actually leashes are very helpful in introducing kids to our sport...BUT only kids that are so small that their muscular development has yet to reach a point where they can actually stop on their own.
My son will be on snow as soon as he can walk in ski boots, and I plan on using a harness/leash his first year (age 2.5) and without it he would have to wait another year or so. He will be on my back in his hiking pack this spring to get a little taste of it.
Why would anyone diss on little groms learning to ski, I cannot wait to have my son slaying the slopes with me. He will learn that there is no "right way" to ski, fowards/switch, poles, no poles whatever.
Fuck, I hope he kicks my ass at skiing by the time he is 10. He should, he will be in good company at Squaw's mighty mites program...Gaffney and McConkey also had kids this year as well. Gonna be some crazyness seven years from now, watch out!