Resorts with EC possibilities and Dutch kids class

Post by **NTwoO** » Friday 12 February 2010, 22:02

Hi all,

Planning a trip to experience EC for the first time, we want to go to Zinal, but their ski school does not have a dedicated Dutch children's class. People with children will know that I might as well go snowboarding in Rome if the kid is not happy. A Dutch class is thus imperative to give me any freedom to experience the board. Where can one go that is close to Zinal or close to a centre that does Swoard boards? Alps are obviously a prerequisite.

Thanks in advance.

Post by **Transistor Rhythm** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 9:52

In Sölden you can rent Virus boards that are very similar to Swoard boards at Sport Riml. Very similar, not the same. Apart from Soelden, renting alpine equipment is almost non-existant.

One of the dealers listed here is in the French Alps, another one is in the Pyrenees but I don't think there is a big chance they have Dutch instructors in the Pyrenees.

You can also try to find someone here that happens to have your size and flex and is willing to let you try it. There is at least one other fanatic swoarder living in Breukelen.

I think the best solution is to simply extend your vacation in Switzerland by a few days and test the Swoard for two days in Zinal. Not so great for your wife, but you can compensate

Post by **NTwoO** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:08

I would love to keep my wife out of the loop on this one, but that is not possible, since she also wants a swoard! Thanks for the tips.

Post by **NTwoO** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:10

Just for the record, Jennewein (sufers paradise) in St. Anton does alpine rental. They also stock Pogo. So that remains an option. Renting an alpine board is more for my wife, since she wants to go from soft to hard boots.

Post by **joemzl** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:18

Best for dutch carvers is the dutch enclave Winterberg, Neuastenberg, Altastenberg or Willingen in Germany.

Enough snow at this time, but no chance to test an EC-Carver.

In Fiss/Serfaus in Austria there should be given lessons in dutch.
It´s a good place for EC, but renting such a board .....

Hm

which board do you want to try?
Maybe I can give you my 168H.

Post by **joemzl** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:28

Yes, St.Anton could be an option - but not if you are looking for a dutch oriented village.
St.Anton is more for the british people.

(Wanted to buy a pizza in a restaurant, but the waitress could only speak english.

Not a problem, but funny)

BTW: in Serfaus you can rent alpine gear (F2) too.

Post by **NTwoO** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:31

Thanks for the offer. I'm really stuck to the 175XH with my dimensions/weight. My wife will fit a 168M with her dimensions/weight, but I actually need to get her carving on a normal board first. It sounds as if the EC or dual is a better start for carving than the radical race boards, so that would be a better deal for da lady.

Post by **NTwoO** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:34

joemzl wrote:Yes, St.Anton could be an option - but not if you are looking for a dutch oriented village.

BTW: in Serfaus you can rent alpine gear (F2) too.

The thought was that it is big enough to carry a dutch kiddies class. Serfaus is also an option, I see...

Post by **István** » Saturday 13 February 2010, 13:41

In Sölden you can rent Virus boards that are very similar to Swoard boards at Sport Riml.

Some are, some aren't....

Post by **Track** » Sunday 14 February 2010, 12:15

We take our children (age 5 and 9) to Avoriaz every year and they go to kids classes with French or German speaking teachers. They have a great time and the language is not a barrier at all, the teachers are very patient with kids that are not French speaking and most also speak some words dutch.

We go snowboarding from 9-12 and pick them up to go skiing in the afternoon together. Excellent!

If you really want dutch teachers you can try Hotel Royal Alpage in Champoussin, Switzerland, part of portes dus soleil ski area. It's a dutch hotel with dutch creche, dutch kids club and dutch speaking ski teachers. They also have catered chalets.

PS. I used to teach skiing to children in Austria who didn't speak dutch or german but it was never a problem. Some language jokes and the kids are fine.It's the parents that are worried!

Post by **Schneewurm** » Sunday 14 February 2010, 21:59

Ask/confirm "Ecole suisse de Ski et Snowboard" at St-Luc, next to Zinal for Dutch spoken teachers.

http://www.ess-stluc.ch/portalessstluc/ ... en&num=985
See at bottom!

During lessons You can go back to Zinal for do ExtremeCarving.

Another Choice:
International New School Grimentz (next to Zinal)
http://www.ins-ski.ch/ski-school/booking/booking.php

On the reservation form, You can choose Langue Netherland. So ask/confirm by phone too, for Dutch spoken teachers.