Skiing vs Snowboarding for kids?

Question

My son who is 7 is adamant about learning to snowboard vs skiing. I was thinking that learning to ski first would be easier. Would it be ok for a child that age to first learn to snowboard before ever using skis?

Answer 1

skiing is easier than snowboarding for a child

Answer 2

I think he should do skiing for a while because snowboarding has many falls even for those who have been snowboarding for a while. Skiing is safer. Maybe when he older he could try snowboarding.

Answer 3

although skiing is easier to learn, he'll definetely pick up snowboarding quickly. Kids are resiliant too. a day of falling down all over the place won't be as bad for him compared to an adult, he'll be okay. I started snowboarding at the age of 8 and i couldn't imagine going back to skiing.

Answer 4

I think it depends a lot on the kids. Some kids find it more natural to go sideways (snowboarding); others forward (skiing).

I ski and snowboard (and monoski too). To me snowboarding was the easiest to learn. Yes, people fall more when learning snowboarding but skiers go to ER clinics much more. Snowboarding injuries are definitely less dangerous because the feet mount together. Less things could go wrong.

I don't see real argument that supports "skiing first is better". It really does not matter. Only your son knows which one is more natural to him. Kids are honest. When they feel good about it, they do it; otherwise not. So, I say let your son decide on what he wants to master first.

Answer 5

Teach him both.

Answer 6

There is really no need to learn how to ski first before snowboarding. If he wants to snowboard instead of ski, he should definitely do it, as I don't believe there would be any benefit from learning to ski first.

Answer 7

As all ready stated there are a lot of falls involved with snow boarding, that translates directly into injuries.

So tell your son that he has to learn the process posted here http://www.helium.com/tm/148271 before your going to allow him to do snowboarding.

Answer 8

actually, if you look at statistics, the injury rates are pretty similar, so I wouldn't let fear of injury dictate which to have your son learn first.  

kids will pick up either pretty quickly.  

snowboarding is much more popular with younger crowds.  if he wants to snowboard instead, let him.  if you force him to ski when he doesn't want to, you may end up spending a lot of money on a set up he doesn't even want to use.  

most families I see up on the mountain (Mt Hood) are mixed, with the parents skiing and the kids snowboarding, and they seem to be having a great time together.