[red-beard]

You have a lot invested in his gear? An 8 year will out grow his gear in just about the same time he out grows his shoes. Every year.

Snowboards come in fewer sizes and are designed for weight ranges. So he can start with a 4 series board, move up to a 5 series in 3 years and hopefully end up on a 6 as a late teen ager. The only thing you will change yearly are boots.

Snowboarding is very difficult for the first couple of times out, but then then the learning curve becomes much easier. Skiing is easier out the gate, but the learning curve to become an expert is much harder.

I can still ski, but I prefer snowboarding. I switched when I was 26, 14 years ago...

If you want him to learn quickly, get him into lessons with a good instructor. Semi-private are best. Giant group lessons are no good. 2-4 people is nearly ideal. If you can, interview the instructors and find out the ones with teaching ability.