McNair Snowsports

Snowboarding is something I only discovered in the last few years. It started quite innocently – with a day spent falling on my arse on a sheet of ice next to the car park at Mount Baker. For some reason I was hooked. I came back to home and had some lessons in one of the fridges before heading out to the alps to conquer the mountains. Quietly.

Fast forward a year or so and I was pretty confident on-piste, but every time I ventured into the back country (with guides) I seemed to end up in situations where I was very, well I guess the polite term is “uncertain”.

So, when I got the chance of 4 unbroken weeks in the mountains in winter (aka a sabbatical) I thought I’d spend some of it going back to snow school. I had a week on my own in Morzine, then a week in group lessons in Tignes (where I learnt that confidence doesn’t equate to skill) and, well, that’s how I met Neil and splashed some cash on more focussed, private coaching. Within days he had me riding terrain I thought I’d never do. Hiking off into the backcountry to places where you can’t see the lifts (and not just because of a whiteout). Riding through (relatively gentle) couloirs, and generally having a spectacular time whilst continually improving.

I’ve been back to Tignes for a winter break every year since. There’s not many photos ‘cos we’re usually having too much fun on-piste, off-piste or maybe even in the arse-end of nowhere. I thought the time for being taught was over, and the time for new pistes and environments would come – but I love spending time with Neil, learning more as he coaches me to be better, going further and into more challenging terrain. He has a knack of knowing just how hard to push you – so you grow and develop but don’t scare yourself rigid (well, mostly).

So why am I writing this reminiscence now, especially as it’s the middle of summer… Because, after damaging my sciatic nerve earlier this year, I made it back onto a snowboard last week – which was such a nice feeling. Also, Neil’s now struck out alone. So if you want to learn, develop and go be excited by the multiple possibilities of a single plank of wood and some bindings – Tignes has the terrain, and Neil has the know how, and has just set up his own venture in the place he calls home.

mcnairsnowsports.com