Snowboarding Holidays

Authour: Chris Wensak

Imagine fresh powder on a crowdless mountain with low avalanche danger and a good group of friends. After tracking out the mountain, you then head to the snow park to throw down some crazy 'cab 900's' or to the half pipe to show off your best 'McTwist' skills. Then it's on to the bar for some fantastic apres ski before heading back to your 4 star chalet and a relaxing soak in the hot tub.
 
This is the dream on all snowboarding holidays and one that can can come true, but how do you get it?
 
Even if you are first timer or a weathered member of the 'old school' you may have to accept that some parts of the dream snowboarding holiday maybe out of your hands. For example the weather may close in or your back might not allow you to hit the triple black kicker, however if you focus on enjoying the simple things, then your holiday can be a dream come true.
 
Snowboarding is about the experience of being up on a mountain. It may be too hot or too cold, there may be too much snow or not enough and rocks may be tearing chunks out of your brand new 'Burton’'. It could be that one or two of the stars on your chalet/hotel have been fabricated by over enthusiastic tour operators, but if you can forget about all the things that might be wrong and remember what is right, your spirits can lift and treasured memories and fun times can be had.
 
Stand on the highest peak you dare and feel on top of the world with the Alps or the Rockies rising and falling around you for as far as you can see. Feel the adrenaline rush of pushing yourself to the limit, your eyes watering as you speed down the slopes. Your first turn… your first bit of off piste… your first little jump or your first big cliff drop.
 
Having a smile on your face at the end of your trip regardless is what makes the dream the perfect snowboarding holiday and even if you didn't get all that you hoped for on the holiday, well there is always the next time.
 
If you want a head start in getting the perfect snowboard holiday then you have two options, Europe or North America.
 
For Europe try Val D'Isere, with the DC Park and a huge ski area with good links to Tignes it is hard to beat. It has a wide range of accommodations from the budget Hotel Les Cretes Blanch to the 5 star Chalet Le Chardon. It has some of the best apres ski and nightlife with the best being the Folie Douce for apres ski and the legendary Dicks T-Bar for late night shenanigans.
 
For North America it's a toss up between Whistler in Canada and Breckenridge in the United States of America. Both have amazing snow parks that will blow the European efforts out of the water. These resorts possibly have the best snow in the world and without the European crowds clogging up the pistes it has to be the No.1 destination for 'powder hounds'. In Whistler try the Blackcomb Lodge for those on a budget or The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel for those of finer tastes. In Breckenridge try the Wayside Inn for budget accommodation or the Beaver Run Resort for the top of the pops.