Best Resorts for Snowboarders
Choosing the right destination when booking a holiday in the mountains is rarely an easy task, but it’s even more important for snowboarders than it is for skiers!
The best resorts for snowboarders have long, wide runs, deep powder and snowparks with big jumps. If you choose a resort with lots of shallow slopes and flat areas as a snowboarder, you’ll be in for a difficult time. Resorts with a lot of drag lifts and T-bars are also a nightmare for those on boards. Some resorts in the USA have even banned snowboards altogether!
Thankfully, many European ski resorts have embraced boarders. The best snowboarding resorts have areas where the mountain facilities have been designed for both skiers and boarders, and local businesses have got ‘on-board’ as well!
Best European Resorts for Snowboarding
Avoriaz
Avoriaz is considered the ‘Snowboard capital of Europe’ and is a favourite with many professional British snowboarders. There is plenty of good places for beginners to find their feet, as well as excellent freeriding and tree-lined runs. For the experts, there’s 8 snow parks, and two half-pipes (one of which is a superpipe). Avoriaz has welcomed snowboarders from the start and was one of the first resorts to have a snowboarding-only area. Connected to the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, there’s plenty of terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike, and the region has one of the most even splits between the two!
Saas-Fee
Search Hotels in Saas-FeeSaas-Fee is an excellent resort for snowboarders. Like Avoriaz, the resort has been welcoming them from the start and has many board-friendly facilities. There are a large number of easy blues and reds, and several great ski schools, so it’s the perfect resort for your first few days on a board. Alongside the pretty resort and year-round snow, there’s also a huge snowpark to keep advanced boarders entertained. Saas-Fee is also the home of the British snowboarding team for much of the year!
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is a hugely popular resort with professionals and is known for being one of the best all-round snowboarding parks in Europe. The famous Vans Penken Park is accessed by its own lift and it even has a dedicated mountain bar. There are 11 kickers, 34 boxes and a 5 in 1 rail ride, and even a dedicated kids zone for younger boarders. There’s also an amazing apres-ski and nightlife scene here for those who like to party!
Val Thorens
Search Chalets in Val ThorensVal Thorens is connected to the vast Three Valleys ski area, along with Meribel and Courchevel. The size of the area means there are great slopes for all abilities, a snowpark and great nightlife options too. It’s a fantastic resort for all the skiers and snowboarders in your group.
Davos
The Jakobshorn mountain in Davos is a paradise for snowboarders, with 2 half-pipes and the JatzPark terrain park (think massive kickers and rails) at the top of the mountain. There are fantastic pistes for beginners and experts alike. The area is particularly good for free-riders, as there is no resident British “ski-bum” population here, so the fresh powder can remain untracked for days!
St Anton
Search Chalets in St AntonSt Anton would be an amazing, all-round winter sports resort if it had a few more beginner-friendly slopes. There are still a few good spots for those less confident on their boards, but intermediates and experts will be happiest here. There is plenty of incredible off-piste and freeride areas. On Rendl mountain, the STANTON park has 4 lines from fun to pro, overlooked by the Rendl Beach café and bar. Sit here and enjoy the sunshine with a corona whilst sussing out the competition! A holiday in St Anton wouldn’t be complete without a few days enjoying the amazing apres-ski scene.
Tignes
Tignes and neighbouring Val d’Isere are favourites with British snowboarders and skiers. The huge ski area means there is a wide variety of terrain for everyone to enjoy, and plenty of off-piste areas for those who want it, not to mention fantastic apres-ski! It’s a snow-sure area thanks to its altitude and two glaciers. There’s a good park in Tignes, and plenty of specialist snowboard schools and hire shops to browse. The resort also hosts the European X-Games.
Other European Resorts that a great for snowboarders:
1) Laax/Flims
2) Ischgl
3) Chamonix
4) Les Deux Alpes
5) La Rosiere
There can be a lot to consider when booking a holiday, especially if your group is a mix of skiers and snowboarders and abilities. Our team are experts at organising ski holidays, and a number of our team are keen snowboarders themselves. Call us on +44 (0)20 7801 1080 and we can find the perfect resort, and perfect accommodation, for you!
