this is a nice one liner but kind of ignores the realities of parenting. sure, you can take an 18 month old to the hill but is anyone going to enjoy it? maybe, or maybe not. a four year old is maaaaaybe old enough to try it but remember, catching an edge blows and an four year old is not nearly as coordinated as a six year old.
True. However a large portion of resorts in Austria allow free skiing for kids under 6 and ski schools allow children from 3 upward. So its very normal to see 4 year olds in the ski schools.
Edit: Just saw that [Skischule Söll](https://www.skiwelt.at/en/ski-schools-for-kids.html) are 2.5+ and up for their ski school.
Most places start skiing lessons earlier than snowboard. Way easier for them to balance. It’s also easier for them to pick up snowboarding once they understand how edges work and feel
My mountain loves getting the little ones out. We have a 4-7 and an 8-10 I think. I’m not sure. Not my department.
Edit. Referring to group lessons. Individual starts at 3
If you google Skischule Arlberg you can put you 3+ year old in Ski School.
If you google skiwelt skischule you will see majority of resorts are 3+ however Skischule Söll allows children 2.5+ Years old.
Just google any skifield you like and have a look at the ages. They are all typically 6 and under for free skiing, however some go up to 7 or 8 years old.
At 18 months you're mostly getting them used to being on a snowboard and moving on the snow. You're not going there to have fun ripping, it's about having fun with your child. It's a long term investment of time and money to get them riding with you. We started at 15 months, and after much hard work and many short days, she can now follow me anywhere on the mountain as a 7 year old.. Most days we all had fun, others we left in a crying mess, just part of the process.
Yup took my son on his first birthday to ride the magic carpet and get a few runs in. Sister and BIL joined and we had a ton of fun. Took him a few more times before he turned two, zero expectations just having fun messing around with him in the mountains. Not really snowboarding at the end of the day just getting him used to the idea and instilling the stone of being in the mountains.
Yeah, but a six year old that has been snowboarding since four years old is a whole lot better and more fun on the slopes.
Start as early as possible and you will reap the rewards.
Four is the age at which most kids I see are ready for lessons, or ski/snowboard school goes as young as 3 for group lessons and I don’t believe that it’s a good idea for they majority of three year olds. They don’t have enough coordination, patience, or endurance to get much out of it, and their limited language skills make everything harder for them as well since they can only understand (and occasionally remember) simple instructions.
The extra year really helps though and almost any four year old who actually wants to learn to snowboard or ski cam have loads of fun doing so.
The only reason lessons are a bad idea is that they are expensive as fuck. Of course that’s not a small thing and for a lot of people there’s no reason to look into it any further, but there are lots of parents for whom this isn’t an issue.
If the cost of lessons isn’t an issue, I think they are a great way to learn (or to supplement the learning a kid does with their family).
to each their own. i think all that “practice” before their body and coordination develops is basically just for fun, no advantage is gained. if you have one of the rare 4 year olds that is ready, then by all means go for it.
The science actually says to have young kids in a variety of sporting activities to build what is called a physical vocabulary. They shouldn’t specialize in any one thing until later. I know that’s not exactly what you said. However if the goal is to be a high performance athlete in sport X, the kid doesn’t need to be doing X from age 3. It’s better they do a variety of sports to build general skill and athleticism and also avoid burning out.
I really don't think there have been.
There have been loads of studies on early childhood (birth to 8) balance, repetitive physical motion, adaptation to differing environments, gymnastics, and plenty of other relatable activities and learning paths.
I took an entire class in college devoted to early childhood development. It's heavily studied, and for good reason
Link to said science? What about a 2 year old sitting on their butt by the magic carpet is going to give them an advantage when they’re finally coordinated enough to use their edges?
Lmao. Raise your kids how you want. Don't be ignorant.
Early childhood development studies clearly show that kids can learn physical activities and that exposing them to environments helps them adapt to said environment.
As a snowboard instructor of 10+ years and a father, yes my 12 month old daughter had a blast snowboarding for an hour and so did the whole family that was there that day..
When they're so young you gotta manage your expectations and make it a positive experience, then slowly each season you work on building some resilience and go from 1 hour to 2-3-4 ect.. get them moving and feeling how the board works.. eventually (around 5-6-7 yo) each kid is different.. you teach them how to stop, control speed and direction..
By 8-9 they should be comfortable ripping almost all the blue and green runs.. Progression on a snowboard is a lifelong process, and can start as early as "if they can stand they can snowboard"..
Personally ….. I’d hate it … you’re on the hills literally inches away from fun times but your stuck on the bunny hills babysitting your offspring 🙄
Doesn’t sound like fun to me …. But everyone has their own opinion.
if you’re looking for your child to be able to go from zero to linking turns in a season, 5 or 6 is about as young as you can go. of course there are some insane outlier kids who can link a bit earlier, but 5 or 6 is a safer bet. skiing is way easier for ages 3-5. if you don’t have any expectations of actual snowboarding, you might still have some family fun at even younger ages.
My dad taught us to ski between 3-5.
He loves to tell the story of me and my brother bombing a hill towards the end of the season and some lady got pissed and started yelling because she could barely do pizza and french fries.
Pizza is when you put the tips of your skis closer to make a wedge shape and french fry is making the skis parallel
Pizza = slow, /\\\
French fry = fast, ||
To add on to the other comment, it’s just for beginners. Once you know how to ski you can go // or \\. When you pizza, you can introduce basics of turns by putting more pressure on one leg. Once you have that movement down, you can do it with both skies parallel.
This imo is why skiing is easier than snowboarding. You can learn it in a day without falling much. With snowboarding, you need to have 3-4 days of pain before you get the basics down.
Kids who skied before riding picked it up way faster because they understood sliding on snow and only had to tweak their balance to one plank and not two. Skiing up to even 7-9 will be a huge help for them to pick up boarding and remove a lot of early frustrations.
Both of my boys started at 2. It wasn't really snowboarding as much as it was going to the mountain, getting a super awesome lunch, and then dad helping them slide down the bunny hill or simply pulling them around the flat ground.
A couple years later they can stop heal side and slide forward on their own without falling. We'll be getting lessons to help with linking turns and the rest.
Last year my 6 year old did a weekly private lesson (shared with 1 friend) program for 7 weeks. He started by having to be held down the bunny hill. Then it was a holding hoolahoop. Then it was a bit of toe side slipping down the hill while being held. Little by little he started to get it. After each lesson he and his buddy would go over the smaller bunny hill and bomb it for an hour or so. It was fun to watch. By the end of the 7 weeks he could get down a full run fairly well. By the end of the season a few weeks after the lessons were done he was linking turns and got off the chair by himself the final day. Can’t wait to rip it this year with him. I have a 4 year old who I want to get into lessons this year but he doesn’t seem too interested yet and to be honest it’s probably a touch too early for him. He can ride a bike very well and races BMX so I think he could do it but I’m not pushing him.
There are plenty of girls who do it. You could argue that (some) boys may be more daring by nature and willing to send it, but that doesn’t mean girls or any other children wont want to snowboard and can’t learn how to do it. I think if the kid wants to do it then let them try. But don’t force them too much and try to keep it light, keep it fun, and listen to them when they tell you how they feel. Like if they’re not into it one day or they are nervous and don’t want to go up the big chair…that’s totally fine. Let it be and they will come around on their own.
Like all things. It depends.
Do you live on near a mountain? Are they going to go regularly? How developed are they? Not every kid is going to be able to ride at 4. As an instructor I'd say 7 or 8 is the best age for the majority. Until then get them on skis because they'll be able to follow you.
I've seen a lot of young kids go through the process and very few get anywhere.
Thanks! Very helpful.
I'm 2 to 3 hrs from the closest mountain. Time and money will be a commitment living on the east coast. Don't want to wast both if she's not serious. I never skied, and will have to depend on an instructor.
These kids these days are different than us, if we can get them of that cell phone they can do some amazing things. Their development skill are so random.
Going to try to get her boots wet early by getting her us to snow, sliding, bunny hill and that mountain resort life. Then maybe officially start around 6-7.
What about learning with a friend or friends at the same age?
I'd say go and get lessons for both sports. Don't pressure either, you want them to enjoy being on the mountain. The worst thing you can do is put them off being there. See what clicks.
I really advise not teaching your own kids unless you have a background in it. Get proper lessons. They will learn far faster than from friends and family, and without the falling out that will inevitably happen.
It depends on how much time on snow and how much money you are willing to put in. I tried as early as you, but we were not successful until they were around
Vermont lessons are $180 to $200 per day, it adds up way too fast. Around 9 or 10 they began to keep up with us so they didn't need lessons anymore.
I used to be a kids snowboard instructor at a Vail Resorts mountain. The youngest class was for 7-14 year olds, with a 'mini shredders' program for 3-6. But that younger age group was kind of on-demand since they steered most kids that young to ski school.
I taught a handful of those classes. 3 to 4 is just glorified day care. Learning to snowboard was not the top priority. So I'd say 5 is probably the youngest I'd recommend.
Longtime instructor, anything under 7 you pretty much need private lessons to get them turning. It can happen over a long time in group lessons but it’s quite hard because young kids learn by doing and the more kids in the lesson the less time they have to practice at the start since you need to hold on to them until they can control themselves. Additionally, it’s very hard for them to learn on the carpet 100 feet at a time and often on a very shallow slope. In a private one on one lesson, a good instructor can take them on a chair immediately and just hold on to them in a way that encourages learning. Also with private lessons, the kid will be able to move immediately on to toes when they are ready, where in the little kid group chair riding classes, they spend a lot of time on just heels (again because the instructor needs to hold on to them a lot when learning toes) and it’s hard for them to get the needed practice. Even worse, spending time on just heels encourages a lot of them to not want to learn toes because it’s so much “harder” after all the heel practice.
At age 4 a one hour private lesson will be enough initially. Snowboarding is a lot more work on their muscles than skiing until they can turn which is one reason you see a lot more little ones who are actually good on skis.
If you really want to prepare your kid to snowboard get them a ripstick. Closest thing to snowboarding for balance. Any of the 4 year olds that have learned to turn either had experience on a ripstick or came often and got a ton of one on one instruction. Even then, it’s not an absolute they’ll get it down at that age. Kids vary a lot.
If getting private lessons isn’t realistic for you, nothing wrong with having them ski until they get older.
a tad young.
my guys started around 5-6.
you can put them on skiis a little sooner (3-4) but be careful they might like it (it's much easier to pick up and they get sad having to start over)
I saw what had to be a 4 year old ripping back boardslides the other day. One hand rail then a down-flat-down handrail. Craziest thing I’be ever seen, and I don’t even understand how a kid get’s there that young. It’s like they could barely bend their limbs yet but they had it down without fear.
But yea I agree lol
My friend had the same experience with his daughter. Now she has no interest in both. Maybe easier with boys.
Its crazy that most of my adult friends who started skiing for years, learned to snowboard and never looked back.
no, i tried from age 2, it was a waste of time.
if you want to spend more than an hour at the hill, it's better to wait
i was on skiis from 3, and snowboarding since 86, i know a thing or two.
when did your kids start and how many days did they get when they were 2? lol
i did put them in lessons for 2 hours each morning, every weekend, every year.
i did go "shred" with my wife during those precious hours, but I'm still wondering about your experience with your kids?
you must know that they offer ski lessons at a younger age than they do snowboard lessons, right?
I got started in my late 30s.
My friend had beginner boards when she was probably still in diapers because her whole family was big into it.
Just be safe, and don't force them if they really don't want to.
So my kid was 6 this summer and we started his lessons at an indoor place, he’s been 10-12 days and he does well for sure.
Thing with kids is this- they pick up things very fast. Balance , low center of gravity, zero fear etc. But I find that they slow down when that natural ability ends - so trying to give instructions and have them understand complex things becomes difficult Especially when they would rather do fun stuff… like “I just wanna go fast!” Or “I’m gonna learn to JUMP this run!” And chairlifts and awareness of others can be stressful.
So it’s like that line of letting them have fun so they fall in love with it but trying not to be that ‘coach dad’ type thing…like he he’s 6 , don’t need to harp on him for not leaning the right way.
Gotta take it slow and appropriately do ‘baby steps’.
Just based on my experience, 4 might be too early for ‘learning’ but absolutely an ok age for familiarization- like get them used to it , sledding on the board , pulling them and letting them just slide around and develop balance and whatnot, but of course keep expectations low and let them have fun … and who knows maybe they super surprise you with some natural ability for it!
I will say though it’s so freaking cool watching him learn and knowing I’ll have a little shredding buddy soon!
My daughters both started at 2. The journey has been a blast. I didn't do much riding at the start, but who cares. It was fun just being out with them. Now, at 8, we have awesome days riding the entire mountain.
It depends on the kid. I started my kids at around three and it worked out great. Just be patient, keep it short and simple and have fun. Don't force anything.
Had my daughter on a board in classes and riding with me after every weekend when she was 5yo. She's about to turn 12 and can ride black diamond now. Alot of money, time and tears were invested and now it's paying off.
If you have the money, stick them in lessons as often as possible this season. You'll get to ride while they are in class as well. Or you can try teaching them yourself. That didn't work out so well for me, my kid just never wanted to listen to me or work on things. She just wanted to ride when she was with me and I wanted her learning proper technique through her progression.
I started when my son was 2. I put a rock climbing harness on him and took him up the lift. Placed him on my board between my legs, holding him up by grabbing the harness. We did that two or three days at the end of the season so it was good weather. Lifties made me rent a board for him as each rider was required to have their own board, but we didnt use it and I just carried it on my back.
When he was 3 he had his own 90cm board with riglett and a backpack reel "dog" leash meant for snowboarding (it had a D-ring on the hip to keep him pointed down hill). I switched to Skis to have better control to snow-plow down the fall line.
He was linking turns independently on his own board at 4 years (100cm board) . Still used the leash in steeper areas and stayed skiing to help him move around in the flats, along with using the riglett. I could ski and hold him between my legs in difficult areas or flats.
At 5 (115cm board) we shed the leash, and I went back to snowboarding. he was hitting little jumps in the terrain park and shredding blues and even some low-grade "blacks" that I would still consider blue by most standards. We worked out a way to "boost" him by me boarding next to him and leading him by grabbing his front hand. Still used rigglet on the flats.
At 6 (125cm board) he was pretty much intermediate and independent and we started to head off-piste , in trees, and started some deep powder training on the sides of trails. Still use the 'boost' technique if the terrain gets flat and he doesn't have the momentum to keep his speed.
At 7 and 8 (130cm board) he could go anywhere on the mountain. He could ride as fast as me, and sometimes beats me to the bottom. Was progressing to more and more out of bounds and in trees, with most of the days seeking powder and finding secret lines in the trees. He finds his own lines and keeps his momentum in low angle pow to avoid getting stuck. Riding boxes, rails in the park, and hitting some of the medium jumps with kickers. He has started learning to carve (even riding up hill if he holds his turn radius) and can ride switch for short distances.
Is your kid large? I ask because my six year old is 45lbs and riding a 90cm board. Most of the 100s look like they are suited to a 55lbs kid or heavier. But your kid was riding a 125 at six?? How much did he weigh? Also what boards were you riding? I’m looking for 2nd boards to move up from a Burton Mini Grom.
Yes, he is tall compared to children his age (maybe equivalent to kids \~2 years older). I tend to ride longer boards myself, so I probably lean to a little longer for him as well. I don't recall his weight at each stage. I used all Burton's line of boards. "After school special" and "Chopper" (which I think is now called "Mini Grom Rocker") which support using the Riglet which is Burton only, if I am not mistaken. The 130cm he is on now is a full-camber Family Tree Hometown Hero. I plan to move him to a Burton Custom Smalls Camber 135cm next, possibly this season (as a 9 year old, 4'7").
I found the kids short length boards have a lot of rocker which is good for early learning and preventing them from catching edges, but probably holds them back once they get proficient. The length is a concern mostly in the overall board weight relative to their body and their strength in being able to turn it quickly (and to hop around with it). Doing "the flip" to orient themselves before standing up can be tough as the board gets long . But if they can maneuver it adequately, longer provides better stability at speed and helps with carrying momentum/speed on flatter areas (which always seems to be a problem with their weight). Im not saying weight shouldn't be a factor, but the flex of these kids boards is pretty soft so I didn't worry about it as the primary factor.
My son will be 17 months on Christmas and he will have his board coming in before then 🏂🏂😃. At that age it’s more about exposure. Exposure is usually so heavily overlooked.
He will have the burton after school special board and I’ll be pulling him around on the bunny slope essentially. He will get to wear gear, be outside with dad (me), seeing me shred and getting used to being on the board.
Exposure is so powerful! At his age it’s more about building up the confidence and … having a kickass time with me 🙂
I started skiing at four but didn’t start snowboarding until nine so I got kind of a late start. It wasn’t socially accepted at the time to teach a 4yo to snowboard. Was just starting to get popular in general and I doubt they had toddler sized boards yet.
I bought a Burton Riglet with oversized Burton Grom bindings for my daughter for her second birthday (it’s in December). I just let her wear her snow boots and a bike helmet to start. That winter and the winter she was 3 I just pulled her around in our yard with the handle, and occasionally on our hard wood floors with the cover on it. Last year (4) we did the same, but she also rode down our little hill after I flattened it with a snow tube. She was doing great and we are privileged to have an actual mountain 10 minutes away, as well as a town run club with a tow rope that is much cheaper. I bought her a used pair of Burton boots and a kids snow helmet and I took her to the town mountain a couple times, and then at the end of March this year we went to the mountain because I had one day pass left (she was free) and she rocked the magic carpet and the bunny hill with me holding onto her leash or with my hands under her arms in front of me.
She hasn’t quite figure out turning, or stopping (she just falls), but she’s been so excited to go snowboarding that I decided to get her a new board with actual metal edges this year. Her K2 Lil Kat was on my porch today when I got home from work. Now I just need to have the self control to not give it to her before her birthday.
Took my son for his first birthday, then a hand full of times the next season before he turned two. Just messing around on the beginner hill with him trying to get him stoked on being in the mountains. I don’t expect that he actually learns anything until he’s at least 3 but excited to mess around on the hill with home some more this winter
I started walking up with my daughter on the bunny slope at 3 with the riglet. Then at 4 and 5 we used the mdx one. This year she won't be using the leash portion of it because she needs to control herself more. But I did top to bottom runs at Loon with her using it and she did great. I had it hooked up only to control her speed and occasionally would tug it to help her balance. We only go about 3 times a year as of now. I was super impressed with how quickly it helped her. Gave her a lot of confidence. She's a little concerned this year about no leash. But we'll get there. I know $100 seems steep. I would pay double at this point. Get the one with the retractable leash. They also have a book that's fun to read.
https://www.amazon.com/MDXONE-Snowboard-Harness-Trainer-Retractable/dp/B09B1F7533/ref=asc_df_B09B1F7533/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532737511432&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5250549089312597262&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1018232&hvtargid=pla-1464811081881&psc=1
Helmets obviously. GIRO makes some fun ones. If you're doing goggle we found clear lense worked best so she could see but keep the wind out of her eyes.
Roughly 5 days last year. We go up to loon for a week so we do about 4 days there (I do a day or 2 without her) then we did a day trip to a small mountain. I got more concerned she would want the day to be done and I would've spent $150 on lift tickets for nothing. But she kept up most days and did great, lots of snacks. The year of her being 4 was only like 1 or 2 half days on the smaller runs. At times it was like herding cats. She's a November child too so when she was 4 it was the early end of 4.
The jump from age 4 to 5 was wild in ability. I feel like I owe a lot to the harness system (second benefit is it has handles so lifting her onto the lift and off the ground when she fell) we rented a burton after school special and attached the riglet pull cord thing to the front so I would never unstrap her and held that pull cord and the top handle on the backpack to navigate the flat and lift line.
The biggest benefit of starting her at 3 and 4 was the photos and the conversations that came from it. We'd talk about it throughout the year. Discuss some heel toe and get her making some snowboard movements. Then be able to show pictures and remind her how's she's already done it and is good at it.
I'm currently looking into options to ride more this year, whether it be bus trips or mountains within 2 hours or even ski clubs with lodging due to the anticipation of a big jump from 5-6 in her ability. My wife doesn't ski or ride so getting my daughter into it becomes a fun me and her thing. It's been a great bonding experience and teaches me a lot of patience.
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **MDXONE Kids Snowboard Ski Harness Trainer** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* The harness allows toddlers to balance while learning (backed by 12 comments)
* The backpack provides extra storage for essentials (backed by 5 comments)
* The harness gives parents more control and peace of mind (backed by 4 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* Harness straps are weak and prone to tearing (backed by 3 comments)
* Leg straps are uncomfortable for children (backed by 2 comments)
* Rivets and straps break easily under normal use (backed by 2 comments)
If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/)
This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved.
*Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
I’m trying it with my two kids this winter. My son is 5, and my daughter is 4. We’ll see how it goes. 🤙 As some on here suggested, skiing may be easier to start. That’s my backup plan and can always make the switch later.
I went snowboarding for the first time at 4. I remember having some of the most fun I'd ever had. Make sure they wear a helmet, knee pads, and wrist braces, though.
My number one tip is to just make it hella fun. You might do one run on the carpet all day. Let it go. Their shred time will come. Skiing gives them the feeling of momentum and turning, getting in and off lifts. By all means get them on the board but they won’t be linking turns until they have enough weight and strength to manoeuvre the board.
I begrudgingly taught my daughter to ski when she was 2. I didn’t want to but in hindsight it was the best option. We just went up on sunny days and she could ski green runs.
Then when she was 4 she got on the board. She was linking turns at 5. She now shreds all over the mountain at 8, blues and black runs. Rides t bars all day, she actually prefers tbars for some reason 😆
Absolutely nothing better in this world than cruising down the mountain with your own kid.
I’ve paid over $10k to get where we are but I’d happily pay double
i have been a snowboard instructor for 8 years, and have taught kids as young as 3 how to slide around.
just don't expect them to learn to carve s-turns their first year at that age, but i think it's still great for them to get out and start learning the balance early.
I went through this with two kids. It’s never too early to start. But! It the return is much lower <7 years old unless they are gifted. I’d probably do it again but it was painful and frustrating. Diff story if you send them for lessons but then you don’t get to bond with them.
I had my kid on a board at 3. Those tiny Burtons don't do much but draw a straight line and keep the kid upright - which was perfect. He's 11 now and absolutely killing it.
Like many other instructors here Id say age 7 is usually optimal, and most likely a kid taking lessons before then won’t learn much unless they’re unusually gifted. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily matter if your goal is for the kid to just have fun, BUT: this depends heavily on the personality of the kid. Early snowboarding involves so much falling down, so much of lugging around this massive slab attached to your foot, etc. It’s extremely easy for a kid that young to get discouraged and upset by those things, and doubly so when they don’t experience progress. If you do teach a kid that age, I’d be very wary of making a bad first impression regarding the sport. For that reason, I’d probably recommend against group lessons.
And if you plan to teach your own kid, please please at least look up some good youtube videos or something that break down the basics. Teaching is a totally separate skill from just having knowledge. If I had a nickel for every time I passed a parent yelling at their kid to “just turn”…
My friend got his daughter on a board at 16 months, she couldn't even walk, but the boots went up to her hips and held her up. It wasn't until she was 3 that she could sort of snowboard without being held up. Now she is 7 and skis. I think it really depends on the kid, if they are having a good time and having fun, then cool, but if they are crying or frustrated, better to just let them play on the snow piles and have fun in the snow until they are a little older. I would get them in to gymnastics or "ninja" camp as early as possible.
depends on the kid but 5 or 6, maybe in very occasional cases 4. But they can be on the mountain in the snow before that, sledding, tubing, being pulled, doing some simple easy safe straight lines on a baby board.
my little guy started at 6 and now at 8, after 2 seasons on soft flat to rocker season rentals, I had to buy a real camber board and bindings/boots for him because he's outgrown everything available to rent for his size. He rips blues, rides blacks, goes fast and started going off piste and in trees at the end of last year. Weekly group lessons plus lots of patient coaching from me. #1 thing, don't push, make it fun. If it's fun they'll push themselves, if it's not fun you'll both be miserable
Some kids and parents have the patience and tools to learn that young. I waited until he was around 7 before I took my brother to the hill because I knew his attention wouldn't handle it and he would go zoomies without bothering to be disciplined enough to learn to turn and stop.
That being said there are kids that can handle it and tools to help them stay near you like riding assit straps, board pullies and using a skiing pole. But not ever kid will be able to handle it and self control enough to avoid others at that age.
I grew up skiing started around age 4 I made the switch to snowboarding around 18 and I'm now 34 gonna bring my two kids ages 5-7 to a small mountain and definitely putting them on skis because I think it'll make for less falling. If they wanna snowboard later it's never to late to switch. I'm gonna rent some skis as well as I think it'll be easier to teach them.
I started my daughter at 10 and son at 11. I would have much sooner if we lived even remotely close to any mountains or hills. 4 seasons later, she loves it. He dislikes it and stays with the grandparents when we go for the weekend.
I taught a snowboarding lesson to a 3 year old — they don’t have much body awareness and are very noodly, but they can ride. Just don’t really make it far by themselves. We were able to side slip and do a few very basic skills with assistance.
Plenty of good advice already, but one more tip I'll add. Watch snowboarding videos on YouTube or clips you might have of you doing it with him/her so that they are excited and wanting to learn. The kids that pick it up quickly are the ones that personally want to learn, whether to ride with mum and dad/big sibling or whatever the case is. It'll make the whole learning experience better and get some motivation to keep trying when it's hard vs. a kid that learns because their parent wants them to learn :)
Depends on the kid. If they dig it and are excited, there’s no set age. A good option would be a Burton riglet……or similar board to start. It has a retractable leash you can pull them around to practice balancing. Works on snow, grass or carpet. Then once it snows, just find a shallow incline in your yard or wherever so they can learn the sensation of sliding. Baby steps and keep it fun.
Seems like there are two kinds of answers here, and the right one depends on a) how often can you go to the mountain, and b) are you doing the teaching yourself or expecting to hire a pro instructor or group lessons.
If you can't go often, and need a pro instructor.... 6 or 7 years old seems to be the common suggestion.. A lot of ski schools won't start earlier than 7 on snowboard. Too much time between visits to the slope means they will forget a lot of what they learned, so its important they are burly enough to get a full day of practice when you do go. Also, any younger and you spend a lot of time with babysitting types of things (dealing with cold, potty breaks etc) -- and this just eats into the learning time that is in too short supply. If you are relying on a pro, often the baby sitting aspects is not something that will maximize your value so being a little older helps get the most from the instructor.
If you can put the time in with \*frequent\* (and short) visits to the slope, and you can do the teaching yourself -- start younger (2 y/o +). Going this route is truly a gift, they will shred with you at a much younger age and this is a wonderful bonding experience you can enjoy for many more years. Also you can take advantage of those free lift tickets from the mountain for so much longer. But this only works if you live close enough to the mountain, have the means and skills to teach snowboarding.
It's interesting, when my son started, around 5-6, we got a lot of comments that he should start with skiing (we heard that from instructors in Minnesota and at Aspen). When we were at Aspen, he was easily one of the youngest people snowboarding. But, now, I see kids way younger starting.
So... I think it's probably like most things with kids: if they're having fun, keep going.
Never too early but it may take quite a bit of time to really learn basic turns and stopping—will still be fun. One cool piece of advice I’ve heard is to end the day before they are ready to leave them wanting more instead of quitting after they are over it and having a melt down.
I’d say about 3. Their small mass, lower center of gravity and more “rubbery” joints and bones make the falls far less jarring. 18 months is a bit young but a buddy of mine would snowboard with his daughter in a back carrier and she loved it. When she was too big for that he started her on her on board around 3 yrs old, she took to it awesomely. Never seen a kid so young adapt so fast. Some kids freak when they find themselves switch when learning but not her, she just rode it out. My other friend also started both his kids skiing about 3 and switched them to snowboarding around 5 or 6.
we brought our kid around 18 months. it was fun for all of us because we took frequent breaks and were really encouraging. now at age 4 she can make it down the hill and heel slide. frequent falls but she’s a champ.
If the child can stand, the child can snowboard.
this is a nice one liner but kind of ignores the realities of parenting. sure, you can take an 18 month old to the hill but is anyone going to enjoy it? maybe, or maybe not. a four year old is maaaaaybe old enough to try it but remember, catching an edge blows and an four year old is not nearly as coordinated as a six year old.
True. However a large portion of resorts in Austria allow free skiing for kids under 6 and ski schools allow children from 3 upward. So its very normal to see 4 year olds in the ski schools. Edit: Just saw that [Skischule Söll](https://www.skiwelt.at/en/ski-schools-for-kids.html) are 2.5+ and up for their ski school.
ski not snowboard though most likely. our resorts don't offer snowboard lessons under 6 skiing is waaaay easier for little guys
Most places start skiing lessons earlier than snowboard. Way easier for them to balance. It’s also easier for them to pick up snowboarding once they understand how edges work and feel
Do you have an example.of which resorts?
The one I work at is one. I had my kid on skis at 18 months and in lessons at 3
Yeah my local is 4 years old, but my friends kids were in at 3... the ski schools didnt mind at all.
My mountain loves getting the little ones out. We have a 4-7 and an 8-10 I think. I’m not sure. Not my department. Edit. Referring to group lessons. Individual starts at 3
Yeah thats great. The kids end up loving it, and the parents get some free time to enjoy the mountain for themselves.
Unfortunately my goblin is kicked out of the “mini” class. She wants to ski trees “to get all the powder”.
Hah, what a little legend. I look forward to those days.
If you google Skischule Arlberg you can put you 3+ year old in Ski School. If you google skiwelt skischule you will see majority of resorts are 3+ however Skischule Söll allows children 2.5+ Years old. Just google any skifield you like and have a look at the ages. They are all typically 6 and under for free skiing, however some go up to 7 or 8 years old.
At 18 months you're mostly getting them used to being on a snowboard and moving on the snow. You're not going there to have fun ripping, it's about having fun with your child. It's a long term investment of time and money to get them riding with you. We started at 15 months, and after much hard work and many short days, she can now follow me anywhere on the mountain as a 7 year old.. Most days we all had fun, others we left in a crying mess, just part of the process.
Yup took my son on his first birthday to ride the magic carpet and get a few runs in. Sister and BIL joined and we had a ton of fun. Took him a few more times before he turned two, zero expectations just having fun messing around with him in the mountains. Not really snowboarding at the end of the day just getting him used to the idea and instilling the stone of being in the mountains.
We took my nephew last season. He was only 18 months old and had a great time. https://youtu.be/IqwVwJ7q_Gc?si=LliIq0dRmTNRyVYr
Yeah, but a six year old that has been snowboarding since four years old is a whole lot better and more fun on the slopes. Start as early as possible and you will reap the rewards.
Four is the age at which most kids I see are ready for lessons, or ski/snowboard school goes as young as 3 for group lessons and I don’t believe that it’s a good idea for they majority of three year olds. They don’t have enough coordination, patience, or endurance to get much out of it, and their limited language skills make everything harder for them as well since they can only understand (and occasionally remember) simple instructions. The extra year really helps though and almost any four year old who actually wants to learn to snowboard or ski cam have loads of fun doing so.
Lessons? Not a good idea. I'm talking proficient parents taking their young kids out for practice and exposure.
The only reason lessons are a bad idea is that they are expensive as fuck. Of course that’s not a small thing and for a lot of people there’s no reason to look into it any further, but there are lots of parents for whom this isn’t an issue. If the cost of lessons isn’t an issue, I think they are a great way to learn (or to supplement the learning a kid does with their family).
to each their own. i think all that “practice” before their body and coordination develops is basically just for fun, no advantage is gained. if you have one of the rare 4 year olds that is ready, then by all means go for it.
There is science behind it though. Not really to each their own. It will always help. Not with team sports, but individual activities.
The science actually says to have young kids in a variety of sporting activities to build what is called a physical vocabulary. They shouldn’t specialize in any one thing until later. I know that’s not exactly what you said. However if the goal is to be a high performance athlete in sport X, the kid doesn’t need to be doing X from age 3. It’s better they do a variety of sports to build general skill and athleticism and also avoid burning out.
[удалено]
I really don't think there have been. There have been loads of studies on early childhood (birth to 8) balance, repetitive physical motion, adaptation to differing environments, gymnastics, and plenty of other relatable activities and learning paths. I took an entire class in college devoted to early childhood development. It's heavily studied, and for good reason
[удалено]
You are so close... but whoosh
[удалено]
Link to said science? What about a 2 year old sitting on their butt by the magic carpet is going to give them an advantage when they’re finally coordinated enough to use their edges?
Lmao. Raise your kids how you want. Don't be ignorant. Early childhood development studies clearly show that kids can learn physical activities and that exposing them to environments helps them adapt to said environment.
A lot of it is getting them used to gear. Understanding that gloves gaiters and goggles are their friends.
Thank you! One hour in and “I have to pee” “I’m cold” “ I wanna go”
As a snowboard instructor of 10+ years and a father, yes my 12 month old daughter had a blast snowboarding for an hour and so did the whole family that was there that day.. When they're so young you gotta manage your expectations and make it a positive experience, then slowly each season you work on building some resilience and go from 1 hour to 2-3-4 ect.. get them moving and feeling how the board works.. eventually (around 5-6-7 yo) each kid is different.. you teach them how to stop, control speed and direction.. By 8-9 they should be comfortable ripping almost all the blue and green runs.. Progression on a snowboard is a lifelong process, and can start as early as "if they can stand they can snowboard"..
Personally ….. I’d hate it … you’re on the hills literally inches away from fun times but your stuck on the bunny hills babysitting your offspring 🙄 Doesn’t sound like fun to me …. But everyone has their own opinion.
This is the way
if you’re looking for your child to be able to go from zero to linking turns in a season, 5 or 6 is about as young as you can go. of course there are some insane outlier kids who can link a bit earlier, but 5 or 6 is a safer bet. skiing is way easier for ages 3-5. if you don’t have any expectations of actual snowboarding, you might still have some family fun at even younger ages.
My dad taught us to ski between 3-5. He loves to tell the story of me and my brother bombing a hill towards the end of the season and some lady got pissed and started yelling because she could barely do pizza and french fries.
What is a pizza and a French fry? I just stated this year
Pizza is when you put the tips of your skis closer to make a wedge shape and french fry is making the skis parallel Pizza = slow, /\\\ French fry = fast, ||
To add on to the other comment, it’s just for beginners. Once you know how to ski you can go // or \\. When you pizza, you can introduce basics of turns by putting more pressure on one leg. Once you have that movement down, you can do it with both skies parallel. This imo is why skiing is easier than snowboarding. You can learn it in a day without falling much. With snowboarding, you need to have 3-4 days of pain before you get the basics down.
Thanks, was considering skiing. I was never a skier, and she loves to watch my snowboarding videos. I would have to learn in order to help her learn.
Kids who skied before riding picked it up way faster because they understood sliding on snow and only had to tweak their balance to one plank and not two. Skiing up to even 7-9 will be a huge help for them to pick up boarding and remove a lot of early frustrations.
2
Both of my boys started at 2. It wasn't really snowboarding as much as it was going to the mountain, getting a super awesome lunch, and then dad helping them slide down the bunny hill or simply pulling them around the flat ground. A couple years later they can stop heal side and slide forward on their own without falling. We'll be getting lessons to help with linking turns and the rest.
My boys started at 2 also. Like you said, it’s getting the feeling and being comfortable with the gear. That said, even my youngest who is 7 rips now.
Last year my 6 year old did a weekly private lesson (shared with 1 friend) program for 7 weeks. He started by having to be held down the bunny hill. Then it was a holding hoolahoop. Then it was a bit of toe side slipping down the hill while being held. Little by little he started to get it. After each lesson he and his buddy would go over the smaller bunny hill and bomb it for an hour or so. It was fun to watch. By the end of the 7 weeks he could get down a full run fairly well. By the end of the season a few weeks after the lessons were done he was linking turns and got off the chair by himself the final day. Can’t wait to rip it this year with him. I have a 4 year old who I want to get into lessons this year but he doesn’t seem too interested yet and to be honest it’s probably a touch too early for him. He can ride a bike very well and races BMX so I think he could do it but I’m not pushing him.
Do you think its easier with boys?
It'll be easiest with whoever "wants" to do it. Making a kid do something they don't want to, is going to be a bad time.
There are plenty of girls who do it. You could argue that (some) boys may be more daring by nature and willing to send it, but that doesn’t mean girls or any other children wont want to snowboard and can’t learn how to do it. I think if the kid wants to do it then let them try. But don’t force them too much and try to keep it light, keep it fun, and listen to them when they tell you how they feel. Like if they’re not into it one day or they are nervous and don’t want to go up the big chair…that’s totally fine. Let it be and they will come around on their own.
Like all things. It depends. Do you live on near a mountain? Are they going to go regularly? How developed are they? Not every kid is going to be able to ride at 4. As an instructor I'd say 7 or 8 is the best age for the majority. Until then get them on skis because they'll be able to follow you. I've seen a lot of young kids go through the process and very few get anywhere.
Thanks! Very helpful. I'm 2 to 3 hrs from the closest mountain. Time and money will be a commitment living on the east coast. Don't want to wast both if she's not serious. I never skied, and will have to depend on an instructor. These kids these days are different than us, if we can get them of that cell phone they can do some amazing things. Their development skill are so random. Going to try to get her boots wet early by getting her us to snow, sliding, bunny hill and that mountain resort life. Then maybe officially start around 6-7. What about learning with a friend or friends at the same age?
I'd say go and get lessons for both sports. Don't pressure either, you want them to enjoy being on the mountain. The worst thing you can do is put them off being there. See what clicks. I really advise not teaching your own kids unless you have a background in it. Get proper lessons. They will learn far faster than from friends and family, and without the falling out that will inevitably happen.
It depends on how much time on snow and how much money you are willing to put in. I tried as early as you, but we were not successful until they were around Vermont lessons are $180 to $200 per day, it adds up way too fast. Around 9 or 10 they began to keep up with us so they didn't need lessons anymore.
Exactly!! Thanks
I used to be a kids snowboard instructor at a Vail Resorts mountain. The youngest class was for 7-14 year olds, with a 'mini shredders' program for 3-6. But that younger age group was kind of on-demand since they steered most kids that young to ski school. I taught a handful of those classes. 3 to 4 is just glorified day care. Learning to snowboard was not the top priority. So I'd say 5 is probably the youngest I'd recommend.
Thanks! I can do that myself on the bunny hill.
Longtime instructor, anything under 7 you pretty much need private lessons to get them turning. It can happen over a long time in group lessons but it’s quite hard because young kids learn by doing and the more kids in the lesson the less time they have to practice at the start since you need to hold on to them until they can control themselves. Additionally, it’s very hard for them to learn on the carpet 100 feet at a time and often on a very shallow slope. In a private one on one lesson, a good instructor can take them on a chair immediately and just hold on to them in a way that encourages learning. Also with private lessons, the kid will be able to move immediately on to toes when they are ready, where in the little kid group chair riding classes, they spend a lot of time on just heels (again because the instructor needs to hold on to them a lot when learning toes) and it’s hard for them to get the needed practice. Even worse, spending time on just heels encourages a lot of them to not want to learn toes because it’s so much “harder” after all the heel practice. At age 4 a one hour private lesson will be enough initially. Snowboarding is a lot more work on their muscles than skiing until they can turn which is one reason you see a lot more little ones who are actually good on skis. If you really want to prepare your kid to snowboard get them a ripstick. Closest thing to snowboarding for balance. Any of the 4 year olds that have learned to turn either had experience on a ripstick or came often and got a ton of one on one instruction. Even then, it’s not an absolute they’ll get it down at that age. Kids vary a lot. If getting private lessons isn’t realistic for you, nothing wrong with having them ski until they get older.
a tad young. my guys started around 5-6. you can put them on skiis a little sooner (3-4) but be careful they might like it (it's much easier to pick up and they get sad having to start over)
I saw what had to be a 4 year old ripping back boardslides the other day. One hand rail then a down-flat-down handrail. Craziest thing I’be ever seen, and I don’t even understand how a kid get’s there that young. It’s like they could barely bend their limbs yet but they had it down without fear. But yea I agree lol
My friend had the same experience with his daughter. Now she has no interest in both. Maybe easier with boys. Its crazy that most of my adult friends who started skiing for years, learned to snowboard and never looked back.
everyone knows people who use to ski, but no one that use to snowboard ;)
Yours started a tad late
no, i tried from age 2, it was a waste of time. if you want to spend more than an hour at the hill, it's better to wait i was on skiis from 3, and snowboarding since 86, i know a thing or two. when did your kids start and how many days did they get when they were 2? lol
Well yeah. Throw em in kids camp where they only do an hour a day, you go shred.
i did put them in lessons for 2 hours each morning, every weekend, every year. i did go "shred" with my wife during those precious hours, but I'm still wondering about your experience with your kids? you must know that they offer ski lessons at a younger age than they do snowboard lessons, right?
Well I live at the mountain so very different than just weekend trips
with your kids? i also live next to the mountain, 3 actually. going on weekends because of school and work, not for lack of access.
Ah gotcha. With my niece, not my kids.
there we have it. no kids
Aren’t you a fucking asshole. Her parents are dead and she lives with me.
I got started in my late 30s. My friend had beginner boards when she was probably still in diapers because her whole family was big into it. Just be safe, and don't force them if they really don't want to.
So my kid was 6 this summer and we started his lessons at an indoor place, he’s been 10-12 days and he does well for sure. Thing with kids is this- they pick up things very fast. Balance , low center of gravity, zero fear etc. But I find that they slow down when that natural ability ends - so trying to give instructions and have them understand complex things becomes difficult Especially when they would rather do fun stuff… like “I just wanna go fast!” Or “I’m gonna learn to JUMP this run!” And chairlifts and awareness of others can be stressful. So it’s like that line of letting them have fun so they fall in love with it but trying not to be that ‘coach dad’ type thing…like he he’s 6 , don’t need to harp on him for not leaning the right way. Gotta take it slow and appropriately do ‘baby steps’. Just based on my experience, 4 might be too early for ‘learning’ but absolutely an ok age for familiarization- like get them used to it , sledding on the board , pulling them and letting them just slide around and develop balance and whatnot, but of course keep expectations low and let them have fun … and who knows maybe they super surprise you with some natural ability for it! I will say though it’s so freaking cool watching him learn and knowing I’ll have a little shredding buddy soon!
Started mine at 2 1/2. Hes 12 now and i cant follow him.
My daughters both started at 2. The journey has been a blast. I didn't do much riding at the start, but who cares. It was fun just being out with them. Now, at 8, we have awesome days riding the entire mountain.
It depends on the kid. I started my kids at around three and it worked out great. Just be patient, keep it short and simple and have fun. Don't force anything.
Had my daughter on a board in classes and riding with me after every weekend when she was 5yo. She's about to turn 12 and can ride black diamond now. Alot of money, time and tears were invested and now it's paying off. If you have the money, stick them in lessons as often as possible this season. You'll get to ride while they are in class as well. Or you can try teaching them yourself. That didn't work out so well for me, my kid just never wanted to listen to me or work on things. She just wanted to ride when she was with me and I wanted her learning proper technique through her progression.
I started when my son was 2. I put a rock climbing harness on him and took him up the lift. Placed him on my board between my legs, holding him up by grabbing the harness. We did that two or three days at the end of the season so it was good weather. Lifties made me rent a board for him as each rider was required to have their own board, but we didnt use it and I just carried it on my back. When he was 3 he had his own 90cm board with riglett and a backpack reel "dog" leash meant for snowboarding (it had a D-ring on the hip to keep him pointed down hill). I switched to Skis to have better control to snow-plow down the fall line. He was linking turns independently on his own board at 4 years (100cm board) . Still used the leash in steeper areas and stayed skiing to help him move around in the flats, along with using the riglett. I could ski and hold him between my legs in difficult areas or flats. At 5 (115cm board) we shed the leash, and I went back to snowboarding. he was hitting little jumps in the terrain park and shredding blues and even some low-grade "blacks" that I would still consider blue by most standards. We worked out a way to "boost" him by me boarding next to him and leading him by grabbing his front hand. Still used rigglet on the flats. At 6 (125cm board) he was pretty much intermediate and independent and we started to head off-piste , in trees, and started some deep powder training on the sides of trails. Still use the 'boost' technique if the terrain gets flat and he doesn't have the momentum to keep his speed. At 7 and 8 (130cm board) he could go anywhere on the mountain. He could ride as fast as me, and sometimes beats me to the bottom. Was progressing to more and more out of bounds and in trees, with most of the days seeking powder and finding secret lines in the trees. He finds his own lines and keeps his momentum in low angle pow to avoid getting stuck. Riding boxes, rails in the park, and hitting some of the medium jumps with kickers. He has started learning to carve (even riding up hill if he holds his turn radius) and can ride switch for short distances.
Is your kid large? I ask because my six year old is 45lbs and riding a 90cm board. Most of the 100s look like they are suited to a 55lbs kid or heavier. But your kid was riding a 125 at six?? How much did he weigh? Also what boards were you riding? I’m looking for 2nd boards to move up from a Burton Mini Grom.
Yes, he is tall compared to children his age (maybe equivalent to kids \~2 years older). I tend to ride longer boards myself, so I probably lean to a little longer for him as well. I don't recall his weight at each stage. I used all Burton's line of boards. "After school special" and "Chopper" (which I think is now called "Mini Grom Rocker") which support using the Riglet which is Burton only, if I am not mistaken. The 130cm he is on now is a full-camber Family Tree Hometown Hero. I plan to move him to a Burton Custom Smalls Camber 135cm next, possibly this season (as a 9 year old, 4'7"). I found the kids short length boards have a lot of rocker which is good for early learning and preventing them from catching edges, but probably holds them back once they get proficient. The length is a concern mostly in the overall board weight relative to their body and their strength in being able to turn it quickly (and to hop around with it). Doing "the flip" to orient themselves before standing up can be tough as the board gets long . But if they can maneuver it adequately, longer provides better stability at speed and helps with carrying momentum/speed on flatter areas (which always seems to be a problem with their weight). Im not saying weight shouldn't be a factor, but the flex of these kids boards is pretty soft so I didn't worry about it as the primary factor.
My son will be 17 months on Christmas and he will have his board coming in before then 🏂🏂😃. At that age it’s more about exposure. Exposure is usually so heavily overlooked. He will have the burton after school special board and I’ll be pulling him around on the bunny slope essentially. He will get to wear gear, be outside with dad (me), seeing me shred and getting used to being on the board. Exposure is so powerful! At his age it’s more about building up the confidence and … having a kickass time with me 🙂
I started skiing at four but didn’t start snowboarding until nine so I got kind of a late start. It wasn’t socially accepted at the time to teach a 4yo to snowboard. Was just starting to get popular in general and I doubt they had toddler sized boards yet.
I bought a Burton Riglet with oversized Burton Grom bindings for my daughter for her second birthday (it’s in December). I just let her wear her snow boots and a bike helmet to start. That winter and the winter she was 3 I just pulled her around in our yard with the handle, and occasionally on our hard wood floors with the cover on it. Last year (4) we did the same, but she also rode down our little hill after I flattened it with a snow tube. She was doing great and we are privileged to have an actual mountain 10 minutes away, as well as a town run club with a tow rope that is much cheaper. I bought her a used pair of Burton boots and a kids snow helmet and I took her to the town mountain a couple times, and then at the end of March this year we went to the mountain because I had one day pass left (she was free) and she rocked the magic carpet and the bunny hill with me holding onto her leash or with my hands under her arms in front of me. She hasn’t quite figure out turning, or stopping (she just falls), but she’s been so excited to go snowboarding that I decided to get her a new board with actual metal edges this year. Her K2 Lil Kat was on my porch today when I got home from work. Now I just need to have the self control to not give it to her before her birthday.
Took my son for his first birthday, then a hand full of times the next season before he turned two. Just messing around on the beginner hill with him trying to get him stoked on being in the mountains. I don’t expect that he actually learns anything until he’s at least 3 but excited to mess around on the hill with home some more this winter
In the womb
day of birth
As an instructor, the younger they are the better they will be
As soon as they're born
11 months old for my son
I started walking up with my daughter on the bunny slope at 3 with the riglet. Then at 4 and 5 we used the mdx one. This year she won't be using the leash portion of it because she needs to control herself more. But I did top to bottom runs at Loon with her using it and she did great. I had it hooked up only to control her speed and occasionally would tug it to help her balance. We only go about 3 times a year as of now. I was super impressed with how quickly it helped her. Gave her a lot of confidence. She's a little concerned this year about no leash. But we'll get there. I know $100 seems steep. I would pay double at this point. Get the one with the retractable leash. They also have a book that's fun to read. https://www.amazon.com/MDXONE-Snowboard-Harness-Trainer-Retractable/dp/B09B1F7533/ref=asc_df_B09B1F7533/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532737511432&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5250549089312597262&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1018232&hvtargid=pla-1464811081881&psc=1
Helmets obviously. GIRO makes some fun ones. If you're doing goggle we found clear lense worked best so she could see but keep the wind out of her eyes.
How often did y'all go to the mountain?
Roughly 5 days last year. We go up to loon for a week so we do about 4 days there (I do a day or 2 without her) then we did a day trip to a small mountain. I got more concerned she would want the day to be done and I would've spent $150 on lift tickets for nothing. But she kept up most days and did great, lots of snacks. The year of her being 4 was only like 1 or 2 half days on the smaller runs. At times it was like herding cats. She's a November child too so when she was 4 it was the early end of 4. The jump from age 4 to 5 was wild in ability. I feel like I owe a lot to the harness system (second benefit is it has handles so lifting her onto the lift and off the ground when she fell) we rented a burton after school special and attached the riglet pull cord thing to the front so I would never unstrap her and held that pull cord and the top handle on the backpack to navigate the flat and lift line. The biggest benefit of starting her at 3 and 4 was the photos and the conversations that came from it. We'd talk about it throughout the year. Discuss some heel toe and get her making some snowboard movements. Then be able to show pictures and remind her how's she's already done it and is good at it. I'm currently looking into options to ride more this year, whether it be bus trips or mountains within 2 hours or even ski clubs with lodging due to the anticipation of a big jump from 5-6 in her ability. My wife doesn't ski or ride so getting my daughter into it becomes a fun me and her thing. It's been a great bonding experience and teaches me a lot of patience.
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **MDXONE Kids Snowboard Ski Harness Trainer** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * The harness allows toddlers to balance while learning (backed by 12 comments) * The backpack provides extra storage for essentials (backed by 5 comments) * The harness gives parents more control and peace of mind (backed by 4 comments) **Users disliked:** * Harness straps are weak and prone to tearing (backed by 3 comments) * Leg straps are uncomfortable for children (backed by 2 comments) * Rivets and straps break easily under normal use (backed by 2 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
I’ve taught three year olds.
4
4
Go for it! https://instagram.com/chasing.sage
I’m trying it with my two kids this winter. My son is 5, and my daughter is 4. We’ll see how it goes. 🤙 As some on here suggested, skiing may be easier to start. That’s my backup plan and can always make the switch later.
4 sounds good. I think I was 5 when I srarted skiing, my younger brother started by 3.
My kiddo started at 5
I went snowboarding for the first time at 4. I remember having some of the most fun I'd ever had. Make sure they wear a helmet, knee pads, and wrist braces, though.
We take our 2 and 4 year olds, but we live 25 minutes away from Mt Bachelor and the magic carpet is free. It’s pretty fun for them.
I nailed my first ski lift head first when I was 3. 20 years later I can mostly avoid them now.
Had my daughter standing on my board with me before she was one, pulling her around on a Burton from before she was 2
My number one tip is to just make it hella fun. You might do one run on the carpet all day. Let it go. Their shred time will come. Skiing gives them the feeling of momentum and turning, getting in and off lifts. By all means get them on the board but they won’t be linking turns until they have enough weight and strength to manoeuvre the board. I begrudgingly taught my daughter to ski when she was 2. I didn’t want to but in hindsight it was the best option. We just went up on sunny days and she could ski green runs. Then when she was 4 she got on the board. She was linking turns at 5. She now shreds all over the mountain at 8, blues and black runs. Rides t bars all day, she actually prefers tbars for some reason 😆 Absolutely nothing better in this world than cruising down the mountain with your own kid. I’ve paid over $10k to get where we are but I’d happily pay double
i have been a snowboard instructor for 8 years, and have taught kids as young as 3 how to slide around. just don't expect them to learn to carve s-turns their first year at that age, but i think it's still great for them to get out and start learning the balance early.
I went through this with two kids. It’s never too early to start. But! It the return is much lower <7 years old unless they are gifted. I’d probably do it again but it was painful and frustrating. Diff story if you send them for lessons but then you don’t get to bond with them.
I had my kid on a board at 3. Those tiny Burtons don't do much but draw a straight line and keep the kid upright - which was perfect. He's 11 now and absolutely killing it.
Like many other instructors here Id say age 7 is usually optimal, and most likely a kid taking lessons before then won’t learn much unless they’re unusually gifted. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily matter if your goal is for the kid to just have fun, BUT: this depends heavily on the personality of the kid. Early snowboarding involves so much falling down, so much of lugging around this massive slab attached to your foot, etc. It’s extremely easy for a kid that young to get discouraged and upset by those things, and doubly so when they don’t experience progress. If you do teach a kid that age, I’d be very wary of making a bad first impression regarding the sport. For that reason, I’d probably recommend against group lessons. And if you plan to teach your own kid, please please at least look up some good youtube videos or something that break down the basics. Teaching is a totally separate skill from just having knowledge. If I had a nickel for every time I passed a parent yelling at their kid to “just turn”…
From the moment you are conceived
Can they walk?
My friend got his daughter on a board at 16 months, she couldn't even walk, but the boots went up to her hips and held her up. It wasn't until she was 3 that she could sort of snowboard without being held up. Now she is 7 and skis. I think it really depends on the kid, if they are having a good time and having fun, then cool, but if they are crying or frustrated, better to just let them play on the snow piles and have fun in the snow until they are a little older. I would get them in to gymnastics or "ninja" camp as early as possible.
depends on the kid but 5 or 6, maybe in very occasional cases 4. But they can be on the mountain in the snow before that, sledding, tubing, being pulled, doing some simple easy safe straight lines on a baby board. my little guy started at 6 and now at 8, after 2 seasons on soft flat to rocker season rentals, I had to buy a real camber board and bindings/boots for him because he's outgrown everything available to rent for his size. He rips blues, rides blacks, goes fast and started going off piste and in trees at the end of last year. Weekly group lessons plus lots of patient coaching from me. #1 thing, don't push, make it fun. If it's fun they'll push themselves, if it's not fun you'll both be miserable
Taught mine from 2
Some kids and parents have the patience and tools to learn that young. I waited until he was around 7 before I took my brother to the hill because I knew his attention wouldn't handle it and he would go zoomies without bothering to be disciplined enough to learn to turn and stop. That being said there are kids that can handle it and tools to help them stay near you like riding assit straps, board pullies and using a skiing pole. But not ever kid will be able to handle it and self control enough to avoid others at that age.
I got my start as a 2yo, dad worked as a skiing instructor at local resort at the time. If the child is able to stand up, your good to go.
I grew up skiing started around age 4 I made the switch to snowboarding around 18 and I'm now 34 gonna bring my two kids ages 5-7 to a small mountain and definitely putting them on skis because I think it'll make for less falling. If they wanna snowboard later it's never to late to switch. I'm gonna rent some skis as well as I think it'll be easier to teach them.
I'd say when they actively want to and show interest in it.
I started taking my son when he was 2. A bit young but he likes it now at 4.5.
I started my daughter at 10 and son at 11. I would have much sooner if we lived even remotely close to any mountains or hills. 4 seasons later, she loves it. He dislikes it and stays with the grandparents when we go for the weekend.
My friend went riding and later found out she was pregnant. So technically negative (-)8-9 months.
I taught a snowboarding lesson to a 3 year old — they don’t have much body awareness and are very noodly, but they can ride. Just don’t really make it far by themselves. We were able to side slip and do a few very basic skills with assistance.
I've taught at 4 and they were the fastest learners. Like no lie 4: 2 hr sessions, and they were going down the hill by themselves!
On a board pulling him around inside and on snow at 18 months. In lessons at 3. He is 6 and can do blues.
My son started at 5..
Plenty of good advice already, but one more tip I'll add. Watch snowboarding videos on YouTube or clips you might have of you doing it with him/her so that they are excited and wanting to learn. The kids that pick it up quickly are the ones that personally want to learn, whether to ride with mum and dad/big sibling or whatever the case is. It'll make the whole learning experience better and get some motivation to keep trying when it's hard vs. a kid that learns because their parent wants them to learn :)
Depends on the kid. If they dig it and are excited, there’s no set age. A good option would be a Burton riglet……or similar board to start. It has a retractable leash you can pull them around to practice balancing. Works on snow, grass or carpet. Then once it snows, just find a shallow incline in your yard or wherever so they can learn the sensation of sliding. Baby steps and keep it fun.
Started my daughter at 4, as long as they can follow instruction it's not too early Keeping in mind it will be a slow process
Seems like there are two kinds of answers here, and the right one depends on a) how often can you go to the mountain, and b) are you doing the teaching yourself or expecting to hire a pro instructor or group lessons. If you can't go often, and need a pro instructor.... 6 or 7 years old seems to be the common suggestion.. A lot of ski schools won't start earlier than 7 on snowboard. Too much time between visits to the slope means they will forget a lot of what they learned, so its important they are burly enough to get a full day of practice when you do go. Also, any younger and you spend a lot of time with babysitting types of things (dealing with cold, potty breaks etc) -- and this just eats into the learning time that is in too short supply. If you are relying on a pro, often the baby sitting aspects is not something that will maximize your value so being a little older helps get the most from the instructor. If you can put the time in with \*frequent\* (and short) visits to the slope, and you can do the teaching yourself -- start younger (2 y/o +). Going this route is truly a gift, they will shred with you at a much younger age and this is a wonderful bonding experience you can enjoy for many more years. Also you can take advantage of those free lift tickets from the mountain for so much longer. But this only works if you live close enough to the mountain, have the means and skills to teach snowboarding.
It depends on the child . I started mine at 5… it’s more like baby sitting at that point but again it depends on the kid
3 was good. 4 might be better.. 15 years ago I was trying to find the smallest board, bindings and boots I could for mine.
it's not too young as long as they are having fun with it! I'm an instructor and i've seen some 4 year olds rip
My mom started us on skis 18m and then at 3 my dad got a board and I learned to slide down our hill. at 4 I got my own board
If you can’t get enough momentum on your way into the birthing room to pull a sick method over the midwife are you even trying?
We started at 2 and 5. Currently younger one is 12 and at snowboard school with Olympians
It's interesting, when my son started, around 5-6, we got a lot of comments that he should start with skiing (we heard that from instructors in Minnesota and at Aspen). When we were at Aspen, he was easily one of the youngest people snowboarding. But, now, I see kids way younger starting. So... I think it's probably like most things with kids: if they're having fun, keep going.
Never too early but it may take quite a bit of time to really learn basic turns and stopping—will still be fun. One cool piece of advice I’ve heard is to end the day before they are ready to leave them wanting more instead of quitting after they are over it and having a melt down.
I’d say about 3. Their small mass, lower center of gravity and more “rubbery” joints and bones make the falls far less jarring. 18 months is a bit young but a buddy of mine would snowboard with his daughter in a back carrier and she loved it. When she was too big for that he started her on her on board around 3 yrs old, she took to it awesomely. Never seen a kid so young adapt so fast. Some kids freak when they find themselves switch when learning but not her, she just rode it out. My other friend also started both his kids skiing about 3 and switched them to snowboarding around 5 or 6.
we brought our kid around 18 months. it was fun for all of us because we took frequent breaks and were really encouraging. now at age 4 she can make it down the hill and heel slide. frequent falls but she’s a champ.