I’ve always been more of a summer holiday kind of person. Warm weather, beaches, city breaks—those are in my comfort zone. But this year, I decided to step WAY outside of it.
At 37, I went on my first winter trip; a snowboarding holiday.
It was one of those slightly tipsy ideas that seemed good. Just when my travels around South-East Asia were ending, my good friends were skiing and, after a fall, had unfinished business. One thing led to another and after 9-months in the sunshine, a winter holiday before the end of season was planned and booked.
Destination? Sölden, Austria.
So, if you’re also thinking of learning to snowboard as an adult, here's what it's really like to take your first snowboarding holiday at 37, from indoor practice to fresh powder.
Getting Ready: Indoor Snowboarding Practice Helped
Before hitting the real mountains, I prepped with a few indoor sessions. I hadn’t decided between skiing and snowboarding, so coming back from Bangkok to Manchester through Dubai, I took the opportunity to decide. Booking a ski and then snowboard session in the Mall of the Emirates.
I even got to meet a penguin!
And whilst I loved skiing, boarding is just, well, cooler. Decision made I was going to be “that guy” on a trip with three skiers. No pressure.
It was worth while, I figured it’d give me a head start. And it did; getting comfortable with the gear, learning how to balance, and practicing those first turns indoors definitely helped ease the nerves.
But nothing quite prepares you for the real slopes.
Back to the Alps
Landing in Munich, we picked up a rental and hit the Autobahn heading south, re-covering the route we took on our EU adventure in 2024 to the Alps.
Sölden welcomed us with blue skies and jaw-dropping alpine views, familiar but this time, snow-capped.
Sheer coincidence meant we were opposite Aqua Dome Lagenfeld. A place that is straight out of James Bond and a place I’d wanted to visit for years. And after an early start, collecting our ski gear and a lot of travel, the 3-hr relaxation in the geothermal spa pools there was a welcome relief.
Jovial drinks and pizza at Don Camillo masked a little nervous energy about actually heading 1500m upwards and taking on the slopes.
Welcome to Snowboarding
Riding the bubble lift from Giggijoch, I don’t think I spoke much despite a crammed capsule. The weather wasn’t great; our first morning was cloudy and dimly lit (but the promise of it brightening up later on).
The scale of the slopes was daunting, it was a world apart from the confines of my local Xscape.
“We’re not in Yorkshire anymore”.
Austria’s blue runs aren’t the most forgiving, but that’s the lowest grade they have, so this was going to be an experience. “In for a penny, in for a pound” as my Granddad would say. One foot strapped in, I pushed my way to my first chairlift and tried not to fall.
Reaching the top, and six abreast, I tired again not to stack it coming off the lift. But, I am a snowboarder and there is a community joke that we’re the problem. Sure enough, I obliged. Stumbling off with the gracefulness of a newborn giraffe, I only took out one skier. Must try harder next time.
Fortunately the actual run is where I found myself. I had an epiphany. The clouds gave way to blue skies, I found my balance and a rhythm. The practice paid off.
A mid-morning pretzel and lemon radler is enough of a reason to get into the gig, but really I didn’t want to stop.
The rest of the afternoon was a great lesson of familiarisation. Rinse and repeat. Get the basics down and try not to break any bones.
Confidence …Loading
Day two brought small victories: standing more confidently, reading the terrain, linking turns, and controlling my speed (without panic).
Oh, and making it off the lift without causing chaos!
These might seem like minor achievements, but they felt huge.
After a morning re-familiarising and realising yesterday wasn’t a dream, I was soon back into the swing of things. Three solid runs and no falls, I was loving it.
Mid-afternoon I had another realisation, I could tackle anything. So with some deep-experience in the group, I had made a decision. The next run would be a red and we’re going from peak to valley floor (straight to a bar)!
The feeling of completing a steep run; carving and navigating the moguls was immense. I took a moment at the bottom to truly appreciate it.
Then, snaking through the snow-covered firs on the way down to Sölden, I found myself. Alone, cutting through the snow, sweeping down switchbacks, it was one of the best feelings.
I am hooked.
The Après Element
Being on the mountain with friends is a whole vibe.
Sharing laughs, swapping stories of the day’s wipeouts over beers and schnitzel, and soaking in the après-ski atmosphere made the trip so much more. It was a unique experience.
The challenge, the scenery, the people, and the pure joy of doing something totally new. It is a feeling which few get to appreciate after childhood.
Over already
Sadly this taster was over as soon as it had began. Day three was our last. The weather reflected the mood. Overcast and gloomy.
Heading up the slope again it was stark how the lack of sunlight changes the slopes. There was no definition, it’s impossible to see the lumps and bumps. I felt like I was learning all over again.
There was a bit of familiarity, but it felt like somewhere else. Also, back-to back days require some ibuprofen and several coffees at my age.
The overnight snowfall added another dimension to the slopes. Everything was slower. Surfing through the fresh powder in the morning was blissful. I guess it’s not all bad.
The snow was soft a blessing (for my falls), but powder riding is a whole different beast. Like everything, it’s all about give-and-take. I can’t see, but it hurts less when I fall.
Today was all about taking it in. Being in the moment. Doing what we loved. Connecting. There is a run in Sölden which featured in James Bond, Spectre. An improbably plane chase through a valley, naturally, we shoop’d down that run as a favourite.
Lunch stop and currywürst all around, I realised that this is a great community to be a part of.
On to the next one
Sölden wasn't the ideal location for a first-time snowboarder. However, the scenery is breathtaking, the snow is reliable, and the resort has plenty of beginner-friendly areas. For me this was a great lesson in getting out of my comfort zone and proving you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Plus, going with friends made the whole experience 10x better. Sharing laughs on the slopes and après beers at the end of the day brought the whole thing together.
Breaking the fourth wall, I am writing this with one browser tab open, trying to see if I can fit another trip in before the season wraps. That’s the power of passion.
Looking Back (and Ahead, and All Around)
By the end of the trip, I was completely hooked. Sore, yes. But already thinking about when I could go again. Snowboarding hasn’t just a hobby, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new, to feel like a beginner, and to surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
So if you’ve ever thought you missed the boat, or felt like learning something new in your 30s (or beyond) was out of reach, trust me, it’s not.
You have free-will.
You might just discover your next big passion.
I certainly did.
See you on the slopes 🏂
