Quiet place for family (father / daughter) snowboarding lessons & equipment rental?

Submitted by OzziesFlyingHelmet t3_10pxmz1 in Maine

Good morning! My daughter (9) has expressed interest in learning how to snowboard. It's something that I also was very interested in as a kid (I grew up playing a lot of 1080 Snowboarding on the N64), but my parents never had time to get me into lessons... They were out straight, and I don't blame them one but.

Anyway, as someone who is now closer to 40 than 30, the thought of learning is a bit intimidating, but I also am excited of the possibility that my daughter and I could develop a hobby together in this.

We're located just south of Augusta, and while we'd be willing to travel for the perfect spot, something closer than the farthest mountains would be appreciated.

With that said, what would be the best advice on a location that is 1) not super busy, 2) provides family type lessons where we could learn together, and 3) provides rentals for equipment (helmet / board / boots)?

Thanks!

10

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

feina635 t1_j6moodp wrote

Mt. Abram is a great place to learn.

30

Fattski t1_j6msrlf wrote

Second Mt Abram. My son took lessons there the West side is a great place to learn and it’s a super friendly mountain.

9

OzziesFlyingHelmet OP t1_j6mpoyc wrote

That's a recommendation that I did come across in the past - will definitely look into it!

3

justnocrazymaker t1_j6n3o9q wrote

Caveat—go on Thursday or Friday if you can. Weekends are really busy lately and lessons book up fast!

2

jarnhestur t1_j6nbg5r wrote

Same. Taught my kids at Mt. Abram. They offer reasonably priced lessons.

2

IWASRUNNING91 t1_j6mnfe7 wrote

I would recommend Lost Valley in Auburn as it's more a hill than mountain. I used to teach there and feel like they do a pretty good job.

My biggest advice starting out: the trick will always be to keep whichever edge is facing down the hill is angled up. If your back is facing down hill you'll be putting pressure on your toes, or if your front is facing down hill then pressure on your heels. Keep your knees slightly bent.

26

OzziesFlyingHelmet OP t1_j6mo71n wrote

Thank you so much for the advice! All of that makes sense 😊

We drive by Lost Valley frequently in the summer - I'll definitely check that out! I like the hill rather than mountain idea a lot!

8

sledbelly t1_j6n170w wrote

My husband used to teach snowboarding and when he was teaching our son and our nieces and nephews, his go to is always lost valley.

4

heck-ward t1_j6n89eg wrote

Definitely agree with Lost Valley, it's where I learned to ski. Took class field trips and we all figured it out pretty easily there.

4

guedelha t1_j6n658c wrote

I second that. I’m Brazilian and never had snow growing up, but I surfed and always wanted to try snowboard. I’m not good at all and feel comfortable enough even on blue trails at Lost Valley. I found my snowboard in a trash can, watched a bunch of youtube videos and pretty much learned by myself and I’m 36!

My kid (5) took lessons there for the first time this year and she is doing a good job.

2

Pixel8tedOne t1_j6oly4g wrote

I learned to snowboard at Lost Valley when I was 32. They had an adult group class (as well as kids classes) and it was great to learn with other freaked out adults. It's also big enough of a hill to learn on, w/o it feeling scary but also cheap enough that you don't feel like you are spending a lot on a mountain that you cant use a lot of.

2

Maine-iac_207 t1_j6mqnwq wrote

You could also look into the Camden Snow Bowl. Avoid the tobaggan race weekend if you want quiet though. As others said, Lost Valley or Mt Abram are fine choices too.

9

ashleyoftheways t1_j6msfeq wrote

I also recommend Abram! I know they offer lessons on the West Side and lift tickets are only $35. Also, Titcomb will be the closest spot for you. I don’t know if they offer lessons it’ll be a great spot to get some practice runs in.

8

TheBookShopOfBF t1_j6n7s6z wrote

I gotta put in a plug for Pleasant Mountain (FKA Shawnee Peak). It's a little farther from you than Lost Valley, but there's a little more room to move around and there are a few great snowboard instructors who often do family lessons.

But the best answer is whichever place is most convenient and that you'll actually go to regularly. If you want to snowboard, you need to get out there and do it and develop the muscle memory and confidence to enjoy it.

Pleasant and Lost Valley are particularly good because they offer night skiing, which can be more convenient and less expensive. Monday nights at Pleasant are only $24 and there's a ton of terrain open under the lights.

7

OzziesFlyingHelmet OP t1_j6na3hu wrote

Yeah, as appealing as Mt Abram and Pleasant are, Lost Valley is incredibly close - it would save us over 2 hours in traveling alone. We will likely start there, and then venture out beyond if we get hooked. Thanks for the advice!

2

Cosmoplasma t1_j6mulux wrote

Mt. Abram all the way! Mt Abram Westside is a very chill place to learn. It's very reasonably priced and the overall vibe of the mountain is laid back compared to the crowded corporate resorts.

6

josh_was_there t1_j6n7mbq wrote

Big squaw in Greenville has a magic carpet and not to busy.

4

hike_me t1_j6nh1b5 wrote

One option:

The unfortunately still sticking to a racist name “Big Squaw Mountain” near Greenville.

They have a magic carpet for the beginners and a triple chair serving beginner and intermediate terrain. The old double lift to the summit no longer exists, so terrain is limited but it’s fine for a beginner. It’s run by a local non-profit that leases it from the current neglectful owner (until it finally gets sold to a developer someday)

They have rentals and lessons, but aren’t open every day of the week. Lift ticket prices are very reasonable.

I’ve been a few times and it wasn’t busy. One time was after an big storm and conditions were great. I went last year during a cold snap after a partial thaw and the snow was thin and rock hard though.

3

Dr_Lexus_Tobaggan t1_j6mward wrote

Keep the pressure on the downhill side of the uphill edge.

​

Maybe start on skis first till you learn edge control. the initial learning curve on skis easier on flatter beginner style hills. I find the edgework on the board to be more challenging on beginner style terrain as you need a bit of inertia to keep the pressure on the downhill side of the uphill edge.

2

ToesocksandFlipflops t1_j6np8jw wrote

I see you are getting downvoted. I work at a mountain. I have done both and I am decent enough to get down blacks and some double blacks on both. Here is my recommendation when people ask me. If you have time to dedicate to learning snowboarding is a blast, super fun and once to get the hang of it easier to do tricks, and extend your ability. If you going once a year, and just want to enjoy your day going up and down the bunny slope, skiing is where you should be.

3

OzziesFlyingHelmet OP t1_j6o7sfu wrote

Thanks for the advice, and I completely agree. I have a feeling that even if she loves it, we likely won't go enough for her to master the sport. Then again, she may become obsessed... So who knows.

I would absolutely agree that skiing is the better casual / part time winter activity. We may end up there in the future...

Thanks again!

1

ToesocksandFlipflops t1_j6o814v wrote

I always love to see little shredders on the hill. Good for her for wanting to try, it's awesome. Good luck to her hopefully she will be a natural.

2

OzziesFlyingHelmet OP t1_j6o7h4e wrote

Sorry you're getting down voted for your opinion... I totally get where you're coming from, and I agree that skiing is probably the easier route to start. I also don't know what this will turn into... We're actually pretty busy in the winter with my daughter's sports schedule, so this may be a "let's go to lost valley 3-4 times per winter thing... Or even less. Or maybe more... Who knows.

All I know is that she loves the idea of snowboarding, but isn't interested in skiing. I have to respect that, as I felt exactly the same at her age.

Time will tell what this turns into - thank you for the advice!

2

A-roguebanana t1_j6oivs9 wrote

FWIW I tried skiing first and couldn’t get the hang of it. Granted I didn’t have a proper lesson. First time out snowboarding (without a lesson) I could make it down the mountain. I picked it up faster and a proper lesson helped a lot.

Lost Valley is a nice hill. Camden is good too.

2

Dr_Lexus_Tobaggan t1_j6ok1hu wrote

I get that, its just if neither of you have any experience, putting in a couple of hours on Skis is a more gentle introduction to the basic downhill concepts which transfer between disciplines.

quick tip, DO NOT try to catch a sudden fall with your arms. broken wrist is very common injury for beginners on a board. just cross your arms over your chest and wear a proper helmet.

2

725kire t1_j6myaf0 wrote

I’ve been very impressed with the ski school at saddleback. It might not be quiet on weekends but the staff was awesome a few years ago when our kids were learning. Your best bet is to both be in separate lessons to start and then begin riding together and improving. Expect to have some aches for a day or 2 after your first time out.

2

drnkinmule t1_j6n2k9f wrote

Mt. Abram is good. I like King Pine in NH too for the kiddos, smaller, family owned inexpensive and usually no lift lines for a lot of runs.

2

ztriple3 t1_j6np4kj wrote

Watch the forecast and wait for a clear day after a snowy day or night.buy ur tix for everything ahead of time. Full day or half day. Pull her out of school for the day

2

Dirty_Lew t1_j6nsdw3 wrote

Lost Valley is a great hill to learn on, especially if it’s relatively close to you. They have a small beginner hill with a “magic carpet” lift and the main hill isn’t too intimidating. Try to go on a week day to avoid the busy weekend.

2

SubconciousPilot t1_j6ntqvg wrote

Mt Abram currently has wknd lift tickets for only $35, and the beginner's magic carpet $10. My kids loved learning there!

2

nightwolves t1_j6nycpn wrote

Mt. Abram, Titcomb, Lost Valley

2

JimBones31 t1_j6o96o1 wrote

Camden snowball is only about 45 minutes?

2

OzziesFlyingHelmet OP t1_j6ohblh wrote

Just checked - yup - almost exactly the same distance as lost valley. A big longer drive without the highway... I'll definitely check it out!

2