How young can you start to snowboard?

Heading off with the family in a few weeks. However, I am concerned that my 9 year old may be attracted to the "dark side". I suppose at 9, he will be physically able to snowboard but the question is, would it be too early for him?

Personally, I would prefer to see him master skis to a reasonable level before defecting - he has been skiing a few times and can manage most blues and easy reds but not terribly well.

I suppose I feel more comfortable with him skiing because I can judge whats going on and can give him some guidance, know when to slow him down, etc.

Any others gone through this dilemma who can offer advice?

Wanderer, I've had the same with my sons. But now they're 13 and 9 and are confident black run skiers, we've decided to give in. It's the reason mr a decided to learn to board with me, so that he can understand what they're doing. They'll have one more ski in Arabba (and my eldest on his school trip to Les Menuires) and then we've promised them they can learn at Hemel in the summer.

Wrist guards are most important for them apparently.

:thumbup:

Get him twin tips, baggy clothes and drop him off at the snow park. He'll soon realise that skiing is cool and snowboarding is slowly dying ;)

Don't think it is too young, have seen a lot younger.

Pablo Escobar wrote:Get him twin tips, baggy clothes and drop him off at the snow park. He'll soon realise that skiing is cool and snowboarding is slowly dying ;)

Don't think it is too young, have seen a lot younger.

I'm agreeing with Pabs. He's at a good age to handle a board, so get him some twins and a fashionable helmet if you want to keep him on 2 planks!

chatting with a paramedic in italy this winter - an ex italian stunt skier himself - said he reckoned 12 was the age for snowboarders. based on seeing many snowboard and ski accidents.

not that i haven't seen much younger, very good snowboarders myself, but he reckoned bone structure and the whole being strapped into one board thing was probably not too good for the skeleton until it had matured sufficiently.

imo the best snowboarders have skied to a good level first, then convert. whether they should go back or not is up to you but there's a lot for both parties to learn from each other.

the paramedic dude did mention the biggest favour you could do your kids (boarding or skiing) would be to buy them a back brace thing. A good point i reckon though i have never worn one myself.

wanderer, I had children as old as 7 yrs old, and really there is no minimum age to start snowboarding, will post more tomorrow...

Little W next year will have ski lessons in the morning and Snowboard in the PM, well thats what I promised her :oops:

bandit wrote:

Pablo Escobar wrote:Get him twin tips, baggy clothes and drop him off at the snow park. He'll soon realise that skiing is cool and snowboarding is slowly dying ;)

Don't think it is too young, have seen a lot younger.

I'm agreeing with Pabs. He's at a good age to handle a board, so get him some twins and a fashionable helmet if you want to keep him on 2 planks!

Absolutely, kids do often get dressed up like nerds to go skiing. Let them dress a bit more rad and they will feel a lot better about it.

As for age, I saw a brilliant snowboarder in ADH aged 10, and some younger ones learning. Good thing about kids is they are more flexible!