We have been thinking about having our boys take a snowboard lessn while my husband and I go snowboarding. Has anyone put their kids in these lessons, and how did they do, did they like it. I would like a little input so we don't waste our money if it's not worth it. BTW, my husband and I both snowboard, but are not great teachers, so we don't want to try and teach them ourselves :)
Thanks for your input!
Thanks for all the input Mama's. We are going to go up to Mtn High this Sunday, they take kids 4-7 for the real snow, not simulated, so my kids will be in class together, they do the rentals, helmets, lunch, and snacks and for the whole day 10am-3pm. We will get to go snowboarding ourselves, and the kids seemed excited to go, so we'll see what happens.
My son is taking them this year and loves them, but he is 9. The program here is only for 8 and up, which sucks because my 7 year old really wanted to do it. I think they would love it, and if not then just don't sign them up again, they won't know until they try it.
Most places have a minimum age for teaching snowboarding (7 or 8 yo). This is probably because you are more likely to really whack your head when boarding, and this is far more dangerous in the very little ones (even with helmets).
I'd wait a couple of years. You could always start them skiing. Most places start ski lessons at 3 to 5yo.
My boys have all had exactly 1 lesson each, each child has had 1 lesson each for snowboarding and 1 lesson each for skiing. We think 1 lesson is a must but past that is a waste of our money. All our boys have been able to learn more by watching and doing anyway...but the 1 lesson really helps with the basics and gives the confidence!
I am going up to Snow Summit this weekend. I've looked on the website for Summit/Bear Mountain and it isn't clear if kids under 8 can take a snowboarding lesson. Skiing is available starting at age 4 (in a group lesson), but snowboarding is only specifically mentioned in the 8+ lessons. I would guess that you can sign them up for a private snowboarding lesson but not a group one. If I find out anything different this weekend, I will try to remember to come back and post again.
Most mountains have a kids ski/ board school. They have day/ week long programs, that are really tailored for kids. They get booted and suited up, go outside and get some learning, pause for hot cocoa and a bathroom break, learn some more, pause for lunch, learn some more, apple cider and donuts and bathroom in the afternoon, then frolicking till 4.
I think the best thing you could do in terms of their learning is to make sure that you pair them with an enthusiastic teacher, and give them a blue sky day.
On east coast mountains, daycare is roughly $100 a day, "ski school" is roughly the same amount. beginner group lessons are about $60 and include a 2 hour lesson, rentals and a lower mountain lift pass.
Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
We went up to Wrightwood/Mountain High. My son took skiing lessons but they have snowboarding lessons too. they keep the kids all day and give them lunch or you can do a 1/2 day. My son loved it and did it a couple of times. He's 10 now so he was probably 6 or 7 when he started. Not sure about age limit so you'd have to check if the 4 year old is too young to leave. Hope this helps.
Have you called the resort? We have always been Tahoe skiers, most of the places we go (mainly Northstar, Alpine and Squaw) take kids as young as three, but that's skiing, snowboarding is generally older, like seven or eight. You need to check directly with them.
sorry, it'll have to be ski school.
I don't know of any areas in Colorado that will take kids under 7 OR under 50 pounds.
apparently you need the weight and height to snowboard.
and I'd echo the hitting your head.
as you probably know, when you fall snowboarding, you are most likely to hit the back of your noggin where it really really hurts and makes you goofy. skiing - not so much. also the wrist injuries are pretty severe snowboarding. my ped (who is maybe overly cautious) would rather see kids under 10 skiing. after 10 years, she thinks they are equally dangerous. (I, of course, think it's not so dangerous - no more so than many other things we do - like get in a car.)
anyway, we started our kids at 4 on skis. any younger and its not worth it but by 4 they have the coordination to make it worthwhile.
have fun
I would really encourage them to learn to ski and then snow board. They'll learn control and will be spending more time doing, rather than on their rear strapping in. They'll be up and about in no time with lessons and I do think they're worth it............... so mama can go ski: )
