Make the decision to head off on a snowboard trip and the chances are that you’ll automatically think about picking out a week or two in the winter for your holiday. There’s a lot to be said for the late season, however – not least because you can often pick up a fantastic deal on Spring snowboard trips if you shop around.
It’s not just the flights and accommodation that will come in cheaper, either; as springtime is traditionally the quiet season, lift passes will also be significantly cheaper. Put the cherry on top by shopping around and finding yourself the best foreign exchange rate for buying your holiday currency too and you’ll have a great time for a relatively low price.
It’s not just the financial aspect that makes Spring ideal for snowboarding though. Your chosen resort’s snowboard lifts will operate for longer, too, because of the longer daylight hours that Spring brings. With great weather and quieter slopes than peak season, taking a snowboard holiday in the Spring makes a whole lot of sense.
Not all resorts are at their best during the Spring, however. As a general rule, try to stick to a destination that offers snowboarding at 2,000m or above to greatly reduce the risk of the snow disappearing before you get there. It’s always best to check with your chosen resort before you book, though; if a resort that is generally fine in the Spring has an unusually poor snowfall then it could jeopardise your plans. You don’t want to book your tickets, pack your snowboarding gear and buy up a load of the relevant foreign currency only to find that the resort is snow-free.
Remember, even experienced snowboarders sometimes have accidents, so whatever time of the year you book your trip for, be sure to have the right insurance policy in place. Some places offer specific snowboard trip cover; there are a number of places out there offering cheap travel insurance so be sure to shop around and find the right deal for you.
Granted, you can’t buy your travel insurance until you decide on a destination, so where to go? In terms of Europe, France is a great bet for late season snowboarding with Val Thorens and Tignes often proving popular. Alternatively, the likes of Zermatt makes Switzerland a solid choice too, while Sweden boasts great resorts like Riksgransen and Åre. Further afield, North America has a host of great spots for Spring snowboarding, from Canada’s Whistler in British Colombia – recently in the headlines for co-hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics – to California’s Mammoth Mountain in the USA.
There’s something for everyone out there, so do your research and find the perfect Spring snowboarding resort for your needs.
