Most people think that if you want to snowboard in the summer you have to head all the way down-under to NZ/ OZ, when really summer shred is nearer than you think. In some very lucky resorts in Europe, you can snowboard all year round (minus a few weeks during inter-season where nothing much happens at all). If you’re like me and you LOVE winter, but you LOVE summer too, this could actually be the perfect time of year to go snowboarding as you get the best of both seasons. Here is my guide to summer riding in Europe…
General Facts
Many resorts in Europe have a glacier area. This is high up in altitude which keeps snow on it all year round. It is generally smaller than the “winter resort” but still enough to keep you entertained in the summer months. Most glaciers will open from mid June to early September (ish). The quality/ amount of terrain available largely depends on what sort of winter they have had previously. Then normally the snow fall starts again early autumn ready for the next winter. Although, sometimes, you might be lucky enough to score some summer powder??! Now that IS what dreams are made of! The weather in general will be hotter and sunnier than in the winter, but as the same in all mountain resorts, it can also be very temperamental. And because of the warmer conditions, dare I say it, but sometimes rain can be on the agenda, as well as a lot of fog. As the glaciers are high-up the mountain, so the commute time can be longer than your winter commute to the snow. In some places this may also mean a bit of a drive. As it get so hot, the glaciers normally open early doors (7am) and most people head down again around lunch time. The snow can start off really hard and icy in the morning as the slush has frozen over night, then get very soft and slushy by 11am/12pm. As there is less terrain on offer, there are normally more in the way of terrain parks, freestyle and training courses. This attracts a lot of race teams, freestyle athletes and camps training in the off season.
Photo Credit – Dragon Alliance by James Bryant, Kaunertal
What’s it like?!
Summer riding is TOTALLY different to winter riding. I find it waaaaaay more laid back, in all aspects apart from the mega early mornings (no lazy winter mornings anymore!) Even though it attracts the more “hardcore riders” (i.e. ones that love it so much they want to do it in the summer), all the shredders on the mountain seem a lot more chilled. It’s kind of like the end-of-season relaxed vibe, but all summer long. I think the sun and the heat has something to do with putting everyone in a chipper mood. Riders wear less clothes (!!) and sunnies, and often lapping is HOT. You will find ditched coats/ thermals scattered everywhere. People tend to hike features a bit more and take slower laps and have more chats! Hard to really exert yourself in the heat. Even though there are way less people than in the winter, it can feel quite busy as they are all packed into a condensed area. So really think about what dates you go (look at when peak summer is/ training camps are on etc).
As the riding starts so early, you are normally back down the hill for midday and have the rest of the day left wide open to do things. This is normally filled with summer activities such as BBQs, hiking, lake swimming, watersports, sunbathing, drinking, picnicking. So it’s basically winter in the morning, and summer in the afternoon.
Places To Go
Hintertux
Is one of the extra lucky places that is actually open all year round. It’s located at the top of the Zillertal Valley, just up the road from Mayrhofen. Most people would stay down in Mayrhofen town (which is BEAUTIFUL in the summer), although you can stay in one of the villages closer to the glacier. It’s a drive up to the hill or there is a free bus that you can take. Compared to other summer glaciers, the ski area is pretty extensive, making it one of the most popular summer resorts in Europe. It has steep terrain and a really good freestyle park.
Kaunertal
This resort is “off the beaten track” – A crazy drive through cragged mountains with 29 corners on the way up. Not for those with a sensitive tummy. But it’s so worth the journey. The views are spectacular and the snowboarding is pretty ace too. An awesome terrain park and the mountain offers something for everyone, from beginner areas to hardcore off-pisters. Its the most snow-sure resort in Austria. The only thing is it is open September – June so mid summer you would have to find snow else where. Every year the British Snowboard Test (“Spring Break”) is held here. You can park for free in the car park and strap on your snowboard straight from there. You stay in the little village 1 hour down the mountain, and its such a quaint Austrian village. So peaceful and traditional you can really immerse yourself in the culture.
Tignes
The Tignes summer park is getting better and better each year and attracting more and more freestylers. There are also lots of runs for varying abilities. Its easily accessible which makes it very popular. Its only a 7 minute ride in the Funicular up to the Grande Motte Glacier, so you can just stay in Tignes itself. A lot of summer camps/ ski schools run here also. Most Tignes locals actually say they prefer Tignes in the summer as there is soooo much going on: ski ramps into the lake, SUP, climbing, waterspouts, tennis, BBQs, skating to name but a few. Also lots of lakes and beautiful picnic spots to hike to. Very family orientated.
Photo – James North Photo
Les Deux Alpes
This has one of the largest summer ski areas in Europe. Although it can get really busy during peak season with really long lift lines and lots of summer camps/ off season training. Again, you can just stay in Les Deux Alpes itself as its a short commute to the glacier on the Funicular train. It has a very impressive terrain park and more mellow runs than other glaciers, making it great for families/ beginners. Heaps of summer activities for your after shred afternoons. Mountain biking is HUGE here. They also have a very popular luge.
What To Pack
Similar to a winter holiday (i.e.: snowboard, boots, bindings) but with a few extras you may not think about:
- A coat/ shell for chilly mornings
- Sunnies (goggles can get really sweaty on your face)
- A summer hat with a peak
- Flip Flops
- Different Goggle Lenses for ALL conditions (if wearing goggles)
- Swimsuit
- Hiking Boots/ good walking shoes/ trainers
- Suncream (strong)
- Thin layers to strip off
- Shirts/ hoodies
- Thin gloves/ pipe gloves (some people don’t wear any at all but I like to!)
- Summer clothes for the afternoon
- Lots of snowboard socks (thin) as your feet get really wet in the slush
- Deodorant (it can get REALLY sweaty)
- A day bag to take up with you, places to store it nearby so you don’t have to carry it
- A water bottle- essential
Other Info
- Flights out to the mountains are a lot cheaper in the summer, but they don’t run as often, some only run on the weekends. So think about this when your organising your trip. Same for transfers from the airport.
- You might be quite used to applying suncream to your face when snowboarding, but don’t forget if you now have your arms/ neck/ hands/ shoulders out, to lather up these areas too.
- If you have got parts of your body out now because its so HOT, beware of ice-burn. It can be really painful if your bare skin drags across the snow. The friction can cause awful grazes.
- Whereas you might have stopped for lunch before on your winter trips, summer snowboarders tend to go up early and go-hard for a few hours, then head down for some lunch and hang up their (soggy) boots for the day.
- Also think about your wax for your snowboard, you will need to use a different one for summer conditions.
- Theres a “perfect window” (varies in each resort) where the snow isn’t too icy and isn’t too slushy. Make sure you make the most of this. It may only be an hour, but its the best hour!
Looking to progress your freestyle snowboarding this summer in Europe? Team GB Coach Corinne Mayhew & ex-pro snowboarder Katie Blundell are running one on the Tignes Glacier, France
* 8th-15th July 2018 – £799 inclusive *
Summer shred, expert freestyle tuition/ mentoring, Nikita goodie bags, yoga sessions, water-sports, flat land training, BBQ, picnic, hike, relaxation in Le Lagoon, evening fun……are all on the agenda. The best part is, you get to do it all with a fun group of like-minded girls.
Contact Corinne or Katie for any further information or to BOOK YOUR SPOT:
[email protected] // +33615187407
[email protected] // 07907 161696
If you can’t get out to Europe, you can always hit up a Snow Dome for a summer shred instead. I’ll be doing a guide to these next…
Happy Summer Shredding!