Forget about traditional summer camp with annoying counselors and cheap tents – we are talking about a week of progression, professional instructors and serious snowboarding. For the rider who is looking to step their skills up while everyone else is taking the summer off – snowboard camp could be a very good investment.
There are probably more than 10 reasons to do this but we will just list the ones that came to mind.
10. Safety
If you’re going to try things you’ve never done before, you need to do it in the safest environment possible. You will have instructors guiding you, terrain made properly and medical staff on hand.
9. Extra Curricular Activities
Skateboarding, paint balling, white water rafting – you name it – camp can be so much more than just snowboarding. These places are all about fun physical activities so there will be no shortage of exciting things to do.
8. All-inclusive.
Everything you might need is at your fingertips. Lift tickets, meals, transportation, lodging and even brand spanking new demo equipment is all available for campers. Keep in mind prices vary per camp so make sure you do your homework and choose the right package. Some camps will have upgrades available and basic packages to choose from based on your budget.
7. Beginner and Advanced Options.
Some people think that snowboard camp is only for the pros, but they couldn’t be more wrong. The majority of campers are intermediate riders looking to improve their skills on the mountain. All camps will have options for beginners, complete with entry level terrain and patient instructors. And for the more advanced rider, hang with some serious pros and get your school on.
6. Professional Instructors.
Plain and simple you will be learning from the best. Keep in mind, every pro snowboarder started somewhere – camp is a chance for them to give back and help you get to where you want to be. Every camp website will list their instructors for each session so you can pick what riders you want to learn from.
5. Foam Pit.
It’s not easy climbing out of these things but it sure is fun to throw yourself into one. Rodeo flips off a 30 foot kicker can be a little intimidating. Try your first one with a great big cushy foam pit under you and it’s a little less scary. The foam pits are awesome because they are a safer way to grab your fear by the balls and try some serious tricks.
4. Film Review.
Seeing what you are doing wrong (or right) can help you improve in a major way. Campers get filmed while working on specific tricks and review the tapes later that day. This will give you a chance to pick apart the anatomy of a trick and catch any mistakes you might be making.
3. Make Friends That Ride.
Just like any camp atmosphere, you are guaranteed to make some new friends. Camps bring people of all ages, from all over the country, together to bond over one thing they all love – snowboarding. Great memories, future riding buddies and countless stories will absolutely happen.
2. Legit Terrain.
This ain’t no icy weekend in Wisconsin. The park crews at camps are no joke. Since the camps bring out the pro’s and newbies alike, every prop, rail, box and kicker are made with love and precision. Everything flows together and makes sense so you can get the most out of each and every run.
1. Progression.
The number one reason anyone chooses snowboard camp is to progress. Riding your local mountain with friends is awesome, and we highly recommend it, but heading to camp will probably be the most productive and exciting week of your snowboarding life. Finely tuned lessons will have you getting better by the day and the added confidence will show in your riding.
We understand snowboard camp is not inexpensive but some things are just worth saving for. If you can scrape the funds together, we are confident that your week will be totally worth it. Below is a list of a few of the top snowboard camps out there, take a look and see what each one offers. Added bonus – the majority have skate camps too so you can get your roll on when you’re off the mountain. Happy Camping!