In the past, the advice has been to get the kids skiing first. There was a valid reason for this. However, until recently there was a huge absence of appropriate equipment for snowboarders who are just beginning their journey and we’re aware that beginning to learn to ski or board using equipment that isn’t properly fitted can cause a lot of trouble! Luckily, Burton has solved the equipment issue by introducing new boards and bindings specifically designed for children’s shredders. They allow the kids to begin their journey in the snow as young as age 2! The boards made of plastic called “Riglet” feature a retractable handle for cable that allows an instructor or parent to regulate the speed, direction and even tow children. They’ve also made to be easy to use, and come with the boots’ velcro closure as well as single strap bindings that make it simple to get kids aged 2 and above in the snow and on their bikes within a matter of minutes.
The other reason we’ve heard about waiting until children are older to be able to ride boards is that snowboarding is a sport that requires more muscle strength that children younger (under eight years old) do not have But is it true?
Snowboarding is a natural stance for children and I think they are less prone to injury than skis (no chances of twisting legs, etc.) therefore there’s nothing wrong with children who do not have the physical strength required to board. It’s just a matter of sitting up on the board and then going straight. For the edges to be used is a matter of once they’re ready. generally , at the age of three, the majority of children are ready to begin using the edge at the heel. It is as a matter of being prepared as well as physically and as soon as they have the ability to comprehend the advantages of turning , they can begin this process.
Every child develops and advance according to their own individual pace as well as their muscular development and skeletal development as well as their progress on the slopes. So the most important thing is to make sure that they be having fun. To ensure this occurs, We have a few essential tips for kids of all ages who are taking to the slopes for the first time, whether skiing or boarding.
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Top Tips for First-Timers
Give your kids the option of whether they’d prefer to snowboard or ski is irrelevant in the long run as long as they’re enjoying themselves.
Do not try to get them to learn both trying to learn both snowboarding and skiing at the same time just be confusing and drastically slow the progress of one or both sports.
Make sure to give them time on the slope in small doses . Keep the duration short and sweet, and don’t overdo it. (hot chocolate breaks always taste great! ).
Do not teach your kids by yourself . It’s worth investing in classes with an expert in order to accelerate their progress Keep them safe, ensure that they have enjoyable times as well (most importantly) keep a clear-cut line of communication between the family!
Offer your children an option for a snack in the event of an emergency that they can carry around inside their purses (PowderBeds suggestion… treat-sized candy bars, or boxes filled with raisins are an easy-to-carry sugar fix).
They are not gloves, but they are much simpler to put off and put on and are usually warmer as well.
We’ve now established that kids can be into snowboarding from the age of two, as long as they’re prepared to learn, the question is which is the best location for them to begin their learning?
There are a myriad of fantastic resorts to learn how to snowboard at both Europe as well as North America, but here are our top five:
Best Resorts to Learn How to Snowboard
Avoriaz – firmly on very top of our lists. Burton have put their magic wand on Avoriaz and, as well as being located close to Geneva Avoriaz, this family-friendly resort also happens to be the home of its personal Burton Riglet park as well as shops in town carry Riglet equipment that is available for hire.
Whistler World-class resort that is a paradise for children The ski or snowboarding schools of North America have been ahead of the curve and have been getting children younger than them to snowboard for a long time. There is also an Burton Riglet park and once the youngsters are on the slopes, they can easily go across the entire mountain in blue and green pistes, which means there’s no need to be in the beginner section. Children can take part in snowboarding lessons in groups at Whistler mountain starting at age 4 and take private lessons from 2.5yrs old.
Les Arcs – Massively family and pet-friendly, Les Arcs offers plenty of lifts, which are all available for free for those who are just beginning to use some of the easy trails to start your journey. Then there’s an array of lovely blue and green runs to begin exploring and many are spacious and smooth that make a distinction when getting used to turning. Take a look at Mille 8 as well which is a great adventure zone for children to enjoy a ride or explore after a long day and relax in the pools and sledging.In regards to lessons New Generation offer private snowboarding lessons for children aged 5 and above as well as group classes (not specifically designed for kids) starting at age 10. Kids can participate in classes through Spirit from Arc 1950 starting at age 8 and join the ESF starting at age 8 for school holidays , and age 10 during throughout the year.
La Rosiere La Rosiere Les Arcs, this lesser well-known resort has more tranquil slopes and an elegant resort centre. Children can take part in Evolution 2 group lessons from age 8 and ESF lessons starting at age 8 in school holidays and age 10 in off-peak times. After you’ve gained some knowledge, you can move to the more sloping Italian part of the mountain, but it’s ideal for beginners because approximately 90% of La Rosiere terrain is suitable for novices, so there’s plenty of room for progress.
Alpe d’Huez – Known as one of the most sunny resorts of the Alps, Alpe d’Huez is ideal for children learning because its slopes that face south usually keeps kids from getting cold. Additionally, the beginner section located above the resort offers plenty of green trails that can be easily accessed via several lifts that have a lower beginner pass. The local ESF has several meeting places at the bottom of the resort as well as an excellent play area that kids can play in. Similar to every ESF bases, snowboard lessons start at the age of 10 in off-peak weeks and at age 8 during school holiday.