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Freestyle Parks in Chamonix
Where to go to spin, jib, bonk and cork

Freestyle skiing and snowboarding has been growing in popularity since the likes of Glenn Plake and Scott Schmidt brought it to the wolrd in the "Blizzard of Aahhhs". Since then we've seen the birth of snowboarding, the evolution of twin tip skis and snowboards, and the inclusion of freestyle in the winter Olympics.

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Freestyle has made household names and millionaires of teenagers with bad hair cuts and tendency towards mono-syllabic conversation and, if you are new to the slopes, there's a good chance that you'll be wanting to try your first kicker or rail soon. If you have been skiing or snowboarding for a while then it's more likely that you have tried you first kicker or rail and realised exactly why those rubber-limbed freestyle monkeys make the money they do. It's hard and it can hurt. But freestyle is great fun and if you want to learn there is no better place to head than the Chamonix park.

The Park in Chamonix is in the Grand Montets sector above the town of Argentiere at the North end of the valley. The park can be accessed by the Tabe and Plan Roujon lifts but does not have its own lift specifically for park access. As it is in the Grand Montets the park does not get too much sun so all the features stay in good shape but they can be a little hard first thing in the morning. Like most of the pistes in Grand Montets it is best to ride the park in the lunch time and afternoon sun.

A new addition to the Grand Montets Park this year is the inclusion of video cameras. These are positioned throughout the park and will record your run for you. They are free to use and very simple. Activate the camera by swiping your lift pass over the camera's sensor which will start to beep. On the fourth beep begin your run. Swipe your card again at the stand at the bottom of the run and you can watch your run back on the screen there, or log on to www.freestylepark.fr and watch, download and share your video from there.

The park also has an airbag this year which is an ideal place to practice, pick up confidence and learn new tricks. It is free to use and open everyday.

The Grand Montets Park has features for beginners to intermediates and it is a great place to try freestyle for the first time or brush up your skills.

Whichever features you choose to ride in it is important to make sure that while you are there you do not put yourself or anyone else at risk.

The resort recommends that you wear a helmet when practising freestyle and there are plenty of shops that will stock other safety clothing including back protectors, crash shorts and wrist guards all of which can help reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. The best hing to do is to treat the park like a piste; ski within your limits and progress at a steady controlled pace.

Although the rules for Park etiquette have not been formally laid down the rules for piste safety, as set out by the FIS, highlight the important factors that should be adhered to ensure safety and enjoyment in the Park.

Respect for others - Always conduct yourself in a way that does not endanger others.

Control of speed - Always judge your speed to suit the module you are attempting. Under or over shooting a landing can cause serious injury.

Choice of line - Use the markers at the side of modules to decide what your line will be.

Stopping- If you stop in the park make sure that you are not in a blind spot or in the landing/ take off of a jump. Only stop at the side of modules and make sure you are not in anyone's way.

Communication - Put your hand up to signal you intend to go next and before you set off make sure that the path ahead is clear and that you are not cutting in-front of someone.

Respect the terrain - Don't use modules for anything other than their intended use.

Assistance - In the event of an accident all skiers and snowboarders are duty bound to assist.