Catman

I have a 3 year old that I have been teaching for about 11 weeks. He is now turning heelside and toe side and can stop when told ( heelside only). He can hit some small kickers with some air.My question is is he old enough to do tricks? he is begging to hit some rails. I have taken him down some small box's holding his hand and he has a blast! My local mountian won't teach until 8 years old they say they don't have the muscle control that it takes. When they see him thay are very impressed.

Instructor

Dude thats sweet, you got the next shaun white lol.
Im very impressed in what he is doing already but if i were you i would take him up more and work on stengthening his mustles and then maybe start with some grabs ; ) good luck man
One more thing: Dont push him to do things that are too hard or what he doesnt like because if you start doing that he wont enjoy the sport and is less likely to continue it. So just go up there and have some fun on small stuff, no rush

Snowolf

Most ski & ride schools have a minimum age of around 7 or 8 because on average kids younger than that do not have the motor skills required for the sport. There are many exceptions howevere. As Instructor pointed out, just keep it fun and that is all that really matters. Do`nt push and when he is tired or done, end the day and don`t push him to go beyond what he wants. As for rails, what you are doing is great! Be there and help him along. I would be conservative in what you let him do untill he is a bit older and has better riding ability.

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megladan

catman you're the man for taking your boy riding with you!!

tboooe

I have a 4 year old that we have taken up 5 times this season. She can now go straight and stop on her heel side. She is almost as good as her mother! LOL!! We hope by early next season she will be able to make it down the bunny slopes.

fostpaint

Wow, this is reassuring to hear. I've got a 2 1/2 year old that I would love to get out on the slopes in the next season or two, but feared he wouldn't be ready for several more years. Sounds like it might be worthwhile to hit the slopes with him next year just to see how he does.

Njoynit

My son is 9. He has had two formal lesson at our local hill but this year he wanted to get on the mountain with me. He actually listened to me. Although.. when he stopped or fell he would throw snowballs at me when I passed. I in turn would scoop up some snow while boarding to be ready for him. We had loads of fun. I also used this time to practice riding switch.

Catman

Thanks for all the support guys ! We have a blast together Here is a pic. of the little guy

Catman

Snowolf,
Me and my two boys have a blast up there! We go atleast 3 times a week from 1:00 to 10:00 and I still have to drag them away. My little guy does not like to stop at all. I have to bribe him with candy to take a break in the lodge.


fostpaint,
It was not that hard to get the basics across surprisingly. First we worked on falling down.Arms close to chest and fall forward landing on forearms and tummy.When we got that down he would tell me that was a good fall DaDa!
Next I told him to scoot his board to get going and then to put his buns in front (weight over front leg)That worked awasome!Next, while buns in front I told him to lift his toes up and we had our first turn!!I spent about three weeks just on that.For toe side I told him buns in front and lean forward ( a little). Then we went on the strap and harness we spent about 8 or 9 weeks on that. That was a life saver because we could ride anywhere ( dad having some fun carving)hope this helps encourage you!

Catman

Does anybody have any tips or tricks that we can do over the summer to help keep muscle memory (what little he has)? Or some board balance exercises?