Snowboarding in Ireland..
As most of you are aware, Ireland. is not known for its large falling of snow and cold winter season. This has not deterred the ever growing number of winter sport enthusiasts who seem to flock in ever growing numbers to the countries airports every winter to head for the European Alps and beyond. With the rise of the low cost airline the snowy mountains of Europe have become much more accessible to the general public.
Snowboarding in Ireland. has grown from strength to strength in recent years. You may not be aware but there are two locations where you can try out the sport before you head off to the hills. Irelands current answer to the alps is in a couple of artificial dry slopes, one located in Kilternan on the south side of Dublin, and the other is located in Northern Ireland just outside Lurgan. Every week you will see the hardened boarders of this country visit their local slopes to keep their skills fresh. Although artificial slopes are no substitute for the real stuff one who can master the dry slope has little or no problem when it come to soft white powder.
Since 2004 there also has been a number of snowboard events run by Irishsnowboarder.com and the ski club of Ireland. to act as a focal point for snowboarders from all over the country to get together and show off their skills on a board. Also at this time the college scene started to take off with snowboard & snow sports clubs now becoming some of the largest at two of leading colleges. February 2004 heralded the first All Ireland college ski & snowboard championships at Kilternan with over 60 riders competing for the Crystal IrishSnowboarder.com trophy. With numerous inter college ski & snowboard events coupled with special snowboard evenings run by local boarders in Northern Ireland there are many snowboarding events now popping up on the Irish snowboarding calendar.
Jen Grace Ireland’s first international athlete has been competing on the world stage and although she did not qualify for the 2006 Turino Winter Olympics she has started to put Ireland. on the world snowboarding map. An Irish American Jen is currently ranked in the top 100 female racers in the world so watch this space as she continues to improve her rankings.
All of this activity coupled with the ever growing numbers of people heading away to the snowy mountains of Europe will see the sport of snowboarding grow even more popular over the coming years.
So why not register with us (its FREE) and start your journey as anyone who has snowboarded before will tell you is an amazing sport, full of excitement and challenges suitable for all ages.