Sport for Kids

Joanna Habdank, North Shore News
Published: Sunday, December 28, 2008

The baby of the family has taken her first steps, said the important words, then sentences, and is eager for more challenges.

She’s ready for the next big first, and on the North Shore that often means skiing or snowboarding lessons.

This season Mt. Seymour is offering Bear Cubs camps for children four to seven years old.

In these small classes, with an average ration of three to four children per instructor, kids are gently eased to taking their first runs as they slowly gain more confidence on the snow, says Jonathan Mosley, ski and snowboard school manager at the local mountain.

“The key focus is to get them out on snow and actually start developing the skills that will allow them to start exploring with their parents or brothers or sisters as they grow up,” says Mosley.

The classes are an hour and a half, beginning with a fun warm up, he says.
One of first things the wee ones learn is the ability to stop and do basic turns, says Mosley.

They stay in the Bear Bowl area using the magic carpet, which is a 42-foot long lift used specifically for the little beginners. Then they move on to the larger lifts.
“An average child, after four days, has probably progressed to our beginner lift, the Goldie Rope Tow, a typical green run, and doing exercises, (such as a) little slalom,” says Mosley.

Oftentimes, the biggest hurdle for children just learning is simply getting used to the equipment.

“Kids that are four, five, six are still growing quite quickly and developing their coordination,” says Mosley.

“It’s a challenge for them to adapt to having skis or snow boots.
“Once they’ve made the jump to being able to control their skis, then they progress quite quickly.”

Those tots that do pick up on the skills quicker, notes Mosley, can split off into a separate group and ski or snowboard in the terrain that best suits their abilities.
“This is a very popular program, a lot of children come back to do other programs.
“They start when they are four and they keep doing it until they are six or seven,” says Mosley.

Registration is required at least three days prior to lessons.
The four-day camp costs $198 plus another $40 with rentals.
They run every Saturday and Sunday from Jan. 10 until Mar. 22.
Classes start at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. on the weekend, and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
The mountain also offers a wide range of programs for older children including freestyle camp (ages 10 to 15), day riders (ages nine to 13), mountain riders (ages seven to 12) and free riders (ages 13 to 16), as well as adult programs.
For more information call 604-986-2261 or go online at www.mountseymour.com