Guide to doing a snowboarding season
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step-on's alex de la haye likes doing seasons!

01 > Where to go???
First thing, decide where you want to go. If it's your first season you might have previously been on holiday to a resort and want to return for the season, otherwise the choice is endless...where ever you go you'll probably have the time of your life.

The main choice is STATES or EUROPE. The States resorts are generally more expensive (season pass £500+), but for the extra cost the seasons are about a month longer than Europe in most regions, plus the facilities in many American resorts are very good - world class pipes and parks, well maintained pistes, and good lift systems. The main thing is that doing a season in the States will take a lot more organising if you don't already live there, due to visas, travel, etc. Top American/Canadian resorts are Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenbrigde, Mammoth, Lake Tahoe.
In Europe expect to pay around £350-£500 for a season pass, and the season in most resorts is mid December - mid April. Life systems and pistes are generally not as well maintained as in America, but this does depend on the resort. Most European resorts now have parks and pipes but many of them are not very well kept - but they're getting better each season. Top European destinations are Chamonix, Morzine-Avoriaz, Tignes, Les Arcs, Val D'Isere, Mayrofen, Laax, Saas Fee...too many to mention.
Decide what kind of riding you're into...if you are a jib monkey and you know it, go somewhere snowboard friendly with a decent park. If you're more into freeriding, you will get more out of a big mountain resort such as Chamonix.

02 > How to get there???
If you've got a good car, don't take it! Buy a shitty old one from juloppy corner that you don't mind trashing. Aside from the weather taking it's toll on the car, a few drunken drives home from town and you'll be seeing damage.
The ferry from the UK to France will cost around £60-£100, and with toll fees and petrol the journey to the Alps will probably cost around £200-£300. If there's a few of you in the car this works out ok. Decide whether you're gonna want a car during the season though, cos if not you may as well fly with easyjet to Geneva, Grenoble, or Zurich - one way can be under £40.

03 > Where to Stay???
Best way to organise accomodation for the season is to contact the local tourist office and get them to send you a list of rental agencies. Alternatively, if you know someone in a particular resort they may be able to look around for you. For an apartment, expect to pay around £40-£50 a week each. In smaller or more prestigious resorts accomodation can be very expensive. In larger resorts it's easier to find cheap places.

04 > Work or Bum???
Another major decision. If you think you can manage without working, do it, as this allows you as much time on the hill as you want, and also travel around a bit more freely. You may have to budget on going out etc though. If you are getting a job, try to get an evening job as again this will allow you to spend the day snowboarding (remember why you're there!). In larger resorts you can often turn up at the beginning of the season and fall into a job but in smaller resorts you may have to organise a job prior to arrival.

05 > Buying Equipment
Generally speaking most snowboarding gear is slightly cheaper in Europe than in the UK, and it's a shit load cheaper in the US. However you may not have a wide choice of gear in certain resorts. If you're going snowboarding for a whole season, it's worth paying for good stuff. Boots - spend as much as possible and get boots that fit really well and offer plenty of support. Board/Bindings - Buy a board that matches your ability level and riding style, but remember you will learn quickly throughout the season.

The big Q - How much will it cost???
Right, can you really afford to head to the hills for the entire season? If you're working then it's quite affordable, but if you're planning on lasting the season without a single day of labour you will need around £1000 absolute minimum after paying for your lift pass and accomodation. Most people save up more, but they're not educated in the StepOn ways of blagging and theivery. This amount will allow you the occasional big night out and cover food. Again, cost depends on where you're staying. There are ways around money problems such as overdrafts and credit cards - Alex Davies did nearly a whole season in Chamonix using only these two methods of finance. It's ok as long as you don't mind being in debt, and you can always work to pay them off over the summer when you get home.

Words / Photos : A Winter