Getting back on your snowboard can prove a little tricky

I’ve been snowboarding on 2 or 3 separate occasions. After the last time I felt like I was just getting to the stage where I was comfortable on the board, that was four years ago.

When a snow press trip came along I was extremely excited to get the opportunity to return to Chamonix in France to improve my boarding skills. The trip itself was organised by Travelllll.com and sponsored by expedia.co.uk.

Prior to the trip we’d had chance to experiment with Expedia’s snow companion facebook app to plan and organise our ski holiday. It was a useful tool for organising a group and for voting on the best accommodation options.

Getting Back on a Snowboard

It can actually be quite daunting, getting back on the snow after a long break. Kids whiz by expertly carving up the snow whilst you struggle to adjust your bindings without falling over. It can make you feel like you’ve lost all ability, but rest assured those skills you learnt last time will be back with you in no time at all.

I was also a little nervous about facing some of the narrow runs at Chamonix and was looking forward to hitting a few blues to get back into the swing of things. At first it can feel a little alien to be strapped into a snowboard, but after a run or two you’ll remember all those skills you learnt along the way.

The Right Snowboarding gear

It's a good idea to hire a helmet

Equipment wise, I’d brought my own jacket, trousers, gloves and goggles. I hired boots, board (with bindings) from Intersport in Argentiere and it cost 144 Euros including insurance. As a beginner or someone getting back into snowboarding you’re likely to be relying on renting most of the equipment but if you can bring the basics such as trousers, jacket, gloves and googles it should save you some cash.

One thing that I should have had early on was proper ski socks. After a few hours boarding your ankles can be pretty sore if you haven’t got any. A helmet is also something you should strongly consider before throwing yourself down any slopes, often some of the worst falls and accidents can happen when you’re inexperienced.

The Right Location – Argentiere Apartment

We were staying at Residence Le Cristal d’Argentiere in Argentiere which was five minutes walk from Grandes Montets cable car. Our apartment was pretty cosy but had pretty much what we needed, a small kitchen, balcony and five beds. Unfortunately there was no wi-fi in the apartment only in the reception area. The accommodation had a heated pool, spa facilities, pool table and being based in Argentiere meant that there were quite a few shops, restaurants and bars.

Argentiere can be a great location for beginners with it’s close proximity to Grandes Montets ski area as well as the beginners slope at Les Chosalets which is a great place to build up confidence and to learn the basics.

Taking A Break For Snowboarding

The summit of Aiguille Du Midi View, Chamonix

Having the opportunity to spend six days in Chamonix meant that we had the chance to explore the numerous ski areas. Chamonix has six ski areas but also offers four main attractions for visitors such as France’s largest glacier, cog railway ride offering panoramic views of the Bionnassay glacier and the valleys of Chamonix and Contamines. It’s a beautiful setting, bordering France, Italy and Switzerland. For an intermediate snowboarder there are plenty of options and interesting ski areas, one of my favourite being Les Houches.

Don’t feel the pressure to be pushing yourself all day after all you’re only just getting back into the sport. Take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery put your feet up and have a cold drink in the sun.

I’d recommend having a break from snowboarding for a day if you are staying for 5-6 days as you can quickly suffer fatigue that will effect your skills on the board.  Although you’ll be tempted to use all your allocated days on the slopes, it’s a great opportunity to see what else is on offer in the local area.

Chamonix itself has plenty of non ski or snowboarding attractions including a superb view of the France, Switzerland and Italy from the summit of Aiguille du Midi as well as a close up look at Mont Blanc.

Hitting The Right Slopes

Chamonix has plenty of options for beginners or for those that need to refresh their skills after a long break. Their are beginners slopes at the ski areas, Le Tour, Les Grands Montets, Les Planards, Vallorcine, Brevent and Les Houches.

Also see our article on the best snowboarding runs for beginners and intermediates in Chamonix.

Nightlife and Eating Out

After a long break from snow sports you can easily forget how expensive it can usually be. Ski resorts are notoriously on the pricey side and Chamonix is no exception. Our self catering accommodation gave us the flexibility to cook for ourselves or to venture out to a restaurant.

If you are in self catering accommodation it’s worth stocking up at the local supermarket at the beginning of the week in order ensure you don’t blow your budget.

A winter snowboarding trip can be a great holiday with friends or family. It’s a great way to have a fun break whilst getting exercise and some fresh mountain air. With the right gear, preparation, accommodation and tackling the right slopes you’ll be pushing your snowboarding skills to the next level in no time.