We are spending spring break in Lake Tahoe with our sons 7 and 9. They have been skiing since they were 2 and 3. This year, they want to try snowboarding. We are staying in south Lake Tahoe but plan to ski at several areas.

Which Lake Tahoe ski resort would be the best place to send them to snowboard school? I am thinking a smaller area like Sierra at Tahoe might be better but perhaps the bigger areas such as Heavenly or Squaw have better ski/snowboard schools. Any recommendations? Thanks!

any snowboarders out there?

Squaw would probably be fine, as would Northstar, but both are a long way from the south shore.

It is hard to generalize; when my kids were doing this, the quality didn't seem to correspond to the size of the resort. I can remember only one that I thought was poor ... Dodge Ridge would make a big deal about their childrens programs, but the time we tried them, they were overcrowded and understaffed.

Kirkwood, Sierra, and Northstar are good areas for family skiing/snowboarding, because they don't sprawl so much and it is easier to keep in touch.

Just FYI, my 15 yo is a snowboarder and he just got back from a trip to Sierra. He said it is really a ski resort and less of a snowboard place. For snowboarding Boreal is good but that's nowhere near south shore. He said Northstar is good for both skiing and snowboarding but again not near enough to south shore. Heavenly has lessons for all skill levels and full and half day. I'd try that before driving to Squaw or Northstar from south shore.

Here's a link:
http://www.skiheavenly.com/ski_ride_..._clinics/kids/

Thank you everybody!

Sierra at Tahoe is a place that is definitely into families. They have a great snowboarding school and special runs set up for snowboarders. They are also a little cheaper than Heavenly or Squaw. While my kids liked it for snowboarding, I now avoid Sierra because there are so many snowboarders.

Check out their web site
http://sierraattahoe.com/index.asp

That is so funny Travelermebe. My son was there on Monday and said it was really a ski place. As he is a snowboarder he said there were too many skiers!!!!

We just got back from Tahoe last night. Lots of snowboarders and families at Diamond Peak in Incline Village where we were. It's less than a half hour drive from the South Shore.
http://www.diamondpeak.com/conditions/