Ways to Survive the Off-Season
There's only one real downside to being addicted to snowboarding - sooner or later the snow's going to melt. When this happens we can either travel thousands of miles to find more, or, find something else to do with our time€¦
Assuming most people can't jet off half way round the world at the drop of a hat, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the things snowboarders like to get up to when the white stuff disappears.
Just because there's no snow on the mountains doesn't mean they're not worth visiting. The spring and summer months see the exodus of the majority of temporary seasonal workers from the resorts, transforming the villages back into their truer idyllic states. With this comes a slower pace of life; but this is by no means devoid of adventurous activities.
Living or visiting in the mountains over the summer opens up a huge range of non-snowboarding related activities to get hooked on. Here are just a couple.
Downhill Mountain Biking
With thousands of feet of terrain to play with, all accessed by the same lifts used in the wintertime, downhill mountain biking is hugely popular at many resorts all over Europe and Northern America. The trails at Whistler Bike Park in BC and Winterberg Bike Park in Germany are even more endorphin releasing than snowboarding. Hurtling down at startling speeds, knowing a crash is going to hurt a lot more than on snow, this is one for those who love to charge.
Rock Climbing
Climbing is also very popular in the mountains during the drier seasons. Requiring a more Zen-like concentration than snow-boarding, many people quickly become hooked on this addictive sport. Pushing your own personal limits and capabilities over a season climbing, and seeing yourself improve, can be a hugely rewarding experience. Plus you still get to hang out in the coolest locations.
Away from the mountains, a lot of snowboarders migrate to warmer and wetter climates for their summer adventure sport holidays. The sea with its unpredictability and abundance of water-based activities is the perfect parallel to the mountains.
Here are two of our favorite water based activities when there's no snow to play with.
Surfing
Surfing holidays are popular with snowboarders in search of their next rush - the feeling of cruising down the face of a wave and slashing the lip can be likened to riding powder. Although difficult to master, surfing is popular with all levels of riders. It's all too easy to find yourself whiling away many days out in the ocean surfing. Try Indonesia or Northern Africa for a surfing adventure that combines interesting local cultures, warm waters and consistent breaks.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
If you fancy a change of pace, scuba diving and snorkeling is a popular pastime, especially if you get the chance to holiday in places such as Australia, Egypt, Thailand or the Philippines. Experience another side of life, a million miles away from your average snowboarding holiday, under the surface of the ocean. Getting hooked on diving is easy, and who knows, come face to face with a shark and you might also get your heart racing as fast as if you were storming down a mountain face.
Assuming most people can't jet off half way round the world at the drop of a hat, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the things snowboarders like to get up to when the white stuff disappears.
Just because there's no snow on the mountains doesn't mean they're not worth visiting. The spring and summer months see the exodus of the majority of temporary seasonal workers from the resorts, transforming the villages back into their truer idyllic states. With this comes a slower pace of life; but this is by no means devoid of adventurous activities.
Living or visiting in the mountains over the summer opens up a huge range of non-snowboarding related activities to get hooked on. Here are just a couple.
Downhill Mountain Biking
With thousands of feet of terrain to play with, all accessed by the same lifts used in the wintertime, downhill mountain biking is hugely popular at many resorts all over Europe and Northern America. The trails at Whistler Bike Park in BC and Winterberg Bike Park in Germany are even more endorphin releasing than snowboarding. Hurtling down at startling speeds, knowing a crash is going to hurt a lot more than on snow, this is one for those who love to charge.
Rock Climbing
Climbing is also very popular in the mountains during the drier seasons. Requiring a more Zen-like concentration than snow-boarding, many people quickly become hooked on this addictive sport. Pushing your own personal limits and capabilities over a season climbing, and seeing yourself improve, can be a hugely rewarding experience. Plus you still get to hang out in the coolest locations.
Away from the mountains, a lot of snowboarders migrate to warmer and wetter climates for their summer adventure sport holidays. The sea with its unpredictability and abundance of water-based activities is the perfect parallel to the mountains.
Here are two of our favorite water based activities when there's no snow to play with.
Surfing
Surfing holidays are popular with snowboarders in search of their next rush - the feeling of cruising down the face of a wave and slashing the lip can be likened to riding powder. Although difficult to master, surfing is popular with all levels of riders. It's all too easy to find yourself whiling away many days out in the ocean surfing. Try Indonesia or Northern Africa for a surfing adventure that combines interesting local cultures, warm waters and consistent breaks.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
If you fancy a change of pace, scuba diving and snorkeling is a popular pastime, especially if you get the chance to holiday in places such as Australia, Egypt, Thailand or the Philippines. Experience another side of life, a million miles away from your average snowboarding holiday, under the surface of the ocean. Getting hooked on diving is easy, and who knows, come face to face with a shark and you might also get your heart racing as fast as if you were storming down a mountain face.