Age for avalanche terrain

[marshalldemp]

So first a little back ground. I watched the birth of my first child on Sunday. Very exciting! After the shock and excitement wore off a bit and I was sitting up in the middle of the night wondering when or how long one should wait to take the little ones in there life up in the hills. Now let me clear up a few questions. First off I'm not talking about strapping her to my chest and going for it as I'm sure some of you might think( first thing my good buddy said when asked the same question). I'm more wondering what others have done age wise 12,14. What's common practice?

 

[bhowes]

Started talking my nephews at ages 5 & 6 they are now 24 & 25 sledders for life I think

 

[lilduke]

I started going when I was 14 and my brother was 12.Wish I started when I was 5...lol Last year I saw the Micku's out at quartz with the grand kids. some of them are pretty young. Depends on you and the kid really. And the older the kids gets the hairyer the stuff they'll feel comfortable doing. When I was 16 I'd show up most adults.

 

[snopro]

I started going when I was 14 and my brother was 12.Wish I started when I was 5...lol Last year I saw the Micku's out at quartz with the grand kids. some of them are pretty young. Depends on you and the kid really. And the older the kids gets the hairyer the stuff they'll feel comfortable doing. When I was 16 I'd show up most adults.

Yep when Bob was hauling those kids around with that truck/trailer setup with sleds over the roof those kids would load them like nothing. Now look at them. Corey is one of the best riders in the sport.

 

[snopro]

Started talking my nephews at ages 5 & 6 they are now 24 & 25 sledders for life I think

Dang.....your old Blair. Lol.

 

[jpgmtech]

I've been riding a sled for as long as I can remember, and riding in the hills since I was 12. As far as avy terrain was concerned, the sleds were tamer and my dad along with Bob, Dave, Wayne and the other Micku's of that generation (that old already!!!) let us know exactly what to do and what to look for. They kept us kids pretty safe. The mountains and the forces acting on them were pretty easy to respect in the awed eye's of a 12 year old. I've never lost that respect.

 

[bhowes]

Dang.....your old Blair. Lol.

allmost as old as you ken allmost

 

[snopro]

allmost as old as you ken allmost

I'm in sheeeeet now! Lol.

 

[wyodirtbagdad]

I make a lot of tongue in check posts.....


this isn't on of them.

It will all depend on the child, their judgment, self control, and knowledge. Have to remember that teenagers are adult sizes but mentally may not have the strength to make the correct judgement calls on when the risk is just too high for something. Nothing wrong with changing your riding areas to more mellow terrain to teach them and get them into it. End of the day you need to make sure that as you are teaching them to ride that you also need to be teaching backcountry prepairdness, avalanche awareness, first aid, and responsibility. I look at riding sleds as one of the greatest things you can share with kids, but it carries great responsibility similar to teaching them to drive. Its an awesome skill but there needs to be a lot of time and effort into the teaching phase.

 

[marshalldemp]

I make a lot of tongue in check posts.....


this isn't on of them.

It will all depend on the child, their judgment, self control, and knowledge. Have to remember that teenagers are adult sizes but mentally may not have the strength to make the correct judgement calls on when the risk is just too high for something. Nothing wrong with changing your riding areas to more mellow terrain to teach them and get them into it. End of the day you need to make sure that as you are teaching them to ride that you also need to be teaching backcountry prepairdness, avalanche awareness, first aid, and responsibility. I look at riding sleds as one of the greatest things you can share with kids, but it carries great responsibility similar to teaching them to drive. Its an awesome skill but there needs to be a lot of time and effort into the teaching phase.

Guess it's really a case by case kinda choice. I really am looking forward to sharing my love and respect for the mountains as well as love for sledding. As far as riding areas go I would have no problem taming it down with the kids. There is how ever always an objective risk entering even tamer spots. Can't think of any places where you don't have to cross at least one slide path even if it's on the trail up. Great take home message though. I prolly have more objective risk driving on QE2 in my truck than on most days up in the hills.

 

[marshalldemp]

Started talking my nephews at ages 5 & 6 they are now 24 & 25 sledders for life I think

Riding with you or on there own sleds? That's awesome! And I'm guessing something maybe they will be able to share with there kids one day

 

[Fatdaddy]

We started ours boys at 10 & 12 in the mtns but had them riding at home when they were 6. It is amazing how quick they pick up on the different terrain but still keep them away from the danger zone. They are now 16 & 14 & are booked in with Zacs for their avy training before xmas this year. One other thing about starting them young is to brainwash them about cats lol

 

[deaner]

Congratulations man. I had my first 9 months ago. Its one of those things you just dont understand until you experience. Nothing on earth like becoming a parent.

I cant wait to start doing stuff with my little guy. Probably gonna have him on a sled as soon as he can. Probably take him up into the mountains as soon as he is up for it, but really pick and choose the areas we go into so they are plenty safe, and have lots of mild stuff for them to play on.

 

[bhowes]

Riding in front w/ my brother and I on separate sleds until their helmets started hitting us in the chin then on the back of the sleds started riding their own about 12 or 13

 

[snopro]

Have a buddy that has taken his 3 year old out with him. Kid keeps falling asleep on the trail in so he runs a bungee cord around the helmet and himself so the kids neck doesn't break off. Lol.

 

[bhowes]

Yup the boys always stayed awake on the ride in but the whoops on the way out always but them to sleep the old head bob was the tell tale sign that the day was over I'm lmao right know just thinking about it will have to tease them about it on the weekend those were always good days mostly kat or Bragg creek close to home so their mom would not worry so much