Invented in Hawaii in the 15th century, snowboard consists of gliding, the feet joined on a board, on a ski slope. You keep yourself standing and directs the board with your back foot, generally the right foot or if you’re a lefty, left foot. The sport has evolved in a more technical view proposing freestyle variants, freeride and competitions. Nicknamed surf on snow, it unites the requirements for skateboard and the ski sensations.
This sport can be practiced well by beginners and experienced, the young ones and the old ones. Many snowboarders begin very young, from 6 or 7 years: there are also competitions for those who desire. The principal requirement for practicing this sport is to stay master of one’s own equilibrium and thus, the board. For the rest it is enough to have fun! Decent on a rail, parkour of bumps, slaloms and acrobatic figures: training well and protecting well is indispensable to discover all the thrills of this sport that is accessible for all!
Without a board, no snowboard. You will have to choose the snowboard variant that you want to practice: boardercross, alpine, freeride or freestyle. If you are starting, it’s very simple, we recommend to choose between freestyle and All Mountain. The latter is very directional and allows you to familiarize with this type of sport before imaging all kinds of movements in the air. Regarding length, an All Mountain must be around 10 to 20 cm shorter than your length. We did not forget the hulls on the board (fixations) to keep your shoes firm on the board.
Like for all winter sports, boots need to be chosen with care, generally half a size bigger to benefit from comfort. Beginners choose flexible boots: to be at ease when learning. Experienced, rigid boots that optimize your board control and give more technical glides.
It is not a snowboarder who wants it: it takes a lot of practice and training before reaching a good level in snowboarding, which is synonymous with many falls. They are part of the charm of this sport of gliding, but must be anticipated to avoid any disappointment.
Helmet
All beginners must wear a helmet for security reasons, but this is also the case for freestyle lovers. This winter sport is by far the most reckless of alpine skiing: be sure to choose your helmet with good ventilation to avoid feeling humid.
Mask
Snowboard is essentially done during the day: you will thus have from time to time, the sun in your eyes without taking the reflection on the slopes into account! It is thus preferable to wear a mask with a high UV index.
Protecting the body
Kneepads and elbow protection are highly recommended for the daredevils between us. They are a supplementary protection in case of a fall.
In France, the majority of ski slopes dispose of one or more snow park(s) to practice this magnificent sport, to relax or to win. Some resorts are better equipped than others!
First resort to have dedicated installations for snowboard, Avoriaz is a reference in the field and that is why it welcomes the World Champions in Snowboard. The resort provides two suitable parks to discover and perfect in this sport thanks to kicks, rails and freestyle spaces. The off-piste in Avoriaz possibly delights the most experienced snowboarders, greedy to glide on the immaculate paths!
In the Tarentaise valley, Meribel offers access to the biggest ski areas that of the Three Valleys: great for snowboard lovers that can also profit from two snow parks polyvalent to the resort, adapted for freeriders and freestylers. Other infrastructures like the super pipe for competition, numerous rails and kickers are supplementary reasons to go riding in Meribel.
Between its renowned snowboard schools and professionals evaluating the slopes, Peyragudes is a great resort to snowboard. The resort welcomes big competitions and notably the Kids National Tour for those younger than 15 years. The modernity of its equipment and its 51 slopes oriented East-West are ideal for intensive snowboard.
At the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix welcomes the champions of France and of the Freeride World Tour, and disposes of a spectacular playground for thrill lovers. The 20 km descent of Vallee Blanche and its 4 ski domains are suitable for snowboard with the resort’s professional school.
If the resort is destined today to welcome freeriders more than snowboarders, its infrastructures are always perfect for these, came to seek the great thrill. The Oursiere sector is the most prized for descending because of its fun bumps. The resort welcomes Champions of France of snowboard.
