Airboarding Travel Insurance

Airboards, sometimes called snow bodyboards, are inflatable and lightweight raft-like sleds made from strong, durable materials. They are controlled by shifting your bodyweight and using your forearms to turn as you propel yourself headfirst across the snow. As expected, you’ll need a helmet before you get started, as well as strong boots which can be dug in the snow to slow yourself down.

The airboard itself was invented by Joe Steiner in the 90s, who was a poor winter sportsman and wanted an alternative, safer way to enjoy the thrill of going downhill after breaking his knee. In 2004 after over a decade of research and development, the airboard debuted in the United States, and its popularity is steadily growing. This might be due to the possibility of reaching a whopping 80mph while speeding downhill!

Who goes airboarding on holiday?

Airboarding has an extremely short learning phase, which has been said to be around 20 minutes! This means that the long and expensive teaching and training process of snowboarding or skiing can be completely overlooked, and an affordable winter sport is available to anyone seeking to ride the slopes.

It doesn’t take long to become comfortable with manoeuvring the board which makes it the perfect activity for snow-loving people of all ages, including the most experienced of snowboarders or skiiers. To take part in airboarding, the participant should be at least 10 years old although there doesn’t seem to be any restrictions on an upper age limit - a good general rule is to listen to your body and make sure you won’t be overexerting or straining yourself should you decide to take part. For more information on airboarding with impairments or disabilities, you will need to check with the resort staff.

As always, bear in mind that with any extreme sport there is always the risk of injury. For this reason you will need to wear all the protective gear associated with any wintersport, including a helmet, goggles, and appropriate snow boots.

Where do people go on airboarding holidays?

Where else to start your airboarding adventures than the home of airboarding: Switzerland. For beginners there are smaller, smoother slopes, and for those willing to push themselves there’s the Chälen-Schlittelbahn. This three kilometre run is technically demanding, and suited to airboarders and tobogganists alike, situated high above Lake Lucerne amongst alpine peaks and stunning winter views. Lights from the nearby village at night make the mountains sparkle, creating an unparalleled balance between the beauty of the region and the adrenaline on the slopes.

Somewhere a bit further afield is the USA’s first airboard park in the Canaan Valley, West Virginia. This area of the Allegheny mountains is lesser-known, housing smaller runs without the crowded feel of a more popular resort. Snow-crested pine trees line the trails, and the surrounding scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. Enjoy the 180 inches of annual snowfall from dedicated airboarding trails!

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