Snowboarding
Beginners
We
have many first time snowboarders keen to learn and experience the sensation
of boarding and there are some great slopes for those first few tentative
runs. We have to be honest, you will fall over quite a few times as you
learn to board, but there will be a point when it all clicks and suddenly
you can turn, stop and most importantly - not fall over! It's worth persevering.
and a Snowboard Weekend or Midweek is perfect for learning.
There is a small ski slope in St Jean de Sixt which is an ideal gradient for complete first timers to get a feel for the snowboards. Find your balance and understand the sensation of an edge on this quiet and gentle slope with a pull-lift.
Drag lifts are not good for snowboarders, but you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of chairlifts and telecabines (cable cars) which give you access to the slopes in La Clusaz and Grand Bornand. so if you wanted to, you could avoid drag lifts all weekend! Also - our ski team will be on hand to make sure you know where to go, what to take and what to expect. We were all beginners once!
Intermediate Boarders
Intermediate
boarders will be able to take advantage of the great conditions offered
in the Aravis Mountains, as well as checking out the snow parks in both
La Clusaz and Grand Bornand. La Clusaz has many linked areas, all of which
can be reached on snowboards. Try and avoid one or two flat green runs (we
can tell you where they are!) and you will be fine to explore the whole
region. Manigod and Merdassier provide another quieter area with many blue
runs through the trees which, although shorter in length, has a great choice
on consistently good snow conditions. There are chair lifts throughout the
areas, but a few smooth drags can also open up some new and quiet areas.
Grand Bornand provides some great chances to cruise on piste - but also has lots of easily accessible off piste. This is great in fresh snow and there are endless choices for cutting between runs and venturing off to the side. It's pretty safe and easy to find your way to the lifts and great for exploring and building your confidence off-piste.
After fresh snow La Balme offers some serious powder with a huge expanse of off-piste in the bowl, all accessible for intermediate boarders ready for some great conditions!
Advanced Boarders
La
Balme is the place to go for quality snowboarding terrain. The large sheltered
bowl is the highest point in La Clusaz with altitude of up to 2600m and
amazing views across to Mont Blanc. It gets the best snow in the resort
and because of the height and north-facing aspect it also keeps it very
well. There are a number of pisted runs, but the whole area is accessible
for off-piste riding and is full of natural features and terrain to play
on. jumps, cliffs, gullies. it has them all! The chair lift takes you up
to the top at 2,600m from which you can ride and explore right back down
to the valley floor.
The neighbouring Combe de Torchere is usually untouched and with a bit of walking you can access some great snow conditions and some exhilarating runs down this steep bowl. Other runs such as Fernuy are also a lot of fun in the fresh snow, so fingers crossed for some fresh dumps as you arrive.
Grand Bornand has some long steep red runs, as well as a couple of very challenging black runs. The top of Lachat (reached by a fast 6 person chair lift) provides access to Piste 2000 run which is a fabulous long red, looping all the way down to the village if required. Or take the more direct route off the side with a black run reserved for only the most competent (or crazy!) boarders. The choice of off-piste is good and it's all safe and accessible, so provides some good complementary options to the more advanced areas of La Clusaz.
We can advise you on the best routes, as well as arrange a guide for some real off-piste adventures. Snow-shoes are easily arranged if you fancy walking to find the best lines. Once again we have linked up with a local company offering extreme skiing/boarding and off-piste guiding in the Aravis mountains. Ideal for advanced boarders and good value for some unique backcountry and off-piste adventures.