Snowboarding is a really fun, active, and challenging way to get kids outside during the winter months. Today, Chelsea Furlong, a Virginia Beach teacher, photographer, and mom of two skateboarding kids is here to share her family’s recent experience at Bolton Valley Resort in Richmond, Vermont, learning how to snowboard. She gives us a great overview of the property, the process of getting outfitted, and all the amazing amenities this gorgeous ski resort has to offer. Let’s check it out!
From skateboarding to snowboarding
For over two years my kids had been begging us to take them to the mountains to learn how to snowboard. They are avid skateboarders and all of their skater friends kept telling them they’d love snowboarding and pick it up quickly.
We live in Virginia Beach, so snowy mountains aren’t readily accessible to us. We do have some places a few hours west, but having grown up in Vermont, I just couldn’t get past the idea of my children starting their journey in the beautiful Green Mountain State!
Having said that, I’ll note that I did NOT grow up skiing every minute of the winter as some may assume. I grew up in an ice hockey family, so we never went skiing in the wintertime because we spent so much time in hockey rinks during the winter months. Since then, I have been skiing a handful of times over the years, all in the very spot we decided to take our own children to learn how to snowboard (which made this whole experience super special)!
Learning a new skill
As a parent, I’m sure many of you can relate to the conundrum of your children being interested in something you cannot teach them! First skateboarding and then snowboarding, they’ve been a bit out of luck when it comes to learning skills and sports from me. I am NOT a skateboarder (shocking, I know), but I have learned how to foster my children’s growth in the sport. I knew I could do the same with this new interest in snowboarding.
So, whether or not you’re a skateboarder or snowboarder (or a skier or have never even been on a mountain), you can, too! You don’t have to know how to do ALL THE THINGS in order to provide your kids with opportunities to learn something new. You can jump in together! It’s a great way to show them that you can learn and try new things at any age!
Here is how it went for us…
Snowboarding check-in and rentals
We arrived at Bolton Valley Resort on a Monday evening. We checked in to our awesome room in the mountainside lodge. It was perfect for our family of 4. Right after check-in, we headed over to the rental shop to get outfitted with all of our gear.
My husband and I got set up for skiing and the boys got their snowboarding gear. The staff members in the rental shop were so helpful in getting us everything we needed to get started! If you’ve ever been through the process of renting ski or snow gear with (or even without) kids, you know how frustrating this process can be. The staff made it all so easy and answered all our questions about fit, gear, comfort, and sizing.
Snowboarding gear for kids
The boys got fitted and set up with boots, bindings, boards, and helmets. Since this is something we’ve never done before, it was super helpful to have knowledgeable professionals there to make sure we were set up properly! I do highly recommend renting gear on-site because it’s so easy to grab your things and head out on the mountain or bring it back to your room.
The gear they had available was high-quality gear. They even have seasonal rentals if you live in the area but don’t want to spend the money to purchase it for your entire family. This is especially a good idea with littles that are just trying it out to see if they like it!
Snowboarding lessons for kids and practice hill
Since we don’t snowboard, we opted for lessons for both boys first thing in the morning the next day at Bolton Valley Resort! The instructor they had was amazing! He was encouraging, relaxed, knowledgeable, and patient. By the time they were done lesson, both boys could independently clip in, and get up and down a small sloped area.
Once they were mobile, we moved on to the rope tow hill. We spent the rest of the day practicing here, while taking frequent breaks to rest, eat, hydrate, and warm-up whenever necessary! It is critical to take breaks frequently. You know your children best, so you’ll know when they’re becoming too frustrated, cold, or hungry.
Like with any new skill, there is a fine line between the point when encouraging your children to keep trying and knowing when it’s becoming too much and they need a break to reset.
Practicing with the tow rope
The rope tow hill at Bolton Valley was the perfect spot for learning the basics of snowboarding with kids. It is large enough to have a nice ride down, but not intimidating or too difficult. I actually chose to stand in my boots and take off my skis while the boys were learning how to get up and down the hill. They did need me to occasionally walk to them to assist them, and it was easier for me to assist them without my skis on. But you could leave your gear on as well, if that’s what you’d prefer.
The staff at the tow rope were so incredibly helpful and patient! They paid very close attention and assisted every person, from toddlers to adults, as they were learning. They were absolutely wonderful and so encouraging.
Making to the lifts
The boys spent the entire first day on the rope tow hill at Bolton Valley. My oldest (age 9) practiced a couple more times the next morning, and then decided he was ready for the lifts! We made sure that he was able to show enough control to turn and slow himself down when he got going too fast before sending him up the mountain.
I stayed with our younger son, while my husband took the older one up to try out the easiest trail! He said he fell a lot but was smiling from ear to ear and so proud of himself. He spent the rest of the day riding with his dad, while I stayed with his brother who ended up not feeling well. (You know how vacations go with kids – someone always ends up sick, right?!)
From skateboarding to snowboarding
So, did all of that skateboarding really help them learn to snowboard quickly? Well, sort of…
Since I don’t have a reference point for how long it takes most people to learn to ride a snowboard, it’s hard for me to judge. However, the staff at Bolton were impressed by how quickly they picked it up and surprised our oldest was able to go up and down the mountain within 24 hours.
The movement and balancing they’re used to with skateboarding definitely made the transition easier! I think both of the boys were surprised by how challenging snowboarding was for them given their skating skills. I think they assumed they’d be zipping down the mountain with ease on day one. It didn’t quite happen that easily, but it was a great lesson to learn and experience for both of them. They both loved the challenge of trying something new! I know they’ll be asking us to go again as soon as the fall arrives this year.
Other activities at Bolton Valley Resort
One of our absolute favorite things about Bolton Valley Resort is that it has an indoor skatepark!! I mean, does it get any better than a ski resort that also has a skatepark?! (No, it doesn’t.)
The skatepark is attached to the Sports Center and has both street and traditional features. It includes a micro mini ramp, a mini ramp, a vert ramp, and even a bowl to ride. It was like a dream come true for my kids to be able to go from snowboarding to skateboarding all day long.
The Sports Center also includes a pool, sauna, and hot tub, as well as a game room. And everything at the resort is close enough together that you can easily walk from your room, to the lifts, to the restaurants, to the Sports Center as much as you want! It doesn’t feel overwhelming because it’s all easily accessible.
Night skiing and snowboarding at Bolton Valley
Another extra special thing about Bolton Valley Resort is that it’s the only ski resort in Vermont that offers night skiing and riding! Typically offered 5 days a week, this is definitely one of the unique highlights of skiing and riding at Bolton. The atmosphere at the resort during night skiing and riding is so much fun! There is a vibe that you just can’t find anywhere else. Night skiing and riding runs from 4:00-10:00 PM and gives you the opportunity to ski and ride during sunset, which is a stunning sight.
Summer at Bolton Valley
During the summer months, Bolton Valley opens up its trails and lifts for mountain biking, which looks like a blast. They also have hiking, live music nights, and skate camps for kids. So, if you’re visiting Vermont in the summer months, it is definitely still worth checking out all Bolton has to offer!
Dining at Bolton Valley
In between all of the hard work skiing, riding, skateboarding, and swimming, we took lots of breaks to rest and refuel! There are several spots to grab a bite and a drink at Bolton Valley Resort. The Base Lodge Cabin offers quick breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. My kids are huge breakfast burrito fans so those were a big hit for us! The James Moore Tavern has a great menu and selection of local brews.
When in Vermont, be sure to try the poutine and amazing local beers and ciders. Fireside Flatbread offers fresh flatbreads and pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. If you happen to be visiting during a Thursday – Sunday evening, you may also find that Miso Toh Kome is open! Miso Toh Kome is a slopeside stand that offers Japanese onigiri, sushi rice balls, miso soup, and Japanese coffee.
Quick Summary of Bolton Valley Resort
What I love:
- Small resort, so really great for just starting out
- Recommend staying right there because little ones get tired and cold. You can go back and forth from your room to the lifts all day.
- Night skiing/riding!
- The skatepark (of course)
- On-site dining options – breakfast burrito and maple breakfast sandwich were especially a hit. And the poutine!
- Lifts and trails don’t feel overwhelming
- Super friendly staff
- Convenient lessons right outside the lodge for quick and easy access
- Resort location is close to Burlington (most of the ski resorts in Vermont are not)
- Laidback vibe – doesn’t feel stuffy or pretentious like some larger, busier, more well-known ski resorts
- Sauna, pool, and hot tub
Tips for snowboarding with kids at Bolton Valley
- Bring extra snacks and drinks for the mini fridge so you don’t have to drive back down the mountain to get what you need
- Stay at the resort to eliminate unnecessary stress! It’s so much more enjoyable to have a room right at the lifts than to worry about going back and forth between lodging and skiing/riding.
- Take breaks as often as needed
- Check the dining facility schedule for which place is open and when. Then plan your time on the mountain around that!
- Bring your skate gear! You won’t want to pass up the epic skatepark.
- Be prepared for all kinds of weather, especially if you’re planning a spring trip, as we did! Plan to dress in layers.
- Goggles helped. I wasn’t planning to get everyone goggles, thinking we wouldn’t need them. However, we did have a day that was incredibly windy and the goggles helped a lot with keeping the kids more comfortable since the wind gusts and snow were blocked from their eyes.
Bolton Valley Resort information
Website: www.boltonvalley.com
Address: 4302 Bolton Access Rd, Richmond, VT 05477
Phone: (802) 434-3444
Have your kids tried snowboarding?
About the author
Chelsea is a photographer, mother of two busy boys, and a sunshine and fresh air addict. Her family lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and spends as much time outdoors as they possibly can! Most of their outdoor adventures involve exploring the beach, inlets, and nature trails nearby. They love biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, building forts, and playing in the sand! During the warm months, you can find them enjoying the Chesapeake Bay almost every night until long after the sun goes down. They’re doing our best to reduce their carbon footprint and always try to leave every trail cleaner than it was when they arrived. Chelsea is also the Run Wild My Child Sustainability Expert and helps spearhead our efforts at reducing our carbon footprint and leads our eco-challenges.
You can find Chelsea online in the following locations:
Instagram: @dimples.and.the.blonde
Website: dimplesandtheblonde.com
RWMC posts: Chelsea Furlong
2 comments