schmitty34

I've heard/read that kids shouldn't snowboard until they are at least 7...I've even had a lady at a local shop tell me 10. However, I've seen several 3 to 5 year-old shredders on the mountain this year so it makes me wonder how much of it is skier propaganda versus legit physical/medical advice.

The main reasons I've seen is their muscle development as well as the risk of breaking the growth plates in their wrists, causing major issues when they grow.

I ask because i have an almost 5-year-old son that took ski lessons this year and loved it, and picked it up pretty well. However, he says he wants to snowboard when he is 5. He even tried to pick out a new snowboard for himself last weekend when we were buying him some new snow pants. I was pretty proud watching him look through all the boards, pick one out that he liked, and then try to negotiate the purchase with me .

Anyone have some legit knowledge on this topic?

Whoracle

My first time out i rode the lift with a kid who was 10 years old that had been riding since he was 5 and he was killing it. Yes, you need to be careful with the risks your children are taking (making him wear a helmet and wrists guards wouldnt be a bad idea), but i think its more about if your kid is up to it, dont force him into it, but why not let him try it if he wants to? He will know if its right for him or not.

Argo

I got my son on the board at 6, he could have done it younger.... Really depends on the kids physical level and how coordinated they are.

SnowMotion

No truth to it. I get asked by parents all the time what age to start their kids riding. Most of the time the answer is as soon as they want to. For those too young to decide I have seen kids start at 2. They will not be shredding at first but if you start him at 5 he will be killing it by 7 if you wait till he's 7 then all you're doing is robbing him of two years experience. I also recommend a private lesson with an EXPERIENCED instructor. Group lesson are good for social development and progression but not to good for learning properly.

Toecutter

Go for it! 5 years-old is not unreasonable. Get him the protective gear and see how it goes.

I highly recommend these:
Youth Support Mitt | Burton Snowboards

CheeseForSteeze

There's some truth to it but that's because it depends on the kid. Some of the turds out here on the East Coast that are probably older than me are probably STILL too young to be on the mountain.

schmitty34

He's pretty coordinated....not a freak, but pretty good. He was riding the chair after his second lesson this year and now after 6 lessons, he goes down the green run pretty easily without falling by doing little wedge turns.

I am definitely not going to force him to make the switch, but now that he's asking, I've gotta decide if I switch him to snowboarding lessons next year (maybe get him out few times this spring just to confirm he wants to learn again).

He's already got a helmet, but wrist guards would be a good idea as well.

schmitty34

So is the youth XS small enought for a 5-year-old? I just bought him some new gloves but I might have to buy another if he switches to a board. thanks for the link.

Toecutter

My daughter is 7 y/o and uses the medium size. The sizing seems consistent with most other manufacturers' gloves/mittens. The support brace is removable so these mitts would also work when not snowboarding.

IdahoFreshies

i think anything over 5 or 6 is fine. snowboarding is harder for little kids than skiing is so you would want to start them a bit later than if they were on skiis.

__________________
If you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk.