Ski Moms July Checklist

It’s 95 degrees in New York City and I’m definitely feeling nostalgia for those January days when I couldn’t feel my toes. Since a savvy ski mom is always prepping for her upcoming season, I have a short but sweet checklist for you this month.

Revisit your season pass strategy.
Watch a Ski Movie.
Work a Ski Puzzle. I
Focus on Balance.

Revisit your season pass strategy

Many pass prices will go up at the end of summer. If you are on the fence, look at your calendar and be realistic about how much you will ski. More than 5 days at any one resort and you need a pass. Remember: if you child has a meaningful ski birthday this year you need to buy that pass early. The rate is based off the pass price at the time of purchase. And finally, keep in mind that many states (check our list) offer ski free or discounted programs for 4th, 5th and 6th graders. You might want to review that list before you plunk down money on passes for your middle school kiddo.

Watch a Ski Movie

On the hottest days of summer, pop some popcorn and set up a ski movie. We’re working on a Ski Mom list, but you can’t go wrong with Warren Miller. Consider some female centric flicks like Pretty Faces or Here, Hold My Kid.

I asked ChatGBT to come up with a list of movies appropriate for kids 8 and up and here’s what I got:

“Cool Runnings” (1993) While not strictly a ski movie, this film is about the Jamaican bobsled team. It’s a fun, inspiring story with plenty of snow and ice sports.
“Ski Patrol” (1990) A comedy about a ski patrol team working at a snowy mountain resort. It’s light-hearted and full of slapstick humor.
“Snow Buddies” (2008) This is a family film about a group of golden retriever puppies who team up for a dog sled race in Alaska. It has lots of snowy scenes and a positive message about teamwork.
“Frozen” (2013) Although not specifically a ski movie, it features plenty of snow, ice, and winter sports themes, and is beloved by children for its story and songs.
“Cloud 9” (2014) A Disney Channel original movie about a young snowboarder who learns to overcome her fears and compete at a high level. It’s an inspirational story with lots of winter sports action.
“Eddie the Eagle” (2016) This biographical sports comedy-drama tells the story of Eddie Edwards, the notoriously tenacious British underdog ski jumper. It’s heartwarming and suitable for older kids.
The Mighty Ducks” (1992) While this is more about ice hockey, it’s a winter sports movie that has a similar appeal with its story of a young hockey team overcoming odds.

Work a Ski Puzzle

If it’s a thunderstorm day, I suggest a ski puzzle. We got this cute one from Malin Gray and I love it. Did you know: Working on a jigsaw puzzle helps you recognize shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships, which can enhance your visual-spatial skills. We ski moms need those skills and so do our kids.

Focus on Balance

Finally, July is a great time to play with your workouts. This month try to hone your balance skills. Good balance helps us control our movements, make smoother turns, and avoid falls. Trust me, a few sessions of balance training can make a world of difference.

Plus, balance workouts help build those core muscles. A strong core isn’t just for show; it supports everything from stability on skis to better posture. And here’s another perk: balance exercises improve coordination and reaction times. That means when we hit a bump or an unexpected patch of ice, we’ll be more likely to recover quickly instead of taking a tumble. This can be achieved by working in a bosu ball, yoga or doing single-leg workouts.

Try this single leg workout (it’s for running, but works for skiing)
Bosu Ball Balance video
Yoga for balance (beginner)
Yoga for balance video–ballet inspired (more advanced)

Sketch Out a Dream Trip

It’s never too early to brainstorm. Where do you want to ski this season? Research lodging, ski schools, and travel options before the back-to-school rush. Maybe start with the Ski Moms Podcast. There are four season’s worth of podcasts to listen to for inspiration. Here’s a fun one to start with–a dream trip to ski in Europe.