Photo by Kristen Lummis, Woodward Copper
By Kristen Lummis, www.braveskimom.com
In early fall, the snow is a tease. Yes, the mountains are turning white in Colorado, but ski season is still weeks away.As all kids (and Tom Petty) know, the waiting is the hardest part, whether youre waiting for Christmas or waiting for snow.So, whats a snow-loving, park riding kid to do?
Go to Woodward Copper, of course.
Woodward Copper is Colorados year-round action sports training facility located at Copper Mountain in Summit County. When the winter terrain parks are closed (like right now), activity focuses on The Barn.
In 2013, the 19,400 square-foot Barn was renovated to switch out the Snowflex for a harder Skatelite material. This created more versatile training facilities that can be used by freestyle skiers, snowboarders, skateboarders, inline skaters, BMX and slopestyle mountain bikers. With jumps, foam pits, trampolines and a pump track, Woodward is a perfect place to spend an autumn afternoon.
During fall, the Barn at Woodward is open weekends only from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. for introductory sessions (mandatory for first-timers), drop-in sessions for teens and adults and private lessons.Even little kids, ages 1 and up, can get in on the action, with two 6-week classes just for them.
For children, ages 1-2, and their parents, Woodward offers a fall Parent/Tot class. Low-key instruction will focus on balance, coordination and fun, fun, fun in an open-gym setting. Toddlers, and their parents, will be introduced to the spring floor, foam pits and trampolines and then set free to bounce and jump to their hearts content.Classes run from 11:00 11:45 a.m. Saturdays beginning October 18th and ending November 23rd. The cost for the session is $99. And, while its not guaranteed to put your toddler down for a long afternoon nap, its a pretty good bet that a morning of activity at Woodward equals an afternoon of peace and quiet at home.
On Sundays from 11:00 11:45 a.m. Woodward offers a Micro T&T (that is, trampoline and tumbling) classes for kids ages 3-4.Like the Parent/Tot class, these sessions focus on balance, coordination and body awareness. The cost is the same, $99, but parents are not required to participate (bummer!).A similar class. Mini T&T for kids ages 5-8, is offered on Saturdays.
Just for kids ages 7-10, Woodwards Ninja Training emphasizes individual creative movement and instruction in tumbling and trampoline the skills that budding Ninjas need!Held on Saturdays, at the same time as Parent/Tot and Mini T&T, the cost is also $99 for a six-week session beginning October 18th.So whether your kids are tiny toddlers or 10-going-on-21 tweens, Woodward can keep them busy, bridging the gap between fall and winter, mud and snow.
Of course, teens (and adults) can drop in for any session, but there are big things in store, for teens at Woodward this winter. For the first time, all teen lessons, regardless of skill, experience or emphasis, will meet at The Barn, Coppers Teen Hub.
All teen classes, ages 13-18, will follow a freestyle lesson format, beginning on the wheeled equipment at The Barn and progressing to snow. Never-ever skiers and riders will get comfortable sliding on wheeled skis and boards and then head outside to the snow, while more experienced teens can learn and practice new park skills indoors before taking them to the mountain.
For more information, check out WoodwardCopper.com and CopperColorado.com.
Enjoy!
