Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Park life

Matt Carroll gets busy on the terrain parks of Europe in search of the perfect resort for slope-style fanatics and first timers

One of the best things about snowboarding is ‘catching air’. The feeling of leaving the ground and successfully landing a jump is utterly addictive, as indicated by the number of people who spend their entire ski holiday hanging out in the terrain park (or snow park) trying to perfect their skills. While the half-pipe might look like an intimidating place from the outside, you’ll often find that the guys and girls hanging around looking cool will be only too happy to give you some tips on how to perfect your technique. Whether you’re already an aerial ninja or simply fancy having a go, there are various resorts around Europe with freestyle facilities to suit all abilities. So don’t just stand there wishing it was you – get involved!

Arinsal in Andorra

Arinsal claims to have one of the most radical freestyle parks in Europe – which might be a little optimistic. Nevertheless, the terrain park here is one of the most notable features of a resort that mostly caters for beginners and intermediates.
What you’ll find is a huge half-pipe that will test even the most accomplished aerialist, a ‘biiiiig’ jump that’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, lots of boxes and rails for sliding along and a bunch of quarter-pipes. And when you’ve worn yourself out, you can sit back in the chill-out area and watch everyone else flexing their skills.
For more info, visit skiandorra.ad For Andorra fly to Barcelona or Toulouse

Les Arcs in France

This is one of Europe’s most famous resorts and a huge hit with boarders. As well as great off-piste riding, the terrain park – Snowp’Arcs – is fantastic.
There are two ‘zones’ dedicated to specific freestyle disciplines: the ‘Games’ zone where you’ll find two boarder-cross runs, various jumps and a beginners’ area; and the ‘Display’ zone which is designed for more advanced riders. Here you have a big ‘hip’ jump and various rails for perfecting your sliding skills. On top of this there are two half-pipes, which are lit at night; even if you’re not taking part, it’s worth heading down here to see how it’s done properly.
For more info, visit lesarcs.com For Les Arcs fly to Geneva

St Anton in Austria
This place has some of the best skiing and boarding on the planet, including an excellent terrain park. Take the gondola to the top of the Rendl ski area, and follow the sound of hip hop beats and boards slapping bullet-proof snow, as riders land some spectacular jumps. There are half- and quarter-pipes at your disposal, as well as the usual array of jumps, rail slides and a ‘washboard’ comprising several jumps in a row. If you’ve got any energy left, the nightlife is ferocious too.
For more info, visit www.stantonamarlberg.com
For St Anton fly to Munich

Tignes in France

Another of the European giants, Tignes is a hugely popular resort situated in the French Alps. There are 93 miles of pistes to choose from, and you can ski here pretty much all year round. This includes freestyle stuff, with a big terrain park which gets built on the famous Grande Motte glacier each summer. At this time of year, however, the slope-style fanatics head to Val-Claret, with its half-pipe, quarter-pipe, bumps, jumps and rails. Although Tignes is a huge hit with boarders, you’ll still find plenty of skiers mixing it up in the park.
For more info, visit tignes.net For Tignes fly to Geneva

Laax in Switzerland

Another perennial top 10 hit with snowboarders, Laax is viewed by many as the ‘complete’ resort. There’s a great mix of pisted terrain to suit all abilities, including two terrain parks – and no less than three half-pipes. If you come here in January you’ll see some of the best boarders on earth getting busy in the half-pipe at the Burton European Open Championships. Indeed, it’s seen as so good here that the Orange AIM Series finals are also held here. For those who are still finding their wings, there are also two mini-boarder cross tracks to choose from.
For more info, visit laax.ch For Laax fly to Zurich or Geneva must for anyone who loves snow-sports. You’ll find the park up at Les Grands Montets, in Argentiere, just along the valley from Chamonix itself. When it comes to freestyle skiing and boarding, this is one of the toughest playgrounds of them all; Chamonix is full of pros who hang out there all season, on a mission to out-do each other for the most spectacular tricks.

Even if you are all about the terrain park, you should take the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi and tackle La Vallée Blanche – an unforgettable off-piste experience.
For more info, visit www.chamonix.com For Chamonix fly to Geneva

FR » Parcs à neige

Que vous soyez déjà un ninja aérien ou que vous glissiez tout simplement en droite ligne, de nombreuses stations en Europe peuvent offrir des infrastructures aux freestylers, selon leur niveau de pratique du ski et du snowboard. Alors ne restez pas planté là, foncez!

Arinsal à Andorre se prête plus aux débutants et aux sportifs de niveau moyen. Le terrain du parc dispose d’un grand half-pipe auquel pourront se confronter les rideurs les plus accomplis et un ‘énooorme’ jump, pas pour les petites natures.

Les Arcs en France offre du hors piste pour les excellents rideurs et le parc de snowboard des Arcs est fantastique. Deux zones sont distinctes: ‘Jeux’ avec des courses de ski cross et des sauts; et ‘Display’ pour les rideurs avancés.

St Anton en Autriche propose un excellent terrain de jeu. Prenez la gondola jusqu’au sommet de la zone skiable du Rendl et laissez-vous guider au son amorti des planches, qui retombent sur la neige lorsque les sportifs atterrissent après leurs sauts spectaculaires.

Tignes en France attire des hordes de britanniques. Les sportifs peuvent choisir entre 93 pistes et un grand snowpark situé sur le glacier de la Grande Motte permet aussi de skier l’été.

Laax en Suisse est un terrain adapté à tous les niveaux de pratiques, comprenant deux parcs et trois half-pipes.

Chamonix en France est un des espaces de jeux les plus exigeants pour le snowboard freestyle. La Vallée Blanche sur l’Aiguille du Midi se révèle une expérience hors piste inoubliable.

Serre Chevalier en France propose d’excellentes infrastructures pour le freestyle , rampe de lancement, ski cross, half-pipes, rails, glisse et autres figures acrobatiques.

Hemsedal en Norvège est l’endroit où vous retrouver pour côtoyer les pros. Deux parcs et deux pipes, où vous trouverez pas mal de monde en train de poser.

Chevalier has managed to maintain its ‘village’ feel. It’s not the most lively place to come for après-ski action, but nevertheless has some excellent freestyle facilities. There are a range of big-air jumps, boarder-cross, half-pipes, rails, slides and other acrobatic accoutrements at five locations around the resort. If you’re looking to take to the sky, head to the Briançon area or the Echaillon piste. There’s a pumping sound system to psyche you up.
For more info, visit www.serre-chevalier.com
For Serre Chevalier fly to Turin

them head here (especially in spring) in order to party – and get busy in the park. There’s a choice of two parks and two pipes, where you’ll find a lot of posing going on. However, Hemsedal is famous for the impromptu kicker sessions that take place away from the main slopes. Once the season is coming to a close, groups of pro snowboarders come here to achieve massive airs. Kick back with some beers in the spring sunshine and see how it should be done.
For more info, visit www.hemsedal.com
For Hemsedal fly to Oslo

NL »Sneeuw op je board
Nu al luchtacrobaat of misschien hoop je het snel te worden? Overal in Europa zijn er freestylefaciliteiten waar snowboardfanaten een gat in de lucht springen. Haal je board al maar boven!

Arinsal in Andorra biedt mogelijkheden voor beginners en gevorderden. Het park heeft een enorme half-pipe die zelfs de meest ervaren hoogvliegers op de proef stelt, en een grote jump voor de durvers.

Les Arcs in Frankrijk biedt vele mogelijkheden, ook naast de piste. Zo is het park ‘Snowp’Arcs’ fantastisch! Het heeft twee zones: één met boarder-cross runs en jumps en een andere voor meer ervaren boarders.

St. Anton in Oostenrijk heeft een uitstekend snowpark. Neem de skilift naar de top van het Rendl-skigebied en volg het voorbeeld van de snowboarders die zich aan het spectaculaire werk wagen.

Tignes in Frankrijk is een geliefkoosde plek voor Britten. Er zijn 93 pistes en een enorm snowpark dat elke zomer opnieuw op de gletsjer de Grande Motte wordt aangelegd.

Laax in Zwitserland heeft voor elk wat wils, onder meer twee parken en drie half-pipes.

Chamonix in Frankrijk biedt lekker moeilijke freestyle fun. La Vallée Blanche op de Aiguille du Midi bezorgt je een onvergetelijke off-piste ervaring.

Serre Chevalier in Frankrijk heeft uitstekende freestylefaciliteiten met big-air jumps, boarder-cross runs, half-pipes, rails, slides en meer van dat gewaagds.

Hemsedal in Noorwegen is de plaats waar je de echte profs aan het werk ziet. Er zijn twee parken en twee pipes, waar flink wat show wordt verkocht.

Grab A downhill course or a jump where the rider grabs the base of their board while they’re in the airia, 54km from Vienna, www.leo-hillinger.com

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