put any beginner in ski school immediately. They will find somebody
their level to ski with and they will be able to tell each other their personal
"
war stories" after a half day at ski school you can take a run or two with
them down
their favorite run. Don't take them down "
your favorite easy run"
unless you want to wreck an otherwise great day.
A beginning skier is just that. They can putter down the mountain on gentle
beginning slopes or get hurt. You need to supervise them, their equipment and
especially their cold gear. Don't let them out of the car wearing spring gear in
winter conditions or they will experience a very, very miserable day. You will get
blamed and you know better.
It requires a lot of patience getting a beginning skier started and going. Check
them, and their gear constantly. Make sure they don't accidentally drop a glove
or leave it in a small puddle of slush etc. If they lose something (and they will)
replace it and always have a couple of spares.
I also recommend having little walkie talkies. On the slopes cell phones don't always
work and they are very easy to damage in the snow. Always grab a couple extra
trail maps. Show them where they are and where you will meet if you get
separated, then don't get separated. They will be exercising muscles that they
don't even know they have.
Half a day for a while is more than enough. Then get them set up with hot
chocolate and something to eat in front of a fire with their gear hanging up and
you can go down and power down a few more runs for the day, then get the car
warmed up, gather up their gear and on the ride back you can tell them how
great/cute/funny they are and listen to their war stories about their legendary crashes and tell them how good they are going to look in the hot tub later.
When you get back double check that their gear (which will be very wet from
laying in the snow) is hung up properly to dry, that nothing is broken and only
then go to see how cute their popka is in the hot tub. They will need a rest day
too from time to time. They can't ski 5-6 days in a row.
Tissues, chap stick, spare items and patience and soon you will have a novice
skier that loves the snow.
Udachi!
Bill
