Shredder Play and Ski Gym, 5541 Central Ave., Suite 105, Boulder, 303-396-1754,

Instructor: Brooks Crosby, of Louisville, is the owner of Shredder Ski and Play. He was a ski racer in Minnesota for 10 years and owned a gymnastics program for kids. He has been skiing since he was 21/2.

What is the workout? Shredder is an indoor gym where kids can learn to ski and practice foundational skills year round. Shredder uses real equipment on artificial slopes.

Crosby got the idea for Shredder when he was teaching his own children how to ski. He wanted to complement the lessons on the slopes; if the kids were more confident with the basics -- from putting on gear to proper positioning of the upper body to step-sliding up the mountain to simply being confident while going downhill -- then the instructors could focus more on improving technique, and the kids would progress faster.

Plus, kids can learn the foundations quicker when they are not worried about the elements, puffy layers of clothes and crowds.

Shredder opened July 2012.

The class spanned three areas: a game room (full of mats, balls, mazes), where they warmed up; a technique lesson, where they practiced balancing, reaching and moving in the gear; and several different-sized "hills." They started on a smaller hill (including walking up the slope) and progressed to a steeper hill. As kids progress, they practice turning, stopping, falling safely, skiing on one leg and even skiing backward.

What's different: No snow. That's a pretty big difference.

What does it cost? Try an intro class for $15. After that, it's $20 a class. I recommend signing up for an 11-week session (the next one starts Jan. 6), although drop-ins are welcome, if there's space. There's also a $5 registration fee and equipment rental, if you need it, is $5.

When: There are many classes throughout the week and weekends. Check the schedule online.

Classes are offered year-round. Kids can rent out the gym for private parties and also sign up for various camps.

Level: The classes are for kids age 21/2 to 6 and 7 to 12, both boys and girls. Shredder also offers snowboarding and tricks/aerial classes.

Class size is limited to nine (three kids per instructor). My daughter's class had six kids and two instructors.

I brought my 3-year-old daughter, Bettie, who went into the class not even knowing what skiing was. By the end, she had skied down the steepest hill all by herself and didn't fall. She was nervous, but when she did it, her confidence hit the roof.

What to prepare: Comfortable clothes. We borrowed boots and skis, but most participants use their own. Bring water and a snack, but then again, you already do that if you're a parent.

Muscles worked: Full body, coordination, balance, leg, foot and core strength, the brain -- what doesn't get challenged when you're skiing? The class is an hour long, which also builds endurance. By the end of class, my daughter was a pile of mashed potatoes.

What I loved: Confession: I'm a Colorado native, yet I've never been skiing. The reason: I hate the cold and refused to go as a child. I wonder how my life would have been different if I'd first developed a love for skiing indoors, like this; I probably would have wanted to try the slopes. Introducing my daughter to skiing like this made me feel like a proper Colorado mama doing her duty. And it felt redeeming.

I also love the idea of families skiing together. As Crosby says, skiing is one of the few sports that every family member can enjoy together. Families plan whole vacations around skiing. Plus, it's great exercise.

My daughter was so tired after lugging around those heavy boots for an hour that she fell asleep in the car. My daughter doesn't do that thing called "sleeping." She has fallen asleep only by accident a handful of times since birth.

Mama was so happy. And the car was so quiet. Simple pleasures.

What I didn't like: I asked Bettie what she didn't like about the class and she said, "Not a thing!" We'll go with that.

How I felt after the class: Weeks after class, my daughter is still talking about how she skied by herself. It left a big impression on her confidence.

-- Reported by Aimee Heckel.

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