The end of the winter season here in Morzine, Avoriaz, and Les Gets, is in here. The mountain air is getting warmer, the snow is melting, and the goggle tans are in full effect.
And whilst we’re all looking forward to a little R&R at the end of an awesome, busy winter, we’re always thinking of the next opportunity to strap back in, and go riding.
Our friends and clients often ask how to get a snowboard fix during the long summers. So, we’ve prepared a little guide on how to make it through the warmer weather, as a snowboard addict.
Get to a glacier, stat!
Some of Europe’s higher resorts offer summer shredding on their glaciers. Because they’re so high up, usually above 2,500m, they benefit from cooler temperatures, so the snow remains in workable conditions year round.
Whilst these ski areas are fairly limited in size, they’re generally well groomed and cared for, and tend to provide brilliant snow parks for those looking to train during the off season – awesome!
Our favourite European glaciers
Stubai, Austria
Boasting one of the most famous snow parks in Europe, Stubai is also home to over 62km of piste – so you can spend the whole day riding without doubling back on yourself. A rarity for summer shredding.
https://www.stubaier-gletscher.com/
Dates: until mid-June, 8:30am to 4pm
Prices: One day €40, six days €190.40
Hintertux, Austria
Hintertux has an extensive ski area for your summer shred, and for those of you looking for some serious air-time, there’s even a 120m superpipe.
https://www.hintertuxergletscher.at/en/home/
Dates: May 12 to October 12, 8.15am to 4.30pm
Prices: One day €45, six days €215
Tignes, France
There’s good reason we take our Summer Camp to Tignes every year, with a well-shaped snow park and plenty of piste for progressive coaching, you’re hard pressed to find better snow in the summer.
https://www.tignes.net/
Dates: June 23 to August 5, 7.15am to 1.00pm
Prices: One day €25, six days €150
Les Deux Alpes, France
Served by 17 lifts, the Les Deux Alpes glacier offers 11 runs and a monster freestyle zone with two pipes (super and half), hips, rails, boxes, big air kickers, and a beginner area.
https://www.les2alpes.com/en/
Dates: June 23 to August 26, 7:15am to 12.30pm
Prices: One day €40.10, six days €200.50
Saas Fee, Switzerland
High up in the swiss alps is the Saas Fee Allalin glacier, with a double line of kickers in the snow park and enough features to keep even the keenest freestyle rider entertained.
https://www.saas-fee.ch/
Dates: July 14 to October 31, 7/8am to 12/3pm, depending on the date
Prices: One day 84CHF, six days 505CHF
REAL Snowboarding Summer Camp
Sound like fun? Keen for your summer fix? Why not join the REAL Snowboarding Summer Camp, and let us organise it all for you?
We takeover Tignes for the entire month of July to bring you snowboard addicts an awesome week of riding progression. It’s truly one of the highlights of our year.
We run one week for kids, one week for adults, and technical training weeks for specialist coaching.
We get up in the morning and enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading up to the glacier with the crew to throw down in the snow park, with your dedicated REAL Snowboarding instructors delivering world class freestyle coaching.
Then, in the lazy heat of the afternoon, enjoy a range of outdoor activities like mountain biking, skating, and trampoline training, or just send it into the (very) refreshing lake off the big air slide.
The entire week is built around bettering your snowboarding, with accommodation and tasty food included.
For more information, and to see exactly what goes on, head over here.
Book your place on the REAL Snowboarding Summer Camp now, and learn to ride the REAL way this summer.
Simple instruction. Stylish snowboarding.
Book your place on the REAL Summer Camp today: hello@realsnowboarding.co.uk
Photo credit: @samuelmcahon