How to Teach Babies to Snowboard

If your family is into winter sports, you should consider teaching your children to snowboard as early as you can. There are many ways you can begin teaching this sport to even the smallest of children, and you can do it all year long. Then when winter comes, even the youngest member of your family will be prepared.

Things You'll Need

• Helmet
• Gloves
• Snow clothes
• Boots
• Snowboard
• Snow goggles
• Skateboard or wagon
• Rope

Instructions

1. Start coaching your baby in snowboarding as soon as he is able to walk and stand steady on his own. Begin by placing him in a wagon or on a skateboard. Have him practice standing still. The idea is for him to work on his balance. Have him practice putting his arms out to their sides.

2. Put a helmet and elbow and knee pads on your child. Place her on the skateboard or wagon and hand her a rope. Gently pull the rope and encourage your child to try to keep her balance. Teach her how to shift her weight and remain steady on the skateboard or wagon.

3. Find a small hill or slope to practice on. Get out an actual snowboard and attach it your child's feet. Hold on to your child's hand as you guide him downhill. Keep practicing until he gets the hang of how he needs to move his body in order to stay steady.

4. When you get to a slope, sign your baby up for an instructional lesson. Some places only accept children ages 3 and up, but they might make an exception if your child is well-prepared. Don't take your child out on to a real slope until she has had professional instruction.

5. Make use of a home instructional video. This is a great tool for little kids because it gives them a visual image of what they are supposed to do and why. Buy one made for small children. Play it once per week in advance of your winter trip to the slopes.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your baby practice for short periods of time so he doesn't get bored and end up hating the sport.

• Practice on grassy surfaces and not concrete, to prevent serious injuries.