There is nothing better than sharing the same hobby with your mini-me. We will answer the most important questions on how to get your child comfortable on a snowboard right in time for winter.
What is the right age to teach my child to snowboard?
Generally speaking, the earlier the better. Children usually find it very easy to learn snowboarding or skiing due to their low center of gravity. Although they should be able to walk on their own before you show them the ropes. But even before that, it can be handy to get them used to the board already. The most important thing is that they feel comfortable and have fun. Therefore: Start them young!
Skiing or snowboarding? What first?
It's a common misconception that kids need to know how to ski before they learn to snowboard. With the latest advances in snowboarding technology for little riders, it's no problem to get your child used to the board right away. If in doubt, let them try both and let them decide what sport they like better.
Which board is the right one?
The size of your kids' first snowboard depends on their body size. You can get an approximate estimate by placing a board next to your child - if it reaches up to the chin, it will fit well. For the very young shredders, we recommend the Burton Riglet: The integrated reel is the ideal set-up to be able to pull the little ones on the mountain without any problems. This allows them to get comfortable on standing and riding sideways to start with. For the older and more experienced kids, boards with edges are the go to. If you are not sure, our Blue Tomato staff will be happy to help you in our shops.
If you don't want to buy a snowboard right away and first off all want to test if your little one even likes to snowboard, we recommend to rent a board. With our Rent Your Ride offer you will surely find the perfect equipment.
What's part of the first snowboard set-up?
Snowboard boots
Soft boots are particularly suitable for children. Generally, snowboard boots should always be about one size larger than your child's normal shoe size. You want to make sure your child wears thicker socks for toasty feet on a colder day in the snow.
Snowboard helmet
Pay special attention that the helmet fits really well. Do the shake test: Put the helmet on your child and let them shake their head - if it doesn't move it fits well.
Goggles, gloves & beanie
Especially in the beginning, your child will often sit in the snow after a fall. Make sure your child's gloves are waterproof to ensure warm hands all day. Ski goggles not only provide UV protection on the mountain, but also keep the face warm on colder days. Also pack a beanie if your child likes to take off its helmet on its break.
Well fitting & high quality snowwear
The perfect snowwear for your kids is divided into baselayer, midlayer and the outer shell. The baselayer consists of thermal underwear and ski socks. The midlayer, depending on the temperatures, includes a sweater or a fleece. For the outer shell you need snow pants and a snow jacket. Pay attention to the water column and wind protection of the outer shell. This way your child is perfectly prepared for the mountain.
How do I get my child comfortable on a snowboard?
The first step is to get your child used to riding sideways. In summer, you can practice with them on a skateboard. In winter, a reel like the Burton Riglet is especially good as you can attach it to your child's board to pull it. If they can stand securely on the board when you pull them, you can move on to the next step.
Find a small hill and ideally another person to support you. Then position yourself and your child on the hill, with the other person waiting at the bottom of it, ready to catch and stop your child if needed. Now you give your child a gentle push, your child will slide down the hill and is safely caught at the bottom. This way, the little shredders get used to going a little faster and can build up more confidence over time.
Once your kid is used to sliding down the hill, you can practice heelside and toeside slides with them. The more confident it becomes, the steeper the hill you practice on can be. As a final step, you can start teaching S-turns. After that, it's just a matter of sticking with it!
Is it safe for my child on the mountain?
Yes! Snowboarding at a young age is safe for kids if you take the proper precautions. Stick to the beginner hill to start with! That way you and your child will not be in more experienced riders' way. Do not let your child out of sight, teach them how to control speed when riding and if possible, use a reel at the beginning to control their riding as well.
More tips to successfully teach your child to snowboard:
Most important is that your child is having fun. Try to make snowboarding as fun and exciting as possible so they can look forward to it. Make sure to have enough snacks on hand, give them lots of breaks in between and buy them good snowwear to keep them from getting cold. One last tip: A hot chocolate after a long day on the mountain works wonders!
We wish you lots of fun snowboarding with your kids!
