We as parents never actually taught DCs ski/snowboard, I ski before having kids while DH snowboard but has he spine problem ( not due to snowboard), DH would take DCs to ski when he snowboard, but DCs take ski lessons from ski school every year and in intermediate and advanced level after 5-7 years. They started taking snowboard lesson last season, but they decided to just continue ski lessons, and snowboard with DH, as taking both was really tiring. One DC was borderline at growth chart and afraid of cold, but it’s fine and they sweat while skiing. If you can drive in DMV area during snow then you can drive to ski resort. Suggest sign kids up at Massanutten theo’s cub club, group lesson ( it includes lift ticket, equipment, and lesson, and kids would find it more interesting to be with peers while learning something new), if you can’t decide ski or snowboard, sign up both at different day, and stay for the night to enjoy the resort.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From OP’s post and comments, I suspect her kids are at a very expensive private school.

She and her DH are not interested in skiing at all. She is inquiring about it because there are school ski trips and she doesn’t want her kids to be the few who don’t know how to ski.

So it’s the wrong reason for why her kids should learn how to ski. Just don’t have them go on that particular school trip or put them in ski school for that trip and they can decide if they like it or not even.

There is a right reason to learn to ski?

DH and I made an effort to teach our kids to ski (via ski school, not us personally) because we never learned growing up and it was a distinct social disadvantage when we became young professionals. Our large peer/professional friend group were skiers and they could ski very well. There were multiple ski trips a year, before kids of course, and we went along but weren't able to fully participate. So, we made sure to introduce the sport to our kids at a young age so they would feel more comfortable. One absolutely loves it and the other is fine with it but at least can handle the basics competently and with confidence.

The one who loves it now has a sport that he loves to do and is good at doing. And we made sure he learned it because of our own social pressure a long time ago. The reason doesn't matter at this point. Only the result.

Why didn't you learn as young professionals? Our neighbors in Colorado learned in their 50s and now go all the time.

Maybe because they live in Colorado dunce

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From OP’s post and comments, I suspect her kids are at a very expensive private school.

She and her DH are not interested in skiing at all. She is inquiring about it because there are school ski trips and she doesn’t want her kids to be the few who don’t know how to ski.

So it’s the wrong reason for why her kids should learn how to ski. Just don’t have them go on that particular school trip or put them in ski school for that trip and they can decide if they like it or not even.

There is a right reason to learn to ski?

DH and I made an effort to teach our kids to ski (via ski school, not us personally) because we never learned growing up and it was a distinct social disadvantage when we became young professionals. Our large peer/professional friend group were skiers and they could ski very well. There were multiple ski trips a year, before kids of course, and we went along but weren't able to fully participate. So, we made sure to introduce the sport to our kids at a young age so they would feel more comfortable. One absolutely loves it and the other is fine with it but at least can handle the basics competently and with confidence.

The one who loves it now has a sport that he loves to do and is good at doing. And we made sure he learned it because of our own social pressure a long time ago. The reason doesn't matter at this point. Only the result.

Why didn't you learn as young professionals? Our neighbors in Colorado learned in their 50s and now go all the time.

Anonymous wrote:It’s not that hard to learn! Why didn’t you and your husband put on some skis, get some initial help and then just go. You won’t keep up with your work buddies but so what. It’s fun on the smaller runs too.

PP here. That’s exactly what we did. And we had fun. Some things are easier to learn when younger - swimming, ice skating, bike riding, and skiing.

It’s not that hard to learn! Why didn’t you and your husband put on some skis, get some initial help and then just go. You won’t keep up with your work buddies but so what. It’s fun on the smaller runs too.

Anonymous wrote:From OP’s post and comments, I suspect her kids are at a very expensive private school.

She and her DH are not interested in skiing at all. She is inquiring about it because there are school ski trips and she doesn’t want her kids to be the few who don’t know how to ski.

So it’s the wrong reason for why her kids should learn how to ski. Just don’t have them go on that particular school trip or put them in ski school for that trip and they can decide if they like it or not even.

There is a right reason to learn to ski?

DH and I made an effort to teach our kids to ski (via ski school, not us personally) because we never learned growing up and it was a distinct social disadvantage when we became young professionals. Our large peer/professional friend group were skiers and they could ski very well. There were multiple ski trips a year, before kids of course, and we went along but weren't able to fully participate. So, we made sure to introduce the sport to our kids at a young age so they would feel more comfortable. One absolutely loves it and the other is fine with it but at least can handle the basics competently and with confidence.

The one who loves it now has a sport that he loves to do and is good at doing. And we made sure he learned it because of our own social pressure a long time ago. The reason doesn't matter at this point. Only the result.

From OP’s post and comments, I suspect her kids are at a very expensive private school.

She and her DH are not interested in skiing at all. She is inquiring about it because there are school ski trips and she doesn’t want her kids to be the few who don’t know how to ski.

So it’s the wrong reason for why her kids should learn how to ski. Just don’t have them go on that particular school trip or put them in ski school for that trip and they can decide if they like it or not even.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one gets made of fun of for not knowing how to ski/board. It's not a big deal if your kid doesn't know how. Don't worry about that.

not knowing how to ski or snowboards is low class and made fun of at school kind of like messed up teeth without braces

As usual the low class poster couldn’t wait to jump in. No one makes fun of people who don’t want to ski. Some people will spend all their free time at a beach, some will tour every city they can, some love hiking and camping.

I found it easy to ski and my husband is better at everything athletic. The kid found it easy. We went once when the place was not at all crowded. We all went to the top together but I was about 2 hours behind them (kidding), but my husband skis a lot faster than me. It is way down the list of outdoor activities that we enjoy but until you try it you won’t know if it’s enjoyable for you and the kids. At least try.

Anonymous wrote:

I won't argue with you that out west is best, but there are some great resorts for families in Vermont with excellent ski instruction, nicer lodges, and lots of amenities and non-skiing activities. Stowe, Okemo, and Stratton come to mind.

PP here. Sometimes it seems like the travel time to VT is comparable to going out west, but yes this is a good point! And then you don’t have to deal with the hassle of flight schedules, etc. The great thing about skiing and snowboarding is that they are activities you can do together as a family. I think you should go for it, make it a nice vacation with enough additional activities to keep it fun and create great family memories.

Anonymous wrote:It always sounds elitist to only ski/snowboard out west, but it’s a far better experience due to better conditions and fewer crowds. Also, less of this “skiing is better than snowboarding” nonsense. It’s easier to start skiing, but harder to get goods steeper learning curve with snowboarding, but you’ll likely be able to progress more quickly. If you want to really try it in an ideal setting where you are not tortured by ice and crowds, bite the bullet, make a real vacation of it and consider going out west. But as someone mentioned above, if time/money are an issue, don’t sweat it. Lots of people can pick it up in adulthood.

I won't argue with you that out west is best, but there are some great resorts for families in Vermont with excellent ski instruction, nicer lodges, and lots of amenities and non-skiing activities. Stowe, Okemo, and Stratton come to mind.

Anonymous wrote:If OP doesn't mind spending the time and money, then why not let the kids try to learn to ski? They can just attend ski school for a few weeks each year, and of they love it, I'm sure OP can figure out a way for them to ski with an adult babysitter. Or maybe friend's family when they're older. skiing isn't the easiest to learn well when you're an adult, skiing for a few weekends a year as a kid could help them develop some natural feel for it when they are smaller and less likely to be scared of falling and injuring themselves.

OP, if you don't have the time and money to spend on this, then don't do it.

I think ski school is the best way to do it if you don't ski yourself. My kids didn't want to be in ski school all day (well, one of them, anyway), so we started them out where they would have a private lesson together and then we would go out on the mountain with them so they could practice. But you have to be willing to commit to either plan . . . take them often for day or weekend trips, or take them on week-long trips every year where they're on the mountain for days at a time, or do both. If you don't ski yourself, that can get tedious.

It always sounds elitist to only ski/snowboard out west, but it’s a far better experience due to better conditions and fewer crowds. Also, less of this “skiing is better than snowboarding” nonsense. It’s easier to start skiing, but harder to get goods steeper learning curve with snowboarding, but you’ll likely be able to progress more quickly. If you want to really try it in an ideal setting where you are not tortured by ice and crowds, bite the bullet, make a real vacation of it and consider going out west. But as someone mentioned above, if time/money are an issue, don’t sweat it. Lots of people can pick it up in adulthood.

Anonymous wrote:These “snow boarders” are barely above skateboarders and surfers. Ugh!

+1. Please do not allow your child to participate in such a vulgar activity.

These “snow boarders” are barely above skateboarders and surfers. Ugh!

If OP doesn't mind spending the time and money, then why not let the kids try to learn to ski? They can just attend ski school for a few weeks each year, and of they love it, I'm sure OP can figure out a way for them to ski with an adult babysitter. Or maybe friend's family when they're older. skiing isn't the easiest to learn well when you're an adult, skiing for a few weekends a year as a kid could help them develop some natural feel for it when they are smaller and less likely to be scared of falling and injuring themselves.

OP, if you don't have the time and money to spend on this, then don't do it.