Top 10 fun parks in the Alps for snowboarders and freestylers

Monday, 6 February 2012 12:19 PM

Fun parks are the new trend in winter sports, with many of the larger ski resorts investing more into bigger and better facilities for snowboarders and freestylers. So, if skiing is not really your thing and you feel more at home doing tricks on your snowboard, then SnowTrex, ski holiday tour operator have revealed their picks for the ten best fun parks in the Alps.

1. Laax, Switzerland: Laax is every snowboarder's dream, with four snow parks, more than 90 obstacles, 160m half-pipe, shoot-my-ride kicker and a Freestyle Academy.

2. Absolut Park Flachauwinkl, Austria: At number two on the list the Absolut Park Flachauwinkl is is a great natural terrain park at 1.5km long. It includes many different types of rails and kickers, as well as the "Burton The Stash", the south-facing half-pipe and a unique chill-house.

3. Playstation Vita Ischgl Snowpark Austria: At 1.8 km long the Playstation Vita Ischgl Snowpark offers a broad range of activities for beginners to professionals, as well as a concert stage, extra obstacle park and BagJump.

4. King Laurin Snowpark Seiser Alm, Italy: The King Laurin Snowpark Seiser Alm only just opened last month and is set in a fantastic location with natural terrain. It contains more than 50 obstacles from kickers and boxes to wood lines and rails.

5. Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun, Austria: The Glacier, Kitzsteinhorn park is very snow sure and is home to more than 70 obstacles, including a 160m super pipe, rail garden and easy park for beginners.

6. Mottolino Snowpark Livigno, Italy: Mottolino is the biggest snowpark in Europe and was the first of its kind in Italy. There’s a 140m half-pipe, plus an 80m natural pipe and more than 50 different elements. There is even a special area reserved for professionals so you can sit and watch the pros at work.

7. Vans Penken Park Mayrhofen , Austria: Vans Penken Park Mayrhofen contains 50 elements, a kid's park, fun area, photo shooting area.

8. Les Deux Alpes, France: Les Duex Alpes comprises a 120m long half pipe, 1200m long boardercross, a freecross, BigAir kicker and Cool Zone.

9. Val Thorens, France: Covering 70,000m² the fun park at Val Thorens is made of jumps, rails and boxes, and is great for both skiers and snowboarders of any level. There is also a boardercross and the more unusual Jump'Air, a shock absorbing mattress that allows you to try out stunt-man tricks and acrobatics in complete safety.

10. Oberstdorf, Germany: The Almdudler Fellhornpark, Crystal Ground Park and Nebelhorn at Oberstdorf have a great range of snow park facilities including jumps, quarterpipes, tables, and a 350-metre bordercross trail, as well as slides and a 150m snow-tubing run.