The Verbier Snowboarding School
The Verbier Snowboarding School
Come join us this winter for all your snowboarding needs in Verbier and the surrounding mountains.
Here at Vivid Snowboarding, We offer the very best snowboard teaching, coaching and guiding in Verbier and beyond. If you are a day one beginner looking to progress those all important first turns or a seasoned expert then we have the right sessions for you.
Here are the lessons types we offer here at Vivid Snowboarding:
- Private
- Freeride and Split boarding
- Freestyle
- Group
- Kids
For more details on each product listed please check out more information LESSON DETAILS
Here at Vivid Snowboarding we also offer numerous camps and clinics for all styles of rider. Please check them out here:
- Freeride weeks
- Freestyle camps
- Avalanche safety course
- Heli Riding
- Summer shredding
- Girls Shred
- Freeride clinic weekends
- Online coaching
Please check out more details here on our site PRODUCTS
Vivid Snowboarding; The Verbier Snowboarding school offers the best professional instructor training courses on the market. These programs are designed to you qualified with your snowboard instructors license ready to go out and teach in the industry. We currently have 3 courses out there in the following destinations:
- Saas Fee, Switzerland during the Autumn ( Check out the resort of Saas Fee SAAS )
- Verbier, Switzerland during the Winter
- Myoko, Japan during the Winter ( Our Japan course is currently on hold because of Covid restrictions )
Our instructor training course will not only get you qualified but its designed to take your riding to that next level.
For more information on any of our products or you would like to book up a session please get in contact, we look forward to hearing from you.
Snowboarding lessons worth it?
Are snowboarding lessons worth it? This blog will lay out the advantages of taking a snowboard instructor, coach or guide.
Here are the biggest advantages:
- Its not all about technique but its important - A good instructor will have you standing with proper alignment on your snowboard. This will in turn allow for correct steering. Bad habits will be avoided and progression will be maximised. At a beginner level you will learn the correct foundation to then grow as a rider. As a more advanced rider you will be challenged and progression will be faster. Check out all our lesson and session options here LESSONS
- Safety - A local professional will always know the mountain. You will be guided to where conditions are the best and safest on any given day. They will often choose the best lifts with least amount of people. Instructors will also be able to provide that insider knowledge of the mountain. It's finding those secret spots and hidden gems which is important.
- Conditions - finding the best snow and conditions and being able to match the ability of the rider with the correct terrain type. Your instructor will be up to date with weather conditions and avalanche risk. keep an eye on the weather via the following site WEATHER
- Secret spots - Your instructor will be able to find those hidden gems on the mountain. When it snows 10cm - 15cm and your instructor knows just the spot to get awesome face shots and not touch anything underneath.
- Equipment - Hire shops can often over look the proper set up of the board, boots and bindings. A good instructor will set your equipment up so it it tailor made for each individual. Everyones weight and shape is different. This has to be reflected in how the equipment is set up.
Summer Session 2021
Summer session 2021
Summer session 2021 managed to go ahead in early August. Travel restrictions meant a fair few people were unable to attend due to impossible quarantine times etc
The early summer period had seen a few closed days due to adverse weather conditions. However, the week we had was fine. Both the park and slopes were in great conditions for the duration of the session. Warm summer temperatures had conditions just perfect in the snow park by about 10am each morning.
You can Check out the daily conditions on the glacier here : WEATHER
The progression from everyone involved was immense. 50/50 tricks turned into frontside board slides and switch ups. 180's got turned up to 360's. The mountain would close between 1pm and 2pm each day when we would head for some late lunch and light refreshment at mid station.
By late afternoon everyone was ready for a snooze and recharge before a tasty pizza in Cervinia in the Evening. Cervinia has some of the finest Pizza restaurants around so there was plenty of choice establishments to get a fine slice from.
If you are interested in joining us for our summer session in 2022 then please don't hesitate to touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
Check out our summer session page here : CERVINIA
Summer Snowboarding in the Alps
Summer snowboarding in the Alps.
Snowboarding is not just a winter sport or pastime. Riding takes place all year round all over the globe. Whether this is in South America or snow domes in Europe,China or Dubai. Some one will always be riding somewhere.
The European Alps is home to the most ridable all year round snowboarding resorts on the planet. During the summer months there are numerous riding locations. Here are handful of the best spots:
- Cervinia, Italy ( our summer home ) - CERVINIA
- Saas Fee, Switzerland.
- Hintertux, Austria.
- Les 2 Alpes, France
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Tignes, France.
These resorts will usually have a snow park set up running from mid to late June over the summer months and into the Autumn. Its worth checking with the lift company to see operating times. Lifts will usually open a little earlier in the morning and close after lunch time.
The overall amount of terrain on the glaciers is not as extensive as your regular winter resort. If the winter has been a big snow fall year then usually the glaciers are nicely topped up for the summer season and into the autumn.
Summer snowboarding in the Alps is awesome for your overall riding skills. Plenty of laps both on the piste and in the snow park lets the riding improve naturally. Vivid Snowboarding has its annual summer session running in Cervinia between the 9th- 13th August. You can check out the camp details here on our site SUMMER.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch for anymore details on our summer session or any of the locations mentioned above.
Verbier Spot Check: Savoleyres.
Verbier Spot Check: Savoleyres
Situated on the opposite side of the valley to the Verbier mountain, Savoleyres has some awesome terrain. Not offering the same steepness as the Verbier mountain but packs a solid punch with user friendly off-piste. A good option on bad weather days. Savoleyres has an abundance of trees and features which really help to maintain the ability to see when the weather is bad.
Check your forecast here VIVID
The slopes meander down both sides of the Savoleyres mountain. On the north facing side the slopes drop down to La Tzoumaz. On the south facing side there are piste and tracks that lead back to Verbier, you can find off-piste routes down to the gondola station or to Marlenaz which is an awesome Swiss style restaurant. Access from the Verbier side is from the lift station next to Chalet Adrian. If you jump on any bus in resort then this will go past the lift station. The gondola itself is in need of a revamp which is due to happen soon. The lift does however hold a certain charm as you feel like you are taken back in time to shredding in the mid 80's
Savoleyres holds some awesome views. The mountains of Verbier always look incredibly steep and gnarly and the valley floor is a real mix rivers, fields, woods and towns which spread out along the Rhone Valley. The beautiful mountain of Pierre Avoi looms over the area and is an incredible sight.
The Mountain has a few places to eat which range from a converted cow shed to a swanky members only restaurant and everything in between.
When riding back to the Verbier side of the mountain be aware of the avalanche danger from the mountains above. If closed please don't ride the track.
If you are looking to explore all the delights on offer in Savoleyres then why not take a guide VIVID
Four reasons why Verbier is one of the best places to snowboard in Europe
Four reasons why Verbier is one of the best places to snowboard in Europe
- Verbier is part of the 4 valleys. This is the 5th biggest snowboard area in the world. Verbier has over 412Km of marked slopes.The Mont Fort is the highest peak which sits at 3330m above sea level. Verbier has guaranteed snow from December through to April. The vastness of this giant snowboarding playground links between the resorts of Bruson, Le Chable, Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon. Check out the piste map here MAP
- The off-piste riding in Verbier is awesome. It really is some of the best off-piste snowboarding in the world. You have every style of ridable terrain from steeper and more exposed to chutes and couloirs. The mountain has such a variety. Even after riding these mountains for over 15 winters you can find new lines and zones to ride. To get the most out of your time in the Verbier why not take a guided session with us here at Vivid Snowboarding. Check out your options VIVID
- The 4 valleys has a few different terrain parks. The Verbier Snowpark is situated in La Chaux . The park is progressive and has a great selection of features for all levels of rider. Thyon also has a Snowpark with great number of kickers and rails. The park usually has a big kicker in spring.
- Vivid Snowboarding is based in Verbier. More than just a snowboard school we offer the very best snowboarding experience in Verbier. We have the very best instructors, coaches and guides and offer everything snowboarding related in resort. So If you are a day one beginner looking to learn to ride or a seasoned off-piste expert then we have what it takes to make your riding time in Verbier both truly memorable and awesome.
VERBIER SNOWPARK
The Verbier Snowpark
The Verbier snow park is based in the La chaux area of the mountain. The park is accessed by the La Chaux Express lift which runs up to a height of 2480m. This modern lift combines gondolas and chairlifts and allows for super fast park laps. The snowpark has great snow cover from December through until April. The area is south facing and therefore the sun softens the landings while the take offs to features stay hard and fresh.
The Snow park has a team of dedicated park shapers who manage and maintain the features in the park daily. You can expect a large range of features for all levels. Green and blue features for the riders who are just stepping into the park through to red and black features. The more advanced your riding skills the more comfortable and confident you will be with riding the more advanced features. The Verbier Snowpark have a dedicated page on facebook. You can keep up to date by following the link PARK
Here at Vivid Snowboarding we offer freestyle camps and clinics that take place in the park. You can check out our camp options here CAMPS
Our camps and clinics are an amazing way of increasing your freestyle skills and getting a whole new bag tricks under your belt. If you would like some more advice on any of our freestyle products, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Keep an eye out this winter for freestyle coaching sessions at weekends and during the holidays for all ages. Everyone is welcome !!
Vivid Snowboarding - The specialists snowboard school based in Verbier
The Vivid Snowboarding Calendar
The Vivid Snowboarding Calendar
Vivid Snowboarding offers a wide range of specialist freeride and freestyle camps. Vivid Snowboarding also offers a good mix of instructor training courses and an avalanche awareness course.
During the winter months we are based in Verbier, Switzerland, home to some of the best freeride terrain in Europe. In the summer months we run our programmes in Cervinia, Italy.
Our winter starts at the beginning of December with a long weekend season opening camp. This will get your riding fine-tuned for the up and coming season.
Freeride camps take place during January and February taking advantage of mid-winter snow conditions. We have camps for the more accomplished rider. The kind of rider looking to search, explore and ride some of the highest quality off-piste terrain out there. We also have camp options for the new comer to freeriding, who is looking raise their technical skills and gain in confidence and increase their knowledge of the mountain environment.
Vivid Snowboarding offers a Japan powder camp each January for those wanting to experience the ultimate powder riding in Japan.
Check out the resort of Hakuba here HAKUBA
If you are wanting to gain a specific backcountry qualification then come and join one of our ISTA (International Snow Training Academy courses) courses. The day discovery course will teach you basic risk prevention when off-piste. You will be given the tools to stay safe in the backcountry.
Check out the ISTA course here ISTA
Freestyle camps run during the back end of the winter season and during the summer months in Cervinia. If you are wanting to progress your freestyle game or add some new flavours to your riding then this is perfect option.
Through out the winter in Verbier, Vivid Snowboarding offer our girls shred afternoon. These are an awesome way for the girls snowboarding community in Verbier and the surrounding area to get together and have fun together.
Our instructor training courses will give you the opportunity to gain your BASI level 1 and 2 qualifications. This takes place in Saas Fee every Autumn. From years in the instructor training industry we’ve created the perfect course. The correct amount of coaching, balanced next to plenty of practise time which develops skills. We have real job opportunities with Vivid Snowboarding in Verbier.
We do also offer month long intensive training camps without the stress of any exams.
Keep an eye out on our social media channels for up and coming dates
The Burton Step On
The Burton Step On
Burton are the biggest and best snowboarding company in the industry. Burton are continuously developing their product and one of their newest and boldest is the reintroduction of the step in system. This made a brief appearance in the 90's and then disappeared. However Burton have rebranded and launched again as the Step on system. Not for every style of rider but definitely worth trying and giving them a test run. You might just fall in love with them!
Here at Vivid Snowboarding we have been testing and riding this product. They are strong, lightweight and durable. The boots connect to the binding with two connection points on the front of the boots and one at the back on the heel. Once you've managed the connection a couple of times this becomes second nature. To release your boot from the binding there is a simple leaver to pull up.
Burton have created a simple and effective connection between board and bindings. They want the constant hassle of strapping in and out of the bindings taken away. Their new system is in its infancy but it works and feels good! Other brands have now also followed Burton into the strapless world. K2 have relaunched their clicker system which is again a blast from the past. The 90's are coming back!
Burton have grown their step on range for the coming season. The boots will vary slightly in relation to support, durability and weight. It will always be worth trying out a few different styles so that you get the most comfortable boot for yourself. Remember your boots are the number one most important piece of kit, then you're binding and then you're snowboard.
For Winter 2020 - 2021 Burton will be offering the following step on boots:
- The Ion step on
- The Ruler step on
- The Swath step on
- The Photon step on
You can check out the full range for winter 2020 - 2021 here SHOP
If you are looking for further advice on the Step On system then please get in touch with us here at Vivid Snowboarding.
The Snowpark Safety Guide
Snowpark Safety Guide
1. Features will be clearly labelled like the piste. Starting at green which will be easiest and finishing with black which are for advanced riders.
2. Always check the feature before attempting to hit it. You may have been taking on the same feature every day for a week but shapes can change overnight so take a look before the start of each session, go for a dry run.
3. Always good to watch other riders hit the feature you want to ride, this way you can get an idea of where to drop in from. Nothing worse than under cooking it but at the same time you don’t want to be sailing over the knuckle still going up!
4. Make sure there is no one on the landing before attempting to hit a feature. If in any doubt don’t go.
5. Never try something too far outside your comfort zone, remember to always be in control. Every body loves a hero but be careful as your best day ever can turn into your worst in a split second.
6. Alert other park users that you are dropping into a feature this could be done by a simple hand in the air or by shouting dropping.
7. If you do fall, try and move away from the landing zone as quickly as possible so you are visible and in a safe place.
8.If a feature is closed don't hit it!
9.If you witness an accident or are involved in one , go through the correct steps. Make area safe, make sure casualty is comfortable and inform the park crew of what has happened.
10. Always have respect for others. Learn the snowpark safety guide.
If you are looking to ride the snowpark come take a session Freestyle sessions.