Snowboarding For Kids: What You Need To Know To Get Started

Snowboarding is now steadily becoming the rage not only for adults, but for kids as well. Children as young as four or five years old are being enrolled in snowboarding lessons with certified instructors, and why not? It is a fun and healthy activity that kids surely love. Just remember the tips below when considering this sport for your kids, to make sure they stay healthy and safe while enjoying the snow.

First up, consider the cost. Unlike other sports that only require a ball and sensible shoes, winter sports usually demand more expensive preparations. Be prepared to spend for the trip; the transportation alone if you don’t live near the slopes will cost you the following: airline tickets, car rentals and the like. Hotel rooms and meals of course, you will need a place to stay that offers good services and located near the slopes so that whatever you need is readily accessible. These places will also be able to arrange the activities you have planned for your family, and recommend others, as they are used to doing for guests.

The equipment is also quite expensive, so if your children are doing this for the first time, consider renting the equipment first before buying their own personal things. They might not like it at all and after this first trip will refuse to do it again. Kids also outgrow their clothing and shoes quickly, and this goes for snow boots. Rentals also include the essential snowboards and the helmets designed for the wearer’s safety. Examine all the equipment or have an expert do so to make sure they work fine.

Pelican Ice Wave Snowboard

Pelican Space Scooter Snowboard

You can also check your local classified ads for used or cheap snowboard gear. Sometimes parents buy all the equipment only to find they’re kids lose interest after a couple of times.

Snowboarding lessons are done in groups and in private tutorials. Group lessons can average $40 for half a day of lessons, and private ones can go up to $300 for the same length of time. There are also hourly rates at some places, but they are usually more expensive. The rates of rentals and lessons are of course dependent on the type of hotels and places you are in.

Another thing very important to invest in is good quality snow clothing. It is vital that your kids stay warm all throughout the fun in the snow, whether they will be snowboarding or not. Good quality clothing does not always mean thick clothing, it means layers of excellent insulating fabrics in which your kid can stay dry even when the outside layer is wet from falling down (sometimes laying down) in the snow. Gloves are also important so the hands don’t feel cold and to prevent frostbite from handling the snow and other equipment with snow on them. Clothing pieces also need to be breathable, so that the warmth inside does not cause perspiration to stay in if they do sweat a little. Remember the importance of goggles, as they will help your child see better while learning the sport and they of course do a great job in protecting the eyes as well.

Insulated Snowboard Jacket For Girls

Insulated Snowboard Jacket For Boys

Just because everything is white and covered in cold snow doesn’t mean the sun isn’t doing its job. People who don’t protect their skin from the sun’s rays still get sunburnt from spending the day outside. Protect your children by slathering their skin, especially the face as it is exposed, with a good quality sunscreen, preferably one with a 50sph or higher. You don’t want the trip to end with kids with red faces and a white goggle mark around the eyes.

Kids will be expected to be exerting extra energy trying to learn this new sport, so be ready with high-energy snacks and always bring lots of water so they can hydrate regularly.

Now one of the most important parts of safety in the slopes is ensuring the lessons come from a professional who understands the process of teaching kids how to snowboard. The instructor should be your partner in ensuring the kids’ safety above all else, and he should be someone your kids will be comfortable with so they can feel at ease asking questions and raising concerns with. Beware of those who act like they are training a group of Olympic snowboarders, which can easily drive you to the conclusion that the lessons will not be fun, at all. Instead, opt for those who genuinely want it to be a great activity for kids and who appreciate their easy-going nature.

Above every safety measure, the most important thing of all is that you talk to your kids, and make sure they understand the whole trip and the lessons. Involve them in conversations to make sure they know how to stay safe, where not to go if there are dangerous or off-limits areas, and what to do in case they get lost. Always have contingency plans for trips like this. Even when you are there to have some much-needed fun, you cannot take for granted the harsh environment you and your family are in.

So if you’re one of those parents who like to plan family trips in the snow where everyone gets involved in learning some sort of sport or activity, do consider snowboarding for kids. It is a sport that enhances your child’s motor skills, body and mind coordination, balance, and confidence. And as any good parent deserve to, while ensuring it is fun and safe for your family, remember to have fun too. The fact that you are reading this means you are a good parent concerned for their safety, and that means you deserve all the fun you can have as well!