23 Odysssey -The Mountains are Calling

AMountains Are Calling!

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO GET AWAY TO THE SLOPES THIS WINTER, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE FRENCH ALPS SAYS CHRIS WOOLLAM OF ODYSSEY

Paid advertorial by Odyssey, Bury St Edmunds. No federal endorsement of advertiser intended.

The first time you walk into Odyssey in Bury St

Edmunds you might be tempted to ask "Why is there a snowboard shop in the middle of Suffolk?" The simple fact is, Suffolk is a great base for any snowboarder or skier, because it's so easy for us to get to the Alps and a whole myriad of resort options are just a short plane ride away.

Although driving is definitely possible, the easiest way to get to the mountains is to fly into Geneva and we are lucky to have a lot of choice in how to get there. Geneva is served locally by Stansted, Luton and Gatwick airports and there are numerous airlines that fly these routes, so you can always find a time and price to suit.

From Geneva there are multiple resort options available with an hour or two transfer. Focussing on the French resorts, one of our favourite options for a short break are the resorts in the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest ski areas in the world with over 600km of piste to explore. The most popular resort, Morzine, is only an hour or so from Geneva airport, so you can catch an early flight and be riding by lunchtime! Morzine has something to offer all levels of rider as well as good nightlife and cuisine if you want to burn both ends of the candle! On a powder day head over to the Mont Chery area for fresh tracks all day long. Other resorts in the Portes du Soleil worth checking out are Chatel, a slightly quieter resort with excellent back country access when the snow is good, and Avoriaz, the highest resort in the area.

ABOVE:Snowboarding in Les Deux Alpes.

If you're going to the Alps earlier (or later in the season) it often pays to look at some of the higher altitude resorts to guarantee the best snow conditions. Val Thorens, part of the Three Valleys area, along with Meribel and Courcheval, is the highest ski resort in France at 2,300m and goes up to 3,200m, meaning you'll always find decent conditions. Other higher French resorts we'd highly recommend are Tignes, Les Deux Alpes and Les Arcs/La Plagne, all great resorts in huge ski areas that offer great variety, freeride potential and good parks for freestyle riders.

It's hard to do justice to the scope and majesty of the French Alps in a brief article like this, so we would implore you to get out there and experience as much as possible while you're here in the UK!

If you'd like any more advice on any of the resorts we've mentioned, snowboarding in Europe in general, or, of course, help getting all the best kit for your trip away, come and see us at Odyssey in Bury St Edmunds and we'd be stoked to help!

For all your winter sports needs, you can find us at: Odyssey, 14-15 St Johns St, Bury St Edmunds. Online at www.surfsnowstyle.com Call us on 01284 753322

ABOVE:Inside the Odyssey shop at Bury St Edmunds.