By Mountain Mama \ February 23 2016
Word on the street has always been "your kids must ski before they snowboard". My question is "why?" Wondering who wrote that rule and if you did your own "unofficial" poll, you'd probably come up with the same answer-yes, skiing must come first!
I am going to disagree. Why not let your child decide? If they want to play soccer, do you tell them "no, you need to play basketball first?" I'm guessing not, so if they come to you and want to learn how to snowboard, let them do it. With that said, the learning curve is a little more challenging. Little fellas have weak ankles and little legs, so the muscles it takes to turn that snowboard is a bit harder. If they want to do it, they'll learn. I did a lot of lessons that first year and it was totally worth it.
Here we are on season number 5-yep, he's turning 9 in a few weeks—and life with Brennan the snowboarding has certainly been interesting. I have learned that snowboarders often times get a bit of a bad rap and are really a much more carefree group in general. That describes this child for sure. Emily is a beautiful skier; goes down the hill so effortlessly, quietly with perfect lines. Bren-has to hit every jump, go around every tree, try a new trick or spin on every trip down the mountain.
1. Longer jackets are key. Over the bum certainly helps when they are sitting down to latch into their bindings after getting off the chairlift. My favorite is Killtec. This is carried by many different shops and comes in bright colors. It tends to run a little longer for that "over the bum" effect. Em tends to wear a "cute" fitted type jacket while skiing. Maybe it's a girl thing too.
2. Good insulated board pants. There is a lot of time sitting on the ground, so make sure you have good waterproof pants as you'll find a wet bum on a cold day on the chairlift is no fun. I prefer more of a bib pant for kids 5 and under and then just the pants for the older kids. I like the 686 pants as the waist is pretty adjustable.
3. Mittens. Always my biggest challenge. This year I went with a leather glove with a built in liner from Swany. After years of searching, yes, I may have finally hit the jackpot. Bren prefers the gloves as he can buckle his bindings without taking his gloves off. Emily prefers mittens as they keep her hands warmer. Both have built in fleece gloves inside and for the first time....warm hands!
4. Face mask. Emily still prefers a neck gaiter. Bren likes to be like his teammates and have a thin balaclava. My new thing this year is the balaclava made by terramar. Super thin so fits under the helmet and can stretch over the face. On a cold day, I'd still throw a neck gaiter in the pocket.
5. Socks can be thicker. In a ski boot, thinner socks fit better. In snowboard boots, thicker is fine. Burton makes all kinds of fancy fun socks and they are comfy.
1. As I alluded to above, there is no straight shot down the mountain. Bren is always scoping out some jump to hit, tree to go around, rock to jump over. You'll hear a lot of "dude, did you see that". Did you notice all snowboarders have a gopro? Even Bren has one. Yes, skiers do as well, but for some reason boarders are filming all this "big air" that is happening.
2. Terrain parks. Can I tell you how much time I've spent in terrain parks? Not actually doing anything but skidding along the side, but watching the line Bren picks as he eyes every rain, box, pipe... yes, having to learn the names of everything has been fun.
Different snowboard disciplines:
Not to say skiers don't do these things, they absolutely do, but Emily doesn't have the interest.
1.Half pipe: Shaun White became known for this. A giant "pipe" in the snow where riders can ride up either side and practice their flips, jumps... Bren not there yet.
2. Boarder cross: A course is built where riders race down together over jumps, banks and rollers to speed to the finish.
3. Alpine events: GS and Slalom which is a bit more common in skiing where riders race through gates and are timed.
4. Slopestyle: The newest Olympic event where riders jump over a series of jumps, rails, boxes..to perform tricks that are judged. Bren had his first event in this and loved it! As mentioned in a previous blog, this is his dream.
Different things that are cool:
1. Stickers: Oh my gosh, what is with stickers. Bren has a zillion stickers on his board and they keep coming. We have to always have a sticker collection at all times. Em, nothing on her skis.
2. Sayings: Dude, that was sick, what up....it is like there is a special language going on here.
3. Crashes: I can't even tell you the amount of unbelievable falls Bren has had and up he gets. Is it just me or can boarders absorb unbelievable falls and bounce up like nothing happened? I would be done for the year.
4. All the grabs and moves. Bren wrote a book on explaining all this lingo.
Going with the flow. Please take this with a perspective of a Mom watching a very disciplined ski racer vs a silly, jumping, daring snowboarder. This is not to say that all of the above cannot apply to skiers as well, but this is just my observation as I learn to be a "boarder Mom". I love the carefree, try anything attitude. It has made me tough watching it with one eye closed. As I hear "Mom, I caught huge air today, did a front somersault, landed on my head and my goggles filled up with snow". Breath, breath...it will be a fun, scary, adventurous ride. As his competition turn has arrived with one Alpine event and one Slopestyle event under his belt, Brennan says "now it's my turn...."
One last note....I bought Brennan a motorcycle back/chest vest support. It slips over his head and gives him that little extra padding in the event he has a big fall on his back or chest.
Please feel free to share your adventure stories with me.
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7 Comments
Dave \ 4.9 years ago
I'm getting my third kid on a board now, from the start. I bought the first one skis also, one run, she was done. Tips, teach them how to stand on a snowskate-toy type snowboard from 2 years up on the sledding hill. this way they will be able to unload from a chair most times from day one. Shorts with built in butt and hip pads are nice for the first year, or when they aren't self conscious about it. I also recommend mittens or gloves with built in wrist guards from Level, I got ours at Xsportsprotective.
If you board, do a lot of one on one teaching where you hold hands and teach them falling leaf together on their heelsides. Then let them go. Group lessons are less effective than with skiing because the kids need to be picked up regularly if they are young. Buy them a private lesson and watch what a good instructor does. Best to learn how to teach the sport then make the time, it's a fun thing to share that they'll remember.
Toe side they have to learn standing by themselves or holding your hands while you are on foot. If you are on a board they will get hurt falling into your board edge. Give then a little practice with you holding a hand and then let them go on their own way.
n/a \ 4.9 years ago
Hi Dave. Thanks for the tips. I like those pants with pads idea. Who makes those? I also agree on a private lesson. Once they get the hang of it, then they can go in a group, but if you can do a private or 2, the kids will move along quickly. since Brennan was pretty small, the chairlift thing was a little stressful. It's important to make sure their board is facing straight out and then I would just put his arm around mine and boost him down. If it's a gentle slope off, it's fine. For the steeper ones, you have to be quick yourself. Believe me, I've knocked us both over. Thanks!
Emily \ 4.9 years ago
I taught skiing and snowboarding for years, and my boss (a skier) made the same claim. Teaching to ski first is easier. And for 1000 different reason I disagree. Here are few reasons: 1. They don't even need to know how to walk to get them on a snowboard. Yes, if you try to teach your child to skate and they can't walk your gonna have a bad time, but you can teach them sliding on an edge with both feet strapped in. 2. They don't have to get 'untwisted' after falling down. 3. You can pull them around on flat ground to teach them how to direct their snowboard. 4. No yard sales. 5. Less gear means they can carry it all by themselves from a young age. 6. Progressing in snowboarding get easier and easier. Progressing in skiing gets harder. (I say this because getting someone to wedge on skis is easy, but converting that movement into the ideal parallel is challenging. The hardest step in snowboarding is learning the s-turn. Everything else builds on that movement, but skiing builds on parallel turns).
n/a \ 4.9 years ago
Thanks Emily. I agree in the progress being faster on a snowboard.. My main point is letting them do what they want. I have had so many parents tell me their child wants to snowboard but they don't want them to and want them to get good at skiing first. I believe in supporting them in their interest, not yours. And yes, if you don't snowboard, it may be harder but the key is supporting and cheering on their passion first!
Jon Clark \ 4.9 years ago
So stoked to hear Bren's progress! The first day I met him I knew he had the personality of a snowboarder. I don't even know how much time we spent just spinning around on the 2-3 inches of snow on the grass and he loved every minute of it! What team is he riding for; the Park city team or Team Utah?
n/a \ 4.9 years ago
I think he was 4 when he came to you! That is when this all started. He loves it and has really taken to the sport. He is with Team Utah. Would love to see you again!
benji \ 4.9 years ago
hardest part as a skiing parent and a child snowboarder is traversing over the flats, while it's easy for myself and my daughter to ski/skate over the long flat catwalks, my son has issues keeping his speed and mostly ends up awkwardly trying to frog hop behind us or if i'm in a hurry, i have to pick up him!
Shred \ 4.9 years ago
Again, missing the point. If you son or daughter WANTS to snowboard you should encourage them. Not serve your own interest. I was raised a ski racer but took up snowboarding with my boy. We shared the learning curve together. Best thing I've ever done. Oh and Mountain Momma nailed it with the 'go with the flow mentality.' Much better vibe than race life.
n/a \ 4.9 years ago
Benji, I have really strong arms in pulling Bren across the flats with my pole. When he was really young, I put him between my skis, had him put his arms around my legs and used my poles to push us across the flats. Or, give him one of your poles.
Kane \ 4.9 years ago
Way to keep an open mind, I wish you were my mom! ;)
n/a \ 4.9 years ago
How sweet are you. I bet your Mom is awesome and takes you up to the mountains when you want to go!
Sean Zahm \ 4.9 years ago
Thanks for this! I'm a boarder myself and have decided to raise my daughter on a board first. She's just now two and does about 15min at a time on the board. A lot of people tell me I need to start her off on skis but she seems to be just fine!
Jared Winkler \ 4.9 years ago
Yeah Brennan! You're a little ripper. Stoke to see you progressing. Keep it up. Love the powder in the face photo.. :)
n/a \ 4.9 years ago
Thanks for all your support and instruction!!!
Scott \ 4.9 years ago
Yep. Taught my son last year (4years old) and he picked it up just fine. As residents of Atlanta we only get about 5-10 days in a year, but it is amazing what these kids can learn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDAcSvdq4O8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEzY1a_7bQU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5QGvRB4meI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTw6-qXiQk4