4 minute read
Can my child learn to snowboard
Can my child learn to snowboard before they ski?
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It has been a question pondered by many parents and the answer hasn’t been easily accessible. We’re here to change that and give you all the information you need for an informed decision. Let’s look at the common questions and statements made by people and explore the answers.
1. Is there even snowboard equipment small enough for my child?
If you go back 20 years then the answer would be; no there isn’t small enough snowboard equipment. Kids were trying to learn on adult equipment they couldn’t really use because their feet weren’t big enough for the adults board. This is where the statement “kids under 7 can’t snowboard” originated from.
Now fast forward 20 years and snowboard companies have realised there is a much bigger market available and small snowboard equipment is becoming more and more accessible. Currently you can get snowboards as small as 70cm. 2. Doesn’t my child need to ski first?
Yes, says the ski instructor and yes says the majority of the people out there. Why?
It is in a ski instructors’ best interest to promote skiing as it ensures job security, just like it is the same for a snowboard instructor to promote snowboarding.
Majority of people out there that grew up with the snow from a young age definitely skied first because of the equipment issue covered earlier. People speak from experience. At this point in time there isn’t many adults out there that snowboarded first as a kid. This of course is changing every day.
3. Isn’t Skiing easier to start with?
The saying that is said way too much is skiing is easier to begin with but harder to master.
If you take an average first-time skier kid vs snowboarder kid and have them in lessons for a week, I can guarantee they will be at a similar ability level, at least turning down runs.
If you want to compare them over just a day then the majority of the time the skier will be more mobile than the snowboarder. The skier can ski easier straight
away because its more similar to walking, an activity kids do every day. Whereas the snowboarder needs to find their balance on heels and toes so they can effectively use their edges, and this only takes an extra day or two. So yes, skiing is easier to begin with, for the first day, but once they find their balance, they are pretty similar in difficulty levels.
4. Isn’t it easier for me if my child skis?
Let’s look at the typical first-time family trying to get to ski school on time. We’ve got the parents trying to carry all the kid’s skis and poles because the kids are struggling to walk in ski boots let alone carry their own skis and poles as well. On the other hand, kids are able to walk much more easily in their snowboard boots with snowboard under one arm.
A great tip for skiers and snowboarder parents is to have a backpack you can strap your kid’s equipment to so you’re in a better position to help your kids.
5. Won’t my child get hurt more from snowboarding?
This is a common statement because you see a lot of beginner snowboarders out there falling over. Kids have a lower centre of gravity and are a lot more flexible than adults. Most common injuries for snowboarders are tail bones and wrists, both of which you can buy safety equipment for in the form of impact shorts and wrist guards.
6. Is it even your choice?
No not really, it’s all down to your kid. If they want to snowboard, let them snowboard, if they want to ski, let them ski. They may not have an opinion to begin with but once they have made up their mind, please don’t deny your child the chance for fun. They’ll always have more fun doing what they want to do, not what their parents are making them do. That’s the whole point of skiing and snowboarding isn’t it? To have fun.
Whatever decision your child makes, a great instructor can make all the difference. They’re able to make it fun and exciting for your kids while keeping them safe and progressing at the child’s pace. We highly recommend private lessons to begin with, with more one on one time, you’ll end up getting much more value for your money. Once they are turning down runs then you can put them back in group classes if they prefer or keep going with privates for more benefits.
