Our Experience with KinderSnow at Manning Park This Season
There’s something humbling about standing at the base of a ski hill with a four-year-old in full snow gear. The boots feel stiff. The board looks oversized. The hill feels big. And as a parent, you’re quietly wondering if this is going to be magical… or meltdown territory.
This season, we enrolled Aspen in the KinderSnow program at Manning Park Resort, and after several weeks on the mountain, I feel like we’ve seen enough progression to share an honest perspective.
The short version? We’re really glad we committed to more than one lesson.
This Wasn’t Our First Attempt
This isn’t our first season trying to get Aspen on snow.
Two winters ago, during a family trip to Kananaskis, we rode at Nakiska. They had a beginner-friendly learning area with a magic carpet, and she absolutely loved it. She was curious, engaged, and excited to ride.
But when we came home, we couldn’t find anything locally that felt quite as approachable.
The following winter, when she was three, we tried again at Manning. At that time, the beginner area relied on a rope tow — and it just wasn’t happening. Between the coordination required and the general overwhelm of being three, it was clear she wasn’t ready.
And I think more parents need to hear this: sometimes it’s not a “no.” It’s just a “not yet.”
This year feels completely different.
She’s four now. She can listen, comprehend instructions, and regulate her emotions in a way she simply couldn’t at three. She remembers what she learned the week before. She understands cause and effect.
The addition of the magic carpet has made a huge difference — but so has her age.
Four has been the sweet spot for us.
We even have River, our almost two-year-old, out on a board right now. He thinks it’s fun. He loves being outside. But he doesn’t really understand what’s happening yet — and that’s okay.
Watching them side by side has made one thing very clear: enjoying snow and being ready for structured lessons are two different things.
Why We Chose an Instructor over Teaching Ourselves
For context, I have a strong background in snowboarding. I was CASI certified and taught kids’ classes at Sasquatch Mountain (previously Hemlock) as a teenager. I understand skill progression, edge control, and how to introduce fundamentals safely.
And even with that experience, it felt important to have someone else teach her.
Learning from an instructor who isn’t mom or dad changes the dynamic. Kids listen differently. They take feedback differently. There’s less emotional pressure, and it allows us to stay in the supportive role instead of becoming the coach.
That separation has been invaluable.
A Calm, Beginner-Friendly Mountain Environment
Another factor we’ve appreciated is how calm Manning can feel, especially mid-week. There’s less congestion in the beginner area, which makes the whole experience less overwhelming for young kids who are already processing so much.
But beyond the hill itself, the layout makes family logistics surprisingly easy.
If you arrive early, you can often park right near the top of the novice area. We’ve made a bit of a tradition out of it — tailgating between lessons, bringing a small firepit, making lunch, and letting the kids play in the snow while we watch the lesson zone from nearby.
It turns the day into more than just a drop-off lesson. It feels relaxed. Community-oriented. Unhurried.
For families with multiple kids — especially when one is riding and one is just playing (hello, toddler life) — that flexibility makes a big difference.
It’s not just beginner-friendly terrain. It’s a beginner-friendly experience.
The Value of the Private Lesson Format
KinderSnow is structured as a one-child-per-instructor lesson, and we’ve loved that format.
At four years old, pacing matters. Attention spans fluctuate. Energy dips happen. Having an instructor fully focused on one child allows the lesson to adapt in real time — whether that means extra practice on one skill or taking a quick reset break.
The instructors have been incredible. We try to request Tiago whenever he’s available because Aspen connects so well with him, but every instructor we’ve had has been patient, encouraging, and invested in her success.
That consistency builds trust. And trust builds confidence.
The Progression We’ve Seen So Far
One of the most reassuring parts of this experience has been seeing clear, measurable progression.
When we started, Aspen truly didn’t know anything about snowboarding beyond standing sideways on a board. Over the past few weeks, she’s been introduced to foundational skills in a way that actually makes sense for her age. She’s learning the difference between heel edge and toe edge, how to bend her knees and stand tall, and how to use her “airplane arms” for balance. She’s starting to understand that you look where you want to go and lean gently into your turns.
Those concepts might sound simple, but at four years old, they’re significant building blocks.
She’s also becoming more independent with the mechanics. She can clip and unclip her bindings with less assistance and stand up on her own after a fall. That independence alone has boosted her confidence noticeably.
To be fully transparent, she still holds her instructor’s hand quite a bit — and that’s completely appropriate at this age. The goal right now isn’t full solo runs from top to bottom. It’s controlled glides, safe stopping, and building trust. Each lesson, we’ve seen those independent stretches get longer. She trusts that her instructor is there to support her, and that trust allows her to take small risks without fear.
She’s not afraid of falling. She’s simply learning technique.
And maybe the most important metric of all? She’s genuinely excited to go back each week.
That enthusiasm tells us we’re building a positive relationship with the sport — not just teaching a skill.
Cost, Gear & Accessibility
One of the reasons we felt comfortable committing to KinderSnow was how transparent and accessible the pricing felt — especially compared to many larger resorts.
At Manning Park, the KinderSnow Lesson is a private, one-hour session with one instructor per child. Depending on the date and time you book, lessons are typically around CA$79–$99 per hour for just the snowboard instruction itself.
If you want an all-in-one option that includes a full-day lift ticket and equipment rental (board, boots, helmet), the KinderSnow Package runs about CA$99–$119 per lesson day.
Compared to some other local mountains, this feels more approachable for private one-on-one learning — especially when private lessons elsewhere can cost significantly more per hour without rentals or lift tickets included. The inclusion of beginner access and the option to bundle gear also makes it helpful for families who are still deciding if gear purchases are worth it.
Lessons are available throughout the day (typically at multiple time slots like 9:00 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM) and are booked in advance online.
Rentals for snowboard gear are available on site, which makes bringing a fresh beginner into the sport more accessible if you don’t yet own boots and a board. And because Manning isn’t a large destination mountain with steep resort pricing, this combination of private instruction and optional package pricing feels like a reasonable way for families to try lessons without a huge upfront cost.
One Thing to Consider for Young Snowboarders
If I’m being completely transparent, there are currently more structured multi-session progression programs available for young skiers than snowboarders at Manning.
The KinderSki punch card and Bear Tracks ski program offer great continued development — but they’re geared toward skiers. For young snowboarders, the pathway isn’t quite as built out yet.
It’s not a deal breaker for us, but it is something worth noting. If your child skis, there are excellent options available.
Is KinderSnow Worth It?
Overall, our experience with KinderSnow at Manning Park has reinforced something important for us: confidence on snow isn’t built in a single lesson. It’s built over time, in an environment that feels safe, supported, and intentionally designed for beginners.
We’re still partway through the season, but already we can see the difference that repetition, patience, and the right hill can make.
If you’re considering lessons for your little one and wondering whether it’s worth the investment — especially if you can commit to multiple sessions — our answer is yes.
Because when it clicks, it’s not just about snowboarding. It’s about raising a mountain kid who believes they can figure things out.
Lap by lap.
