Do you want your youngster to have a passion for the mountains and a love of snow sports? Snowboarding lessons are a great way to introduce kids to the joy of a smooth ride down a gently groomed run.
Before you sign up your child for lessons on a nearby slope, do a quick search for “indoor snowboarding near me.” It’s an easy way to discover options for indoor snowboarding in Denver or near Boulder, CO.
At Shredder Ski + Snowboard, we get asked questions about indoor snowboarding in Colorado all the time. Parents want to know more than just about indoor snowboarding lessons. They want the full scoop on how to get their kids ready for a great family experience on the mountain.
Here are 5 questions we get asked about our indoor snowboarding program.
1. How Do I Know When My Child is Ready to Snowboard?
Snowboard lessons can give kids a big boost of fun and confidence when they are in the right learning environment. Most mountain resorts in Colorado set limits at age 3 and are potty-trained for beginner ski classes or snowboard lessons.
Look for group programs that limit the number of kids in each class. That gives your child the one-on-one instruction that can be a game-changer when it comes to snow sport fun.
If you prefer indoor snowboarding lessons, check out programs at Shredder Ski + Snowboard lessons.
- Kids as young as 9 months can have tons of fun learning ski and snowboard fundamentals in Yeti School.
- Little Shredders introduce the basics of skiing and snowboarding to children of all ability levels who are 2.5 to 5 years old.
- Every child up to age 10 can learn and develop skills at their own pace in Shredder ski and snowboard school.
Just as important as your kids’ ages is their ability to learn and control all their body parts needed to motor around a slope. That’s why it’s crucial to look for instructors who understand that children develop at their own rate and move their bodies in different ways.
Instructors at Shredder Ski + Snowboard follow a teaching model tailored to the way children think, behave and move. Whether your child is three or 13, the Shredder pros want to turn your kids into snow sports enthusiasts and ready for a fun family experience on the mountain.
2. Is My Child Old Enough for Indoor Snowboarding Lessons?
Many households are divided on whether or not youngsters should jump right onto a snowboard. Keep this general rule of thumb in mind: It’s easier to learn the basics of skiing than snowboarding.
At Shredder indoor snowboarding schools, instructors are always ready to explain the fundamentals of each sport and help parents gauge their child’s abilities. If the choice between skis or boards is still a toss-up, the Shredder team usually encourages parents to let their kids try skiing first. That’s because kids typically see some success earlier. It also helps them avoid the frustration that can come with the first few times on a board.
Keep in mind that kids typically begin to grasp the fine motor movements needed to control board speed around age 5. In contrast, skiers use larger muscle movements that develop at an earlier age to form the classic pizza shape and stop on a slope.
3. Is That Real Snow on Your Indoor Snowboarding Slope?
No, Snowboarding indoor slopes use artificial turf, and it gives youngsters just the right surface to learn how to slip and grip down the slope.
All Shredder indoor snowboarding facilities use Xtreme artificial turf. It’s an easy surface for beginners to grasp the basics of moving downhill, turning, and stopping.
Outdoor and indoor snowboarding and skiing facilities around the world use artificial surfaces for their training grounds. The material gives skiers and boarders year-round access to practice their moves before they head off to the real stuff.
4. How Does Indoor Snowboarding on Artificial Snow Compare to Riding On Real Snow?
It’s great! In fact, most skiers and boarders find it easier to ski or ride on the mountain after they learn or practice on an artificial surface.
The material used indoors at facilities like Shredder Ski + Snowboard easily catches the edges of the skis and boards. That makes it an ideal way to practice the proper technique.
Another bonus of artificial surface – the slope is open year-round! That means your kids can dial in their skills and technique before you hit the slopes for a great family experience.
5. Do Indoor Snowboard Levels Correspond with Levels at Ski Resorts?
Yes. The indoor curriculum at Shredder Ski + Snowboard is based on principles set by the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. That’s the gold standard in professional ski and snowboard instruction.
Many snow sport schools in Colorado follow a similar model to teach youngsters the basic skills they need on the mountain. Lessons at Shredder indoor snowboarding near Boulder and in Denver take your kiddos through a series of skill progressions that are comparable to lessons on real mountain slopes.
Instructors at Shredder Ski + Snowboard understand how children think, behave and move. That means the Shredder pros know what it takes to make snow sports fun for the whole family.
Ready to sign up your kids for ski or indoor snowboarding lessons?
Year-round indoor snowboarding in Denver and Boulder means your kids can learn the basics of listening, turning, stopping, and managing the lifts before your next family outing to the mountains. It’s a great way to help your mountain enthusiasts get ready for the best-ever on-snow experience.