Is 2.5 hours a long enough snowboard lesson for my wife and 7 year old son?

Your kid will pick it up much faster than your wife if he's a coordinated kid.

Yes, no
Yes
I've snowboarded a decent amount and have never hurt my wrists or tailbone.

wut?

You have to think about how much of that time would be spent riding back up the mountain on the lift, getting situated/strapped in at the top.. water break, bathroom break (kid maybe?). If it is not too much more $$, I would go for the 5 hour which is about a half day of time.

I snowboard and I can keep up with any skier, go down any black, navigate all cat walks just fine - but that took 3 years to get to the level I am now where I will have a whole day with 0 falls - and I got from about 9am to 3-4pm.

I also thought I was in good enough shape 3 months after having my baby and... that was the biggest fail I've ever had. Brought me back to my 1st or 2nd year learning. Core strength is incredibly imperative.

Long story short... I would play it safe and opt for 5 hours. You won't feel as rushed.

Similar question here, but for skiing. We’re looking to ski for the first time, how long of a lesson should we get? Looks like we’re looking at 2 hour, 3 hour and 5 hour lesson plans. We’re fairly athletic and hike most weekends here.

Snowboarding is for chumps. Teach your son to ski like a man.

I'd do the 5-hour lesson plan. By the end of that lesson, everyone should be familiar with the basics.

quote:

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Snowboarding is for chumps. Teach your son to ski like a man.

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Not to mention ruining the snow, and as a group having a much higher percentage of shitheads.

I've been telemark skiing for seven years now. I don't think I'll even go back to alpine equipment because the equipment and boots are so much more comfortable and you can get around with more efficiency. I can always revert to making alpine turns at the end of the day as well.

2.5 hours is not enough. Do the 5 hour. If your 7 year old is reasonably coordinated and not scared of falling, he will be good to go and probably begging to go down harder slopes the next day.

I ski and do not snowboard. I've watched my son learn when he was about 12. He was athletic and picked it up super easy. He also was not scared to fall and spent a lot of time in the snow. I feel like you fall a lot more often snowboarding than skiing. Based on your wife's level of athleticism, she might find skiing easier. I had someone teach me for a few hours. I picked up skiing ok, but I really wish I'd taken the lessons.