Summertime Shredding
Why hang up your snowboard boots when there is still a tonne of shredding to be had over the summer months. Admittedly you’ll be heading high in search of the snow but with dozens of glacial resorts open throughout summer you could be surprised with what you might find.
What’s more the majority of resorts will really push the boat out when it comes to snow parks, so if freestyle is your thing you’re in luck. Park lines featuring kickers, rails, boxes, hips and half pipes can dominate the glaciers and with freestyle camps and coaching running at most. It’s the perfect opportunity to hone your freestyle technique.
Riding days may be a little shorter than in winter with some glaciers closing the lifts around lunchtime. However this frees up your afternoon for making the most of what summer in the mountains has to offer. Mountain biking, swimming, golf, trekking, BBQ's or just chilling by a lake or pool can happily fill your afternoons. Check out our picks of some of the best summer resorts and snowboard camps.
Hintertux - Austria
Staying in the town of Hintertux means that access to the lift system is quick and easy. Once on the hill you’ll be greeted with over 60km of varied piste and terrain suitable for all levels or snowboarders. Betterpark Hintertux sits at over 3000m and with a huge selection of features many rate it one of the best summer snow parks in Europe. The snow park consists of 5 freestyle lines (Pro line, medium line, easy line and two jib lines) and is groomed daily by a dedicated park team to keep it in great condition. Due to the altitude of the glacier and ski area you’ll also be able to happily ride until 4.15 pm!
LesDuexAlpes - France
Up on the glacier ski area you’ll be able to explore a total of 11 runs and shred a huge park area complete with a superpipe and a slightly more mellow halfpipe. There is also a varied selection of kicker lines, boxes, rails and jibs to destroy. If you buy a ski lift pass for more than two days you’ll also get access to a massive amount of mountain bike trails on offer plus free entry to the swimming pool and tennis courts.
Tignes - France
To access the Grande Motte ski area you’ll need to ride the funicular up from Val Claret. 20km of piste will greet you with a well featured terrain park and corduroy groomed pistes. A dozen lifts service the area and with a peak of 3,456m you’ll be guaranteed snowy runs late into the summer season. Lifts close at 1pm but you’ll be able to fill your afternoon with mountain activities or just hanging out by the lake. If you are looking for a rad place to stay then look no further than our friends at The Dragon Lodge.
High Cascade Snowboard Camp - Mt Hood, America
High Cascade run one of the best snowboard camps on the planet. Howevertomakethe most of their private parks and facilities at Mt Hood you’ll need to sign up to their specific snowboard camp (not cheap at around $2000). If you do though you’ll get access to some of the best facilities and advice around. On the glacier the HCSC park area is over a mile long and features terrain for snowboarders of all abilities: beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert are all catered for. Plus with some of the world’s best pros attending you can rub shoulders with snowboard royalty.
Whistler - Canada
Whistler boast one of the longest ski season in North America. Head up to the Horstman glacier on the Blackcomb side of the resort and you’ll bear witness one of the best shaped summer snow parks. However like Mt Hood to make the most of the features you will need to be signed up to one of the specific camps the resort offer. That being said the beauty of a summer visit to Whistler is not only the first rate park features, there are tonnes of other amazing activities available, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, bear watching, rock climbing and horse riding are just a few of activities that will fill your day when not shredding.