First timers

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on February 19, 2009 at 12:29pm

Why not allow him to snowboard? What are the arguments against him doing snowboarding?

Boo

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Permalink Reply by Jana on February 19, 2009 at 2:58pm

I don't have an argument against it. I thought it might be harder than skiing and this is his first time but I guess you don't need to know how to ski to snowboard. He is great with his ripstick from the first time he got on it.

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Permalink Reply by Boo Boo on February 19, 2009 at 4:00pm

No, I don't think so... there are pros and cons to learning both. Since he is athletic and very keen, I am sure he would get the hang of it in no time... ;-). He might have a few bruises the first couple of days, but he will love it.

The ski school at Steamboat is excellent - so hopefully you will all pick up snowboarding/skiing very quickly :-)

Boo

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Permalink Reply by Kim (mojomom) on February 19, 2009 at 1:11pm

I'd let him snowboard. Skiers and snowboarders peacefully co-exist in the same family and enjoy time on the mountain together. Besides, even on skis it is best to put an 11 year old in the ski school with other kids his age and not make him learn with the adults. (Adults learn far to slowly to keep up with an 11 year old). Kids that age frequently learn so quickly that they could be skiing (or riding) easy blacks after 4-5 days. It would be unusual (though not unheard of) for an adult to progress that quickly.

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Permalink Reply by Jen M on February 19, 2009 at 3:55pm

I agree, let him 'board. He'll be able to 'board with you when you ski. As has been previuosky stated he will most likely be on blue runs after 3 days. We let our 10 yr old daughter try snowboarding after she had skiied for 4 yrs. She loved it and was linking turns and skiied blue runs on the 3rd day. She loved all the instructors so much she stayed at sb school for 5 days and then on the 6th she came with us and it was no problem having a boarder around. :)

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Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on February 19, 2009 at 4:43pm

If it were me, I would let him try skiing first to get used to snow sports since it is easier to pick up, If it bores him, then go for Riding. Skiing is easier to pick up for first timers while Riding has a slow learning curve.

Since it is a first time for all of you, make sure you get in a class where the rest of the students are of similar age.

OTOH, if it is a big deal, let him go for riding for the start.

Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Luv2Ski007 on February 20, 2009 at 7:10am

These are really 2 different disciplines. I don't buy the advice that one should ski first to "get used to the snow" then go to boarding. Pick one or the other, and do it. Boarding can be very frustrating at first regardless of athletic ability. There's a saying about this . . .

skiing - easier to learn, harder to master
boarding - harder to learn, easier to master

and, a little fear is a good thing . . . it's keep you alive.

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Permalink Reply by patti (snowflake) on February 20, 2009 at 4:21pm

Let him snowboard/1 it is cool for the kids and they enjoy it. my kids tried it after skiing for a few years and my son enjoys it better than skiing but he is good at both as an adult now. let him try and he may change his mind and try the planks later. any way make sure you all take adequate lessons you will love steamboat and the ski schools,, i take a leson evey year and i have been skiing for over 15yrs..have fun! sf

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Permalink Reply by NewEnglandSkier on February 20, 2009 at 6:50pm

If he really wants to board, I'd let him try it. You want him to have a good time and if learning to snowboard is really what he wants to do, then let him give it a try. He'll be able to join the rest of you after lessons and then you can all enjoy the mountain together.

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Permalink Reply by Abigail Slingsby on February 20, 2009 at 7:10pm

I taught 3 first timers and their dad to snowboard today. The 8 year old still wants to try skiing as well (because mum skis) but the 11 year old, the 13 year old and dad are all planning on practicing tomorrow!!!

I believe it is far easier to teach someone something they want to learn. If your 11 year old wants to learn snowboarding then that is the first step. They will just learn safety procedures, balance and mountain etiquette whilst learning to snowboard instead of skiing. Who knows he may snowboard for 10 years then switch to skiing. As a family you could all learn together.

Luvtoski is right snowboarding is harder to learn but who cares as long as they want to learn.

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Permalink Reply by Sean Nalette on February 20, 2009 at 8:32pm

I'm a bit biased... but let the grom shred. Snowboarding is not hard to learn, particularly if he's athletic. To ride, you only need to know how to stand-up and tap your toes. Get the timing sorted out, and you're ripping.

Oh... wait... are you planning on putting him in snowboard school or just renting gear?

The worst thing I ever did was teach myself... 1200 days later, and I still do silly things.

It's not uncommon for mini-shreds who meet the right instructor in the right circumstances to be linking turns in no time at all... In my experience, Kim's comments are not far from the mark. In the last week alone, I've ridden West Side with two 10-11 year old boys who started on Preview less than two days previous...

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Permalink Reply by phrog on February 23, 2009 at 10:29am

One of the members at "The Steamboat Forum" is giving away his voucher for a "Never Ever" lesson.
Here is the link if your interested. http://steamboatforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4294

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