I have been waiting for the day I would get to see my girls’ snowboard and buy them a toddler snowboard. Recently we took our oldest daughter who is 3 on her first snowboarding adventure.
You can read about that adventure here.
Our oldest was lucky to be gifted a toddler snowboard for her 3rd birthday this summer. Since then, she has been begging to go snowboarding and it was truly amazing how well she did.
Just looking for our toddler snowboard recommendation and recommendation for a helmet/goggle combo?
We recommend buying the Burton After School Special Snowboard that comes with bindings.
Pair that with a Riglet reel and the MDX One harness or the Canadian Lil’ Ripper Gripper Harness to prevent those heavy face plants for kids under 3 and you are set!
Is it out of stock? The Burton Mini Grom Flat Top Snowboard is another great option that start at 80 cm. They do not come with bindings. Purchase the Small Burton Grom Bindings or the Medium Burton Grom Bindings depending on your toddlers shoe size to go with the Mini Grom Grom Rocker snowboard. There are also now grom Step On bindings and Step On boots.
Have the board but need affordable and high quality helmet or goggles?
Enjoy 25% off the following snowboard helmets and goggles until November 30th with code “BLACK25” at check out here. Use the code “BTBA” anytime for 15% off at check out here
For young kids, I recommend the Reindeer + Happy Valley Kids Snow Bundle.
For older kids, I recommend investing in the MITS safety feature and purchasing the Elks MIPS helmet and the Ultra Zeiss Goggles. Our 11 year old, my husband, and I both have these helmet and ski goggles.
5 tips to buying a toddler snowboard
Are you wanting to get your little one into snowboarding?
Well the first thing that you need to get is a board! Here are 5 tips to buying a toddler snowboard.
Retractable Cord
A retractable cord like the Burton Riglet Reel can be added to the nose of your toddler’s snow board.
The cord allows you to pull your toddler while they are attached to the snowboard.
Pulling your toddler is a great way to introduce snowboarding and the cord also helps move your toddler around without having to carry them or take them out of their bindings .
Purchase the Riglet Reel Here.
Snowboard Height
Toddlers will typically need a snowboard that is 80-90 cm in height. If they are under 90 cm tall then go for an 80 cm board and if they are over 90 cm tall then try a 85-90 cm board.
Our 80 cm boards lasted from age 1-5 for our girls.
They are both average in height and weight.
Our seven year old recently jumped from an 80 to a 100 cm board. If your four year old is just getting into snowboarding then I would go with a 90 cm over the 80 cm board. I recommend the Burton After School Special Snowboard as it comes with bindings and was build for young children.
Bindings with Straps
Buy a snowboard that has bindings that will secure your toddlers regular winter boots.
Do not choose a board with bindings that do not secure the boot.
The Burton After School Special comes with bindings that work with regular hard ankled snow boots.
It is important to graduate to snowboard boots when they start to board slide more frequently and are turning.
Purchase the Burton After School Special here.
Out of stock? The Burton Mini Grom Flat Top Snowboard is another great option that start at 80 cm. They do not come with bindings. Purchase the Small Burton Grom Bindings or the Medium Burton Grom Bindings depending on your toddlers shoe size to go with the Mini Grom Grom Rocker snowboard. There are also now grom Step On bindings and Step On boots.
Board with an edge
If you are planning on taking your toddler out to learn how to snowboard then make sure to buy a snowboard made by a snowboarding company.
For a fun play board that is fun to use on a carpet at home, in the backyard, or on a trampoline then consider purchase the riglet board.
This board does not have an edge but is also a great board for babies just learning to stand and walk. They can be pulled around on flat ground.
Note: If you choose to buy a cheaper snowboard without an edge then be prepared to only use it in the backyard or at a sledding hill.
It will be challenging for your toddler to learn how to properly carve using one of these snowboards but they are great if they are only going to go 1-2 times and you want some cute pictures.
Essentially these boards are sleds that you stand up on.
Buy Used/On Sale/Buy Back Program
Buy Used
Buy your toddler a used snowboard on a buy and sell site. Look for outdoor groups in your city that sell outdoor equipment.
On Sale
If you know that you will be wanting one when your toddler is a baby then another option is to try buying one at a gear shop or at a ski hill’s end of season sale.
Buy Back Program
If you are going to buy the snowboard brand new than try to find a outdoor store that has a buy back program.
What that means is that you pay full price for your first snowboard for your child.
Then when they grow and you need a new board you return the old board and buy a new one 50% off.
Many outdoor stores have these programs so buy from one that you know you can return too!
I have been writing about snowboarding with kids for a few years now! Check out our other snowboarding resources.
Curious to learn a little bit more about our family? Read more on our About Us page!
Great idea to avoid the resort and just go snowboarding at the local hill!
If you are going to try the ski hill, be sure to consider a “ripper gripper” or another such harness. Ripper Gripper is my choice as its designed and made in Golden, BC. I do not work for them, however we have had super success with ours: http://www.lilrippergripper.com
Way to go on that board!!!!
It’s been so fun! We are actually testing out the little ripper gripper right now for them!