Snowboarding Holidays

For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere the winter months are upon us. For many of us, the arrival of shorter daylight hours will hopefully signal the start of more than adequate snowfall which will blanket the mountains with waist-high powder.

Yes, it’s that time of year again…..snowboarding season! Many of us are not fortunate enough to live in a mountain town or within a relatively close proximity to one and must begin preparations for what may be an annual trip.

If you’re like me, you may enjoy visiting different resorts each season and sampling new terrain as well as getting a sense of the local snowboarding culture.

Most resorts are slated to open operations late-November through mid-December and snowboarding holiday planning can never begin too early.

Holiday makers should begin with a short list of potential locations/ski resorts of interest. Most large resorts offer fully comprehensive vacation packages including transportation, accommodations, lift tickets, equipment rentals as well as off-mountain entertainment but also provide a la carte services for those who may not require a full-service package.

Depending on where you would like to travel, the frugal snowboarder can find deep discounts on everything from accommodations to lift tickets. The key to finding discounts is booking early. Many resorts offer deep discounts for reservations booked online prior to a certain date. When visiting a resort’s website look for “web specials.”

Depending on where you plan your trip will determine what type of services are available. For instance, holiday planning can differ greatly between snowboarding trips in North America and Europe. Most European resorts offer accommodations with full or half board and may require public transportation or car ride to the lifts.

Many industry publications develop annual top ten lists for the best snowboarding resorts in North American and Europe. Depending on what type of riding you do or what type of terrain you’d like to ride the resort options are vast and varied.

For many snowboarders, a one or two week holiday in an alpine town surrounded by nature can be a rewarding and needed break from our daily routine.

Remember when selecting your next snowboarding holiday begin researching early to find the best rates and best of luck finding that secret powder stash!