Wherever and whenever you do it, providing children with travel experiences can benefit their development in so many different ways. And what better way to expose them to the wonders of the world than through the medium of snowboarding?

To help both parents and children feel confident when embarking on this journey into winter sports, we've put together some helpful tips that will ensure your time spent snowboarding is successful.

Safety First 

Snowboarding can be a dangerous activity, so when starting your children out on the slopes, it’s important to keep safety at the forefront of your mind. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help mitigate the associated risks. 

Firstly, it’s always recommended to start them off with some sessions led by a professional instructor. Not only will this mean they’re learning the basic skills necessary to perform the activity, but having an instructor present will also help keep them safe. From learning how to fall safely to remaining in control of the board, these fundamental skills are crucial for new snowboarders to learn.

Another important part of staying safe on the slopes is having the correct equipment and clothing. It can be expensive to buy all of the necessary gear that’s required for snowboarding, so you may want to consider hiring a helmet, goggles, gloves and all of the other items for the first few tries, before your child decides if they want to continue with it. As well as protecting them from bumps and bruises, this gear is also designed to keep them warm, which will help them to feel more comfortable on the slopes and get more from their sessions. 

Join In With Them 

Standing on a board and gliding down a slope is an unfamiliar sensation for children who don’t have any experience with snowsports. As a result, they’re far more likely to feel comfortable giving it a go if you’re there to support them along the way. It doesn’t matter if you yourself don’t have any experience – it can be a great opportunity to learn a new skill together. 

While an instructor will be able to teach your child the proper techniques needed to become confident on the board, having mum or dad by their side will give them the encouragement needed to keep getting back up and carry on. Particularly in the first few sessions, children will likely be spending a lot of time on the snow, as they learn how to stop, fall and balance themselves. Having a familiar voice of encouragement will help them overcome the challenges of learning a new skill and will hopefully mean they are more inclined to stick with it longer term. 

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

As eager as you may be to start tackling the blue slopes at your nearest resort, it’s important not to rush your children when they’re just starting to pick up the fundamentals. Before you even head to the beginner slopes, you may find your children benefit from spending some time mastering the basics on more solid ground. Whether in your front room or back garden, use an item similar in shape to a snowboard, and pull your child around to get them used to the movement and the need to balance. 

When they are ready to take to the snow, an instructor will be able to advise them on when they are ready to move on from the beginner tracks – be sure you’re not pushing them beyond their recommended level. Ensuring they have enough time to fully understand the key fundamentals of balance, movement and weight transfer will help to keep them engaged in their lessons as they improve, whilst also keeping them safe on the snow.