Can you teach a 4 year old to ride? - Snowboarding Forum

Stowe · 01-25-2011, 04:51 PM

I want to teach my 4 year old to ride. Seems like 4 is the early age to start skiing, but is there a rule for age to start snowboarding?

She is strong and pretty coordinated for a kid her age.

Anyone have experience teaching kids this age? I expect I would get her lessons.

Thanks

gjsnowboarder · 01-25-2011, 05:04 PM

If she is active, can listen to commands like stop and go consistently, then chances are she is good to go. Equipment at that age is imperitative. and 4 is not to early to learn to ski. My wife was on skis before that. Get her out there and if she likes snowboarding then awesome you won't have to worry about skiing. If she isn't having so much fun toss her on skis. Initially it is just learning to have fun on snow.. you can always bring her to the dark side later

IslandCrow · 01-25-2011, 05:08 PM

I saw a little girl on a board just yesterday who had just turned 4 last month. 4 year old skiers seem to be a little more common, but I can only imagine it must really depend on the 4 year old.

Toecutter · 01-25-2011, 05:28 PM

I believe you can if she is strong and coordinated, but 4 is still a little on the young side. I think her emotional maturity might be a factor, as she will spend a lot of time flopping on the ground.

Our local mountain ski school won't take snowboarders until age 6. Will yours accept a 4 year-old?

Grizz · 01-25-2011, 05:31 PM

No two 4 year olds are the same. Here is the broad generalization.

A 4 year old on skis should be able to learn straight running, slowing down, stopping and turns the first day out.

A 4 year old on a board should be able to walk around the flats, climb for short distances, straight run and probably not much else.

Google the CAP model if you are interested in why, particularly the P.

Most ski schools do have a minimum age 6-7 for snowboard group lessons but will take kids younger in private lessons.

Catman · 01-25-2011, 09:43 PM

this is my boy when he was four.

Stowe · 01-25-2011, 10:08 PM

Thanks all. I guess people really should learn to ski and snowboard. Certainly helps me predict what skiers will do on the hill and prevent collisions. The mountains around here start snowboarding lessons at 6.

Catman that is very impressive. I have never seen a kid ride like that at his age.

danielle · 01-25-2011, 10:10 PM

It really depends on the kid. My daughter kicked butt but my son only had dreams of jumping and not actually learning. Stick with the kid, mine had problems standing so by the end of the day, my arms ended up sore. Also check bindings at the start of each run. I also found basically holding onto them getting off the lift the first few times help. Take lots of breaks and use positive reinforcement.

Toecutter · 01-25-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catman

this is my boy when he was four.

Nice! How old was he when he started?

Eightfingers · 01-25-2011, 10:27 PM

That is amazing!!! He spins better than me haha... I can't wait to get my daughter on a board.

01-25-2011, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stowe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9	Can you teach a 4 year old to ride? I want to teach my 4 year old to ride. Seems like 4 is the early age to start skiing, but is there a rule for age to start snowboarding? She is strong and pretty coordinated for a kid her age. Anyone have experience teaching kids this age? I expect I would get her lessons. Thanks

01-25-2011, 05:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Grizz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Junction of 84 and 35 Posts: 1,023	No two 4 year olds are the same. Here is the broad generalization. A 4 year old on skis should be able to learn straight running, slowing down, stopping and turns the first day out. A 4 year old on a board should be able to walk around the flats, climb for short distances, straight run and probably not much else. Google the CAP model if you are interested in why, particularly the P. Most ski schools do have a minimum age 6-7 for snowboard group lessons but will take kids younger in private lessons. Last edited by Grizz; 01-25-2011 at 05:35 PM.

01-25-2011, 09:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Catman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 295	this is my boy when he was four. Last edited by Catman; 01-25-2011 at 09:54 PM.

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01-25-2011, 05:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
gjsnowboarder Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 539	If she is active, can listen to commands like stop and go consistently, then chances are she is good to go. Equipment at that age is imperitative. and 4 is not to early to learn to ski. My wife was on skis before that. Get her out there and if she likes snowboarding then awesome you won't have to worry about skiing. If she isn't having so much fun toss her on skis. Initially it is just learning to have fun on snow.. you can always bring her to the dark side later

01-25-2011, 05:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
IslandCrow Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 42	I saw a little girl on a board just yesterday who had just turned 4 last month. 4 year old skiers seem to be a little more common, but I can only imagine it must really depend on the 4 year old.

01-25-2011, 05:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Toecutter Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mt. Bachelor Posts: 1,512	I believe you can if she is strong and coordinated, but 4 is still a little on the young side. I think her emotional maturity might be a factor, as she will spend a lot of time flopping on the ground. Our local mountain ski school won't take snowboarders until age 6. Will yours accept a 4 year-old?

01-25-2011, 10:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stowe Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9	Thanks all. I guess people really should learn to ski and snowboard. Certainly helps me predict what skiers will do on the hill and prevent collisions. The mountains around here start snowboarding lessons at 6. Catman that is very impressive. I have never seen a kid ride like that at his age.

01-25-2011, 10:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
danielle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 172 Blog Entries: 2	It really depends on the kid. My daughter kicked butt but my son only had dreams of jumping and not actually learning. Stick with the kid, mine had problems standing so by the end of the day, my arms ended up sore. Also check bindings at the start of each run. I also found basically holding onto them getting off the lift the first few times help. Take lots of breaks and use positive reinforcement.

01-25-2011, 10:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Eightfingers Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 122	That is amazing!!! He spins better than me haha... I can't wait to get my daughter on a board.