Snowboarding Lessons in Tahoe for 4YO
My four-year-old has expressed an interest in snowboarding. His father and I are both skiers, so we aren’t equipped to teach him to snowboard ourselves and need to find a good place for him to take lessons. Any recommendations for a low-key, somewhat affordable place to do that in Tahoe? He can be a little slow to warm up to new adults and is sometimes overwhelmed by groups, so ideally we would find a private or small group lesson with an understanding, experienced teacher. We would also be open to lessons that include one or both parents as well, if such a thing even exists. Thanks!
Oct 27, 2017
Parent Replies
I'll doubt I'll ever forgive myself for placing my son in snowboard lessons at Northstar, which is what I would consider a high-end resort. The teacher bopped him over his helmeted head with a clipboard, which hurts and is loud when you are wearing a helmet, and didn't let him go use the bathroom when he needed to and he wet his ski clothes and became very cold.
Even though I was told the teacher was experienced in teaching children and loved children, this was beyond wrong.
Don't expect an appropriate teacher at any price, they will give you whomever is available . Take a small group family lesson with him and enjoy your family time together.
TIP! Beginning snowboarding involves a lot of sitting in the snow. Be sure that your son's ski-wear is especially protected for snow-sitting, including the socks and gloves. As for the needing to pee with all those layers on, my son did not have the ability to empty his bladder just because it was a convenient time to do so. I hear that's a boy thing, needing to have a full-ish bladder before being able to empty it. So pee breaks may happen when he needs it, not neccessarily when it is convenient for the group.
I would recommend the smaller places like Granlikbakken. Just not recommending leaving your child in a class without you until he is much older. And by then he'll be a snowboarding expert!
Best snow wishes/
We have been skiing at Donner Ski Ranch with our young kids for years now-- it is a real 'family' place-- old school! (NOT the same place as Tahoe Donner this is very close to Sugar Bowl)
Affordable with kind operators-- and a warm fire to take the chill off when you have had enough. Also, sledding.
Hit and miss with the teachers-- sometimes you get a great one, sometimes you get a person whose not so great. But that will be true everywhere.
Love the mountain-- have season tickets already for this year.