New to the sport, looking to explore the backcountry, need to work something out, try something new or even crazy? all are welcome to explore with jib snowboard. All sessions include electric vehichle transport to and from your accommodation to the most appropriate place to ride for the conditions on the day and your style.
New riders
As a new rider you will be given specific techniques that add up to making the first turns a pleasure. You will be shown how to set up equipment and use the slopes safely. Everything you need to ride safe and have fun in a mountain environment will be covered;
- how to fall well
- scooting
- stopping
- traversing
- using the lift
- first turns
- progressive turns
- carving
- fundamentals of jibbing
- piste etiquette
- different grades of slope
- rider specific progression
- safely exploring the mountain further
- higher performance techniques
Getting to first turns can happen in as a little as an hour or up to 3 days. In Chamonix there is access to a number of great beginner areas with good progression through the different grades of slope in close proximity.
For many people the hardest day snowboarding is the first one. New muscles, cold conditions and trying to control a new thing between your feet can be hard work, but it is certainly worth it. as you become accustomed to the equipment and conditions it gets easier to ride where new challenges and adventures become tempting. Arriving ready for this workshop in good fitness is a benefit to maximise your enjoyment.
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph
Carving
Carving is a fantastic feeling, balancing the forces riding with ease and style enjoying the curve of the mountain and of course adding a touch of jib. A carving workshop after you’ve learnt the basic turning techniques is like a breath of fresh air. Exploring specific and coordinated movements that bring the rider, board and mountain in to balance.
During the workshop the fundamentals of carving will be explored through certain techniques and principles. Gradually moving toward higher performance carving in steeper and more challenging terrain. The workshop is geared to the individual working through key elements that enable higher performance;
- fine tuning equipment set up
- body position
- movements
- choice of line
- sport psychology
- dynamic carving
- practice video feedback and progression
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph
Backcountry
Entering the backcountry is an exciting point in a riders progression opening a whole new terrain to explore with fresh powder away from the crowds in to the wild mountainous environment.
While riding the pistes means there are mountain security patrols and easy access to rescue in case of emergency, when it comes to the backcountry we need to know how to approach the natural side of the mountain to secure ourselves and our riding partners.
In a backcountry workshop you will discover ways to read the mountain to understand its dangers and avoid them. You will learn what to do if an incident occurs and how to use safety equipment efficiently. Safety is the priority however techniques for riding in style while exploring different types of backcountry terrain are also explored.
Split boarding is the easiest way to travel on snowboard in the backcountry as when hiking/skining up, the weight of the board is on the feet instead of the back. Renting equipment is the best place to start if you don’t already own it. The workshop begins with getting familiar with this equipment set up and use, exploring more of the backcountry throughout the session(s).
There will be some theory to introduce the workshop with an intention to give riders as much knowledge and experience to confidently navigate the different factors in riding the backcountry.
If you are dreaming of backcountry lines this workshop is an excellent choice. you will explore a great deal of what Chamonix has to offer while building a solid foundation of knowledge technique and experience for your freeride days. some of the subjects covered;
- safety equipment set up and use
- split boarding equipment set up and use
- variable riding techniques (including powder)
- practice video feedback and progression
- route selection and knowing when to turn back
- map reading
- understanding the weather
- snow conditions and avalanche
- tour books and apps
- ride lines relevant to the rider and current conditions
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph
Freestyle
Flying through the air grabbing the board making a little rotation sliding over a box giving a little shifty landing in the sweet spot; its a great sensation however the learning curve can seem steep, where fears fester and stop us going for it.
Whether your considering the first jumps or you’ve taken some slams and need to work something out booking a freestyle workshop is a great way to explore progressive techniques tailored to your goals at a suitable pace.
During the workshop there will be opportunity to work on specific areas of freestyle as well as a general introduction to all the features and styles relevant to freestyle.
some of the subjects we will cover;
- safety
- the art of falling well
- sport psychology
- park etiquette
- park features
- feature specific techniques
- approach manoeuvre and landing
- timing
- ollies, grabs and rotations
- boxes and rails
- flatland tricks
- kickers
- pipes and burms
- practice video feedback and progression
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph
General jib
Jibbing is a great way to find passion in this sport; jumping, spinning, off cat tracks, ridges, windlips and rocks. A wide range of techniques and terrain is covered on this workshop while looking to have fun with the whole mountain. If your carving all the pistes and wondering which area of the sport to explore next, a jibbing workshop is a good place to start, connecting with different mountain areas/jibbing zones.
Rider focussed sessions cover different jib styles and features, how to approach manoeuvre and land while considering safety and other slope users.
Jibbing workshops are less focussed on park features looking more towards what is naturally there. book this session if you’ve been spending too much time in the park and would like to see how to apply these skills to new terrain. Or indeed with no park experience as a way to get more enjoyment out of the mountain in its natural setting.
Subjects covered on the workshop that assist in playing with the whole mountain and loving it;
- the art of falling well
- jib techniques (ollies, butters, bonks, shiffties, rotations, slides, taps etc)
- feature selection
- variable jibs
- safety
- other slope users
- sport psychology
- timing
- jib/jump building
- practice video feedback and progression
- self expression
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph
Younger riders
Children are coming in to the sport at younger ages, with developments in equipment making it easier for them to taste snowboarding. For very young riders a flexible approach to the session based on play works well; parents are welcome to get involved with the games that help develop their snowboard skills overtime at a pace that suits them.
As they progress they will explore more techniques through games. There is a good choice of beginner slopes in the Chamonix valley starting on a very gentle slope while they get used to slidding and stopping. When they are ready they will move on to different types of terrain working on making turns to control speed.
2 hour lessons work well for young riders getting in to the sport for the first time. They will explore;
- how to fall
- equipment
- scooting
- stopping
- sliding and stopping games
- moving around obstacle games
- progression
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph
Career coaching
Starting to consider a competition route? going for instructor or coaching qualifications? Jib can help you prepare for exams and competition, working over longer time frames discounted and sponsored opportunities exist for passionate riders making snowboarding their life.
There is lot more detail during these sessions; looking at higher performance in theory and practical sessions on and off the mountain to prepare for your snowboarding career.
Get in touch and let us know your goals to see how we can work together.
Zoom sessions
Have a trick bothering you or keep catching an edge? Schedule a call and send us your video footage, we can run through some principles to help you understand the issue and what to practice to get it dialled in as little as 30 minutes from anywhere in the world!
- Half day lesson €220
- Full day lesson €420
- Zoom theory sessions €50ph