Ask Ziggy...

[scott43]

Dear Ziggy,

I've been studiously educating my youngest lad on the finer points of skiing, to the point where he's doing the ski cross and terrain park jumps. You can imagine my consternation when he watched a snowboard video and now wants to switch to snowboard!!! I can't have this, what is a ski parent to do with this little potential Neanderthal knuckle dragger?!?!

Signed, ummm...Anonymous???

 

[chris_the_wrench]

I started skiing when I was around 5, switched to snowboarding in middle school, saw the light of skiing call me back in high school and Ive been a two planker ever since.

If you love’em you gotta set’em free…

 

[scott43]

Sigh, your probably right. Next thing you know he'll want an e bike...

 

[dbostedo]

Let him snowboard! But teach him the rules and not to be one of those snowboarders.

 

[Mel]

I feel your pain. My 14yo, who can ski really well, just asked to learn to snowboard. I figured that of all the possible outlets for teen rebellion, I can live with this one. Currently, the teen is signed up for spring lessons and I have to figure out how to adapt my ski rack in the garage to accommodate the *clutches pearls* snowboard that was just delivered to the house.

currently the plan is to keep skiing for “serious” terrain, and the goal for snowboarding is to be able to turn well enough to enjoy easier terrain when going out with friends who don’t ski as well as they do. We shall see…

 

[Bill Miles]

Don't they have child psychiatrists for that?

 

[David Chaus]

Child psychiatrists are treating clients with more significant “switching to…..” desires.

 

[Plai]

My kid switched from skiing spring '22 and asked for beginner gear Dec '22 as a HS Jr.
Her motivation was to begin the sport w/ a non-skiing buddy, but the buddy didn't stick with it.
Now, I'm hoping she'll come back after she gets past college and the expected peer pressure there.

I can't see myself paying for counseling unless it's life threatening.

 

[scott43]

Don't they have child psychiatrists for that?

I mean it's definitely anti-social behaviour.. who knows where this could lead?!?

 

[k2rider]

The obvious answer is to let him snowboard. He'll probably end up doing both....picking one of the other based on the conditions or who is spending the day with. I skied for 11 years before trying snowboarding, did both for 15 years but 90% snowboarding and now have been exclusively snowboarding since 2009 after breaking my femur in a dirt bike crash. For me, I switched to skis when there was no fresh snow and I just wanted to rip groomers all day with the misses.

Both my kids started on skis, switched to snowboarding after (1) year for my son and (4) years for my daughter; neither one of them have ever skied again.

 

[scott43]

Well let's just say there is a snowboard expected under the tree next year. We'll see how this goes. As long as he's happy and sticks to it for a while I'm a happy dad.

 

[Jilly]

Ok..years ago a friend came to me with the same complaint. My answer..does it matter how he/she's sliding on snow? Just as long as he/she does it with you!

 

[crgildart]

Get him on the snowboard then take him someplace where you have to traverse a LOT of FLATS... He'll quickly realize that two planks and two poles are fare superior to two feet strapped to one board having to step out all the time.. Or maybe he'll train for the Olympic Cross Country Snowboard Team?

 

[scott43]

Get him on the snowboard then take him someplace where you have to traverse a LOT of FLATS... He'll quickly realize that two planks and two poles are fare superior to two feet strapped to one board having to step out all the time.. Or maybe he'll train for the Olympic Cross Country Snowboard Team?

Like Alta???

 

[Tricia]

My nephew turned from ski to snowboard when he was a teen. He knew the rules of the slopes and was a ton of fun to hang with on the snow.
He's a great human being has become a Dr and has a kid of his own.

 

[wooglin]

E-bike potential? Kick his butt out on the street right now, lock the door, and don’t look back. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. Can’t help with the snowboard thing though.

 

[4ster]

Q: What’s the difference between a beginner snowboarder & a snowboard instructor?
A: About 3 days!
In my case this was literally the case.

I began Snowboarding in the early 90’s as it was gaining acceptance at resorts & we didn’t have anyone to teach it. I never gave up skiing but was on a board close to half the time for about 10yrs & even competed for awhile.
When shaped & fat skis came into vogue about the time I moved to a bigger mountain with lots of ridges & valley returns I realized how inefficient the board was & only bring it out as a diversion these days.

I remember when my niece was a young teen and some of her flatlander friends were snowboarders and she wanted to learn. She picked it up very quickly but as soon as she met some of the local Tahoe boys who were skiers she dropped the snowboarding and never looked back.

It’s always fun to learn something new but from my perspective skiing is just way better !

 

[1Turn2Many]

Wait until the hill is a sheet of ice then let him try boarding. If he likes it, it’s meant to be.

 

[crgildart]

On the serious side, nothing wrong with learning to do both. Get him a nice skateboard and proper helmet and pads for Easter.

 

[Ziggy]

Variety is the spice of life.
When I was hanging out with my buddy Higgins, his mom was a snowboarder. I had a crush on her because she gave me awesome treats and took me on hikes with Higz.
Aunt Haynes skis now too, so she's living proof that you can do both.

Also... @Lauren skis and snowboards. She's preeeetttty


Like I said...variety is the spice of life.