If you’re anything like us, you know that feeling of standing at the top of a mountain poised on the ledge of a drop-in, skis or snowboard cantilevered into thin air, knowing that there’s only one way down and that’s… down. And you also know the feeling you get when you reach the bottom: whether you’re carving beautiful turns like Mikaela Shiffrin or stopping every few yards to check your progress, there’s only one way up and that’s… up. You did it. You did it!
The lessons we take away from skiing and snowboarding—for a single day or over a lifetime—are important and enduring. Remember the first time you rode the lift with strangers? The first time you followed your older brother into the trees? The first time you put together a whole run of perfect turns? Those feelings of self-confidence, courage, and accomplishment last for a lifetime. And there’s every reason to share those experiences with your kids.
First, there’s the obvious: skiing and snowboarding with your kids can be fun and rewarding for the entire family. It’s a great excuse to spend quality time together and a great way to bond. But wait… there’s more!
Snow sports require strength, balance, and coordination, and they use important muscle groups, including those in the legs, core, and upper body. Skiing and snowboarding can also help to increase cardiovascular endurance and burn calories, making them excellent options for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to the physical benefits, skiing and snowboarding can have a positive impact on your mental health and overall well-being. Few things feel better than gazing out over a breathtaking view and taking a good, long, deep breath of fresh, pine-scented mountain air. A bluebird day—and Colorado’s ski areas have the best bluebird days—can help to reduce stress and improve your outlook, to say nothing of the sense of pride that comes from improving your skills on the slopes. These things can boost your mood, no matter what your age.
And it may seem self-evident, but in this age of technology, it’s also worth saying that skiing and snowboarding are great ways to unplug. Taking a break from screens and technology and spending quality time with loved ones in a beautiful natural setting can be refreshing and rejuvenating.
It’s true that skiing and snowboarding require some initial investment in gear and passes and lessons, but we think the benefits far outweigh the costs. And we put our money where our mouth is: check out CSCUSA’s Kids Ski Passport for students in grades 3–6 and the voucher for two free junior rental packages from our partner Christy Sports that comes with it!
We’ll see you on the slopes, you skiers and riders, you powder hounds and park rats, you backcountry boarders and mogul, er… moguls. Here in Colorado Ski Country USA, there’s a mountain for everyone, and everyone benefits from a day on the mountain.
