Skiing is fun for all ages; however, teaching children to ski can be difficult and time consuming. The need to hold on to ski poles is what makes the activity a bit difficult for young children to learn. Why not consider snowboarding instead? Snowboarding is easier to teach children as there is less need for coordination, which can be more difficult for children to learn. Plus, they don’t need any extra gear to hold on to, like ski poles. Here are some tips for getting your kids started on snowboarding:
Get the right gear
First, visit a store that specializes in outdoor snowboarding gear and head down the kid’s aisle. You’ll want to get help from a vendor to make sure you’re getting the right gear. They will also make sure you select the correct sizes. Of course, your child will need warm clothing, especially a winter jacket, as well as gloves, a hat, a scarf, goggles, and special boots that will clip onto the snowboard. Of course, you’ll also need to select the right size snowboard for your child. The size of all of this gear depends on your child’s age, weight, and height, so it’s imperative that you bring your child with you while you shop. Don’t forget to buy them a helmet. While a head injury isn’t something you often think about when skiing or snowboarding, the fact is that it’s a very real danger, especially when the snow is hard and the mountain is busy. Collisions and falls do happen and bumps to the head are a real concern. Also, a child’s head is more fragile than an adult’s, so a helmet for them is absolutely critical. Don’t think about taking them out on the slopes without one.
get lessons
Now that he has all the right gear, he wants to hit the slopes with his son. However, do not let them try this sport without first receiving lessons. Kids need to know the basics of snowboarding before they try it. Be sure to hire a certified instructor to teach them the basics. Any good winter center will have lessons available. If you choose a resort that caters to families with children, they will almost certainly have an instructor available who specializes in teaching children. For kids, they often learn best in groups, so try a group snowboard lesson.
Security First
Security should be your number 1 priority, of course. Before you let them slide down the rabbit slopes, you want to make sure they have all the proper equipment, as well as instruction and supervision. You may also want to pick up specialized safety gear if you’ve never been on the slopes before, like special pants that have extra padding in the back. There’s no doubt that your child will fall face down at least a few times while snowboarding, so this extra padding will ensure they don’t get hurt. Also, make sure the child knows how to fall safely. Hold your hands the first few times on that rabbit slope; It will make all the difference in the world for them.