Question on starting kids

Hi,

we want to start our kids (7 and 13) in snowsports this year. They have seen only a few days on snow in their lives and probably don't remember much... (we recently moved to WA from Orlando)

I have purchased passes for Alpy, and would like to get them started with lessons as soon as the lifts open.

The question is what to start first: ski or snowboard? Or should we do at the same time?

We want them to do both, eventually. We want them to get a fun start so that they don't decide they don't like snow sports.

We already have almost full snowboard equipment for them, but I am very open to buying / renting ski set-ups too. For me, snowboarding was extremely easy and fun to pick up. Especially coming from skiing, which took me years This would make snowboarding a good choice. However, I am worried that if we go this route, they may never want to even try skiing... Or just try it and decide it's too hard and not as much fun I guess the big mission is to get them to like snow first and foremost, then the best outcome would be to want to do both ski and snowboard. Snowboarding is 'cool' and fun, but everyone knows that skiing is where it's at, right

Also, ski schools seem to start in January at Alpental. I hope the lifts open much earlier. Are there going to be lessons when the season starts?

Any advice is greatly appreciated - thank you!

Ski first, board later. Much easier to learn in that direction than in the reverse.

My rule was they could snowboard when they could beat me down the hill on skis. My 16 year old has accomplished that. I told him that NOW he could snowboard. He looked at me funny and said, "why the hell would I want to do that?"

Most ski schools start in Jan. They train in early Dec. lay low for the holidays and start in Jan. I think the summit will offer drop in classes before Jan if you want to get them in a one day class. They have packages for first timers that include rental gear, lift ticket and lesson for a fair price.

Here is also a list of the private ski schools that operate at the summit, you might look in to them as well:
www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/Lessons-and-R.../Private-Ski-Schools

Just an aside but I kind of question why you would start kids who have limited experience on snow out at Alpental- very limited beginner area and a relatively sharp learning curve to jump up to the next chair from chair 4 to 3. Lessons at West or Central provide much more beginner and intermediate terrain (and terrain park at Central) where they'll feel like they are making some progress. Not so fun to ski at as an advanced skier though

Kids pick things up pretty quick- I'd definitely put them on skis before a snowboard but I'm ski biased. Neither of my kids has expressed any interest in boarding.

I don't think any of the private ski schools start any earlier than Jan as well and most all are down to 8 week programs. Early in the season it's going to be either you teaching them or you could try a private lesson.

Thanks to all for the advice!

The passes are valid for all areas - we shall go to West or Central then.

I plan to dedicate the season to the kids, just want them to have a profesisonal instructor, and I would like to hang out with them for fun / support If anyone can recommend a specific school / private person for pre-Jan - this would be great.

Leaning towards ski first then - I hope they pick it up quickly so that they can have fun.

Thanks again!

It can help if your kids have friends that would also be starting out and putting them together in the same classes. Then going up to ski or ride is really a time to hang out with friends and also learn something.

This is not Colorado or Utah. Days are not so cold but often very wet. Kids are generally not happy if they are wet and cold. Make sure they have good layered clothing that will keep them dry and warm. Chemical hand warmers can help.

I agree that learning skiing is a lot harder than learning snow boarding and so we have our kids skiing (alpine and nordic). I told my olders (10 years old) he can start snowboarding once he can ski down International with me.

However your kids are learning at relatively older ages. So I might suggest to let them pick or at least try both. Again, what their friends do will have a big influence on what they want to do. I don't know your kids but you do. Pick a path that will have the best chance of them having fun so that they won't dread driving up I-90 on weekends when they could be sleeping or doing something else at home.

We also find that having lots of treats (M&Ms, excess Halloween candy, whatever works) can change moods for the better when spirits flag or blood sugar gets low.