Confidence is key to park riding, but you also need some ideas on where to start. You probably had lessons on how to snowboard on the pistes, so to improve more quickly it's worth getting lessons in how to ride in the park. With the correct guidance it's actually a lot easier than you think.



Europe now offers some great summertime boarding progression camps. But snowboarding in the summer? This may sound strange but because of the high-altitude glaciers dotted about the Alps, riding in 25 degrees and full sunshine has become a reality. Board parks don't require particularly good snow conditions, so if the snow is a little hard or slushy it's not too much of a big deal as long as your board is waxed and you have all the proper protection on, from helmets to hip-protectors because when it comes to park riding the more protection you have the more confident you'll feel.

Saas Fee in Switzerland is where you'll find Fusion Snowsports' camp this summer. You'll get tailor-made training on how to ride in the half-pipe, hit a kicker, pop 180s and ride on boxes and rails as well as a week's accommodation and meals. All levels are catered for and you will feel like a more confident and accomplished rider by the end of it.

Snocool camp in Tignes, France combines snowboarding skills with other sports such as trampolining and skateboarding to develop your balance and strength. This is also a great option if you are short on cash as you can opt to exclude accommodation and food, so you can arrange your own self-catering accommodation.

You can also head to Norway and check out the Snowboard Summer Camp in Stryn. This is a great camp for beginners that have never even contemplated jumping a kicker. You'll be sure to find someone of similar ability too as ages range from 10 to 50. However, accommodation and meals are not included, but the camp itself is a bit cheaper than some of its competitors at around ?300, just beware that Norway is rather expensive.

All of these camps run in June, but other dates in July and August will be added soon. If you get started now, by next season you will be a park perfectionado.