Snowboarding

I think there are 'camp' type things where there's a bit of group that you just meet out there but think they're more learning based, a friend did a freestyle ski one for example. Not sure much about the logistics, whether there was a room and food included or if it was basically just daily lessons, but I seem to recall he mentioned they'd eat together and they went to trampoline parks and yoga and stuff in the evenings if I remember correctly. Was out of season in a glacier resort as well I think.

A friend of a friend in the group I board with has done quite a few of these sort of solo training camps. But he's significantly better than all of the rest of us so the camps tend to be quite advanced and specific ie a week in the park or a week in the back and beyond. I do know that they tend to be very much boarding and progression focused vs club 18-30 on snow so they might suit your objective nicely.

I can ask him if there are any intermediate friendly options and for his recommendations though if you like. I assume you have your basic control/turns sorted?

Thanks both,
yes @yetidamo I do and any recommended names would be great

Mint Snowboarding run beginner, freestyle and technical camps. Good fun and pretty reasonable. Morzine based.

I learnt at Bankso, in Bulgaria. Cheap(ish) destination, great layout for learning, (few button lifts, lots of long wide blues) and cheap beer to help ease the bruised arse.

I went to Stryn Freestyle Snowboard Camp in Norway. In June, leaving my GCSEs early to get the flight. It was really, really fun though.

Try

https://www.ucpa.co.uk/

I was in the same position a few years ago and ended up joining this lot https://snowheads.com/

In fact I am the OP on this thread https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=133474

They are mainly skiers (and mainly middle-aged, including me) but there's a handful of boarders including some other lfgssers... who I won't out, but might reply for themselves ;)

It's not set up for tuition or anything, though certainly ok to arrange lessons if you are on a trip. The main benefit is you are completely fine to just book as an individual and you are made welcome to join in with others when you get there, plus with the attached forum there's continuity and community.

Before then, a few times when I couldn't find anyone to go with I stayed solo with https://www.pleisure.co.uk/ - they are snowboard specific accommodation and (at least back in the day) the staff and other guests would usually be happy to pick up the odd waif and stray.

I have heard good things about Mint https://mintsnowboarding.com/ and Avoriaz/Morzine is a great area - I spoke to them a few years ago about doing a few days out of one of their week courses while I had a few days before my friends came out but ended up with an independent who would tailor for just the days I need.

I've also had holidays where I'm with skiers but want to focus on boarding and do fun boardy things so I've hired a private snowboard instructor/guide for a few days and basically said "I want a mixture of tips, a few drills and just some fun riding around - like a few days with a mate who is a lot better then me". $$$ obviously, but I take the view that it's $$$$$ to be there in the first place so I'd rather spend a bit more to make the most of it.

thanks for these other suggestions - going on an internet deep dive
UCPA was what I was trying to find I think - @ChainBreaker - have you been on CPA breaks? Are they halfway between a hostel and an alpine mountain hut?

I did a trip with them and will do so again.

It was a long time ago though but I was in a catered buffet shared room. It was cheap. It was cheerful. It included passes and a school.

Not sure alpine mountain hut style though.

But it was loads of fun.

Sorry for the slow reply, work got in the way. But I've had a quick reply from my pal. He and our more experienced acquaintance have both used these guys for more piste based camps:

https://onyxsnowboarding.com/winter-snowboard-camps/

He reckons that they're exactly what you've said you want. Give them a bell to talk through what you're after and they'll be able to make recommendations.

He added that if you want the best possible experience look for something similar in Canada or the US, but in my opinion you'll have the time of your life in PdS area. Still pricey but not trans Atlantic pricey.

I've not had a lesson in about 28 years, but have a 2 hour private lesson with my brother in a week's time to assess any bad habits we have. It's with Mint and my daughter is having a week of lessons with them too. So I'll be able to comment on them with first hand experience soon.

Our group has also used Pleisure in Morzine in the past and we've had several situations where rando solo guests in our chalet have tagged along with us for the week.

Whatever you do, do it. Riding in the mountains is very different (infinitely better) than any snow dome. 👌

Pleisure in Courchevel

You're right. It's Riders Refuge we've used in Morzine init. Ta.

Another Snowheads fan here (Hi @brokenbetty !).

UCPA is also greats. They can include lessons, kit, food and skipass for a very reasonable price. Their UK provider is Action Outdoors.

Season has started. A nice 4* days in Switzerland to see @Redmuska with a few others. 30cm of snow over the first 24hrs for some nice powder followed by everything from white-out to bluebird :-D

*it was actually 5 in the end as a few cm of snow at Gatwick meant a cancelled flight home. Anyone have experience of a compensation and expenses claim with BA?

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This made me so envious I'm now googling cheeky weekends.

Experienced BA cancellations a few years back. My buddy sorted the compensation for the group, it took several months but it came

That's good to hear thanks.

If you are London (ish) based, a sleeper train to Briancon or Ax 3 Domaines is a really good use of time. Sleep Thursday or Friday night on the train, wake up in time for first lifts!

Trip Report from one I did a few years ago:

https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=3528841

Thanks. Realistically highly unlikely this season, but next year - oh yes. And in no school hols times. What a joy that will be.

Quick q - anyone have exercises for knees? I blew my LCL a few months back and I'm stressing about any upcoming snowboarding hols.

Had a BA cancellation for my snow trip earlier this year and they refunded my flight and covered the rebooked flight too from what I remember. Took a little while to get it back to my account but it came eventually.

Well I never got compo but we did get our (expensive swiss) expenses refunded.

Didn't stop us heading to the resorts around Aigle last weekend again. Champery for the PdS, Villars, Leysin and possibly my favourite, Glacier 3000 which is always so quiet and has so much off-piste potential many days after the last snowfall

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Had they opened the new tunnel in Glacier 3000? Interested to see what that does for them. It give direct access to some really good off piste which used to require a quite sketchy traverse.

It has been constructed and the pisteurs have been clearing out the snow from the exit. It wasn't open by Monday though which was a shame.

Yes that traverse is sketchy, particularly heelside for a goofy like me...
The other option is to be lowered down the 80m cliff during the Freeridedays weekend!

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