Explanation
Tour de Pramecou
Freeriding is the ultimate riding experience. It is timeless, will never fade or falter – for this reason it is the true heartbeat of snowboarding – riding untouched snow. In these fast changing global times,snowboarding has become more accessible to all. This is no bad thing, but a resulting factor of more riders is less fresh tracks. To get the best freeriding experience you need to understand how the snowpack is formed and all the elements which affect it – temperatures, wind, sun. Add this to a knowledge of all the rideable terrain and you’ll get the best riding experience for the conditions available.
Off-piste riding
- Lognon freeride area
The main difference between off-piste and backcountry is the accessibility. Off-piste is generally to the side of, next to or round the back of a groomed run. Easily accessible – sometimes visible, sometimes hidden. Any area that is not a marked piste becomes avalanche territory therefore can be dangerous to ride. Off-piste is unfortunately less respected due to a general naivety amongst many snowsport enthusiasts. After fresh snowfall, the rewards are high but because of the proximity to the main slopes it can be short-lived and tracked out extremely fast.
Backcountry
Back country Freeriding allows you more freedom, riding in isolation – pure serenity. To gain access you must be prepared to forsake the luxuries of lifts and get hiking. This can be walk ins, walk outs ranging from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the route of the tour. This results in an ability to find fresh, untracked powder days after snowfall.
- Vanoise National Park
With this freedom comes more dangers. The backcountry can be a hostile environment, a powerful unforgiving area which is not patrolled. Safety is always at the forefront of any expedition no matter how big or small. To manage the risk, strong technical riding abilities are required, together with good fitness levels, mental strength, correct safety equipment, knowledge of the area and the ability to say no and turn back if conditions do not look right. As long as these risks are managed effectively you’ll have the biggest stoke every turn – it is real hedonism. It is almost impossible to explain – it must be experienced.
Come and experience for yourself
- Top of Grappillon
To be able to freeride you must adapt your technical riding – particularly in line with the different snowtypes that you encounter. Leaning-back will simply do nothing more than make you lose balance and control of the board. We will take you through the journey of technical discovery. Next, you must understand the tactics required to ride different snow types – the speed needed, the correct line and turn shape for the pitch you’re attacking. We will work with your mental approach to certain situations helping you develop trust and confidence when most needed. We will teach you to better understand the safety aspects and snow types. Finally we will take you to the areas of the mountain you have only dreamt about. McNair snowsports offers you the best freeriding experience.
