OT- introducing the family to snowboarding/skiing-tips?

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 262 Posts Obsessed

Ive got a 5 and 6 year old. and a wife. None have really snowboarded/skiied

I've got skiing /snowboarding experience but I dont trust myself to teach them. My patience can wear thin, and I want everyone to have fun and get them some lessons.

Timberline? Meadows?Ski Bowl? Rentals? Instructors?

thanks in advance!

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Thumps up for Meadows cause thats where I ride. I personally don't think that it matters where they begin to learn as long as they are taking lessons with a legit certified instructor. Terrain matters as you begin to advance in your riding/skiing.
As with kiting, friends don't let friends teach friends!!

Pepi · Tue Dec 27, 11 5:12 pm

Meadows kids group lessons during the holidays or on weekends via the SnoBlasters program is a very good option.
My daughter has been doing this for the past two years successfully and had plenty of fun.
http://www.skihood.com/Lessons/Youth-Camps

Skiing is easier for kids to start out with (unless they have a decent skateboarding background, which helps the learning curve).
The lessons can usually be packaged with a ticket/rental discount.

Hope that this helps out.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

Pick your day wisely.

I would suggest waiting for a warm and sunny spring(like) day rather than going up there this week in the rain/freezing rain/blizzard conditions.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

corey4x4man · Since 13 Jun 2011 134 Posts Beaverton, OR Stoked

I second the snowblasters program at meadows! That is how I learned when i was a wee one!

Yes to the make it fun comment, and yes to the you get to rip it up when they are in lessons!

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Really consider not going to meadows, they literally have the worst customer service and management of any resort I have ever been to in my entire life. And By the looks of most of their ski and snowboard instructors I wouldnt send anyone to take lessons from them.

But really the shitiness with which they treat customers is world class garbage, along with the effort they put into the mountain which is seriously lacking outside of the natural terrain they are lucky to have. I don't like supporting those tools...

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

I taught my daughters 2 years ago. My 11 year old, then 9, snowboards and has had a harder time than my 8 year old who skis. I took them to Meadows to the conveyor belt for the first day and just walked up and down myself. I taught my younger to turn by grabbing her hand from the inside of the corner and whipping her around so that she basically traversed back and forth. My older snowboarder I taught the "peanut butter slide" on her heel side by using a hoolahoop. They should see some utube videos so they get the idea too.
The next 2 days we went to Bachelor where the beginner lift is free, you don't even sign anything. Then we went to Hoodoo which has a too-small beginner lift, but by that time they could go up on the normal lifts. They have half day lessons for just a few dollars more than a kids ticket and they are good for the tubing park as well. On the way back from bend that first year we stopped at Ski Summit at Government Camp. They have single ride tickets and its a perfect green run for beginners. They neglected to ever punch our tickets so we took 3 runs for 5 dollars each. The most important thing is to wait for warm conditions, though now my kids are addicted and will go anytime. I Got them Helmets last year from Next Adventure that work great, especially over their shell hoods when it's cold/snowy/rainy.

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 262 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for the suggestions guys!