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Ski vs Snowboard Dilemma....

6K views 44 replies 24 participants last post by  F1EA 
#1 ·
Ok... so controversial thread title aside, I am in a REAL dilemma with my 4 yr old.

He's already snowboarded a bit a couple times and has had group ski lessons for todlers. This year it's definitely time to get him going and I already got him a pass for Cypress mtn. Problem is:

There's no group snowboard lessons for 4 year olds!!
I'm sure there's private lessons, but that will be expensive... and my biggest concern is the instructors may just say "yeah, sure we'll teach him to snowboard" (dudes gotta eat y'know) when I ask for private lessons for him.

On the other hand, he's already taken group 2 ski lessons and his next lesson will have him good to go on green runs, according to the instructors. I've seen him in his lessons and indeed, after a lesson or so he will be good for greens. He's under much more control on skis than on a snowboard.

Also, he's already done the bunny hill (at Seymour) a few times on a snowboard. Yeah, only did it because he wanted to ride the magic carpet back up... but falling-leafed all the way down with no real problems.

I've asked him which he prefers, and he prefers snowboarding. Although it's certainly conditioned, but still if he says ski, then i'd get him skiing.

So, should I go with ski lessons to get him started? (because I could get him lots of group ski lessons than private snowboard lessons, and I would rather get him proper instructors than self-teach) then transfer him to snowboard if he wants when he's ready/mature enough?

Anyone has experience teaching a 4 yr/o (almost 5) to snowboard?
 
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#38 ·
In my opinion the main reason resorts don't like to see them under 6/7 is economics. The lower the age, the more 1 on 1 time needed to get them going. With skis they can pizza slice a little earlier, pole around a little sooner. But in my opinion it's not really skiing until you stop with the wedge. At least with falling leaf they are kinda half way there.
 
#41 · (Edited)
Dude that kid is SO. CUTE. Her boots go up to her knees holy shit. By the time she's three, she'll be keeping up with adults on greens. By six, you're going to have a lil ripper on your hands. By 12, she will be in those videos you see of sponsored kids doing AMAZING shit. Y'know, if she keeps with it. It's videos like this that make me wish I had been raised in a snowboarding family. I would be a beast by now instead of only 4 years in. :D If it were me, I would definitely start em on a snowboard. It may take more one-on-one time, but I think that's worth it. Especially if the kid is really stoked about riding. You could always trade off "kid duty" with your significant other to get some alone adult riding in. It would be tough to do couple riding (until they are older for lessons or unless there is some kind of child care on the mountain) but it wouldn't take long before all of you could be cruising some greens together.
 
#43 ·
To the OP, haven't you seen all those skier vs snowboarder videos? It is almost always the skier acting like a self important ass hat. Do you want your kid to grow up to be a self important ass hat? If so, put him in the group lesson with the other future ass hats. Funny how ass hat lined up like that 3 times, i didn't do that on purpose.
 
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