Brundage Mountain has ALWAYS been a family-oriented ski area, and that means we see lots of kids on the slopes. Many of those kids are surprisingly skilled on skis and snowboards.

This season, I’ve started to notice just how little some of those highly proficient kids really are. One of the first to catch my attention was this snowboarder. He’s probably 4 and a half.

Any snowboard instructor will tell you that most children don’t have the muscle strength to maneuver a snowboard until they’re at least 6 years old.

That’s why I was questioning this instructor’s judgment when I saw this cute little guy up on the summit at 7,640 feet. I thought for sure he was getting in over his head having this little tyke at the top of the mountain. But once he let loose, I quickly realized just how wrong I was!  This guy was all smiles as he pointed his tiny snowboard down Main Street and took off with confidence. (I wish now that I’d asked his name).

He was so comfortable up there, he didn’t even slow down to wave and flash me a smile.

I was pretty inspired that this little ripper was already an all-mountain  rider, but I have to admit that the REALLY little rippers down on Easy Street can be even more impressive and more entertaining.

This tiny little guy in the oversized gear is 18 month old Cooper. He’s been entertaining the folks on Easy Street all season long. His attention span can be even shorter than he is, but when he’s on it, Cooper charges that lift line and laps the bunny hill.

No only is Cooper swimming in his mittens and snow pants, but his boots are a little too big, too. Sometimes, when he crashes, his boots will still be attached to his skis while his little foot is waving around in the air. That’s a yard sale!

And Cooper isn’t alone. Camas, also about 18 months, is a regular fixture on Easy Street.

Her parents were able to find a little tiny helmet for her.

Teaching a child at that age does require some extra hand holding, to be sure.

Or, in Camas’ case, an extra set of hands ready to ‘catch’ her when she gets rippin.

Rylan started skiing when he was 18 months old. These photos were taken at the 20 month mark.

He may still be sporting the edgy-wedgy, but just try to catch him now!

He’s all smiles on this run!!! Not every kid has the muscle control to reach this stage at this age, and not every parent has the patience to put in so much toddler time on Easy Street.

But you can’t argue, the sooner they start, the sooner they’ll be ready to roll and in command as all-mountain skiers…just like this little ripper I caught on camera not-so-patiently waiting for the parents to catch up.

– April