Archie Hampshire

Snowboarder, purely for the comfier boots.

I was introduced to skiing at the age of seven by my mum. If there was ever an advert for putting your child into a ski school instead of attempting to teach them yourself, I was it. One tantrum and 15 years later, I ended up returning to the slopes and doing my first winter season in Les Deux Alpes. This is where I decided to pick up Snowboarding.

An immaculate bluebird day with a load of friends at the end of the season in Deux Alpes.

I've always wanted to go back to America and the California Ski Safari would take me to San Francisco and Los Angeles, two of the USA's most famous cities. As a very average boarder, I think Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth would be the destinations to push me to be better. 

In January 2024, I was fortunate enough to go on a trip to various resorts across Norway including Beitostølen, Gausta, Geilo and Norefjell. This trip emphasised what skiing and snowboarding in Norway is all about; uncrowded slopes, friendly locals and plenty of snow.

Having done a winter season in the Alps and snowboarded in Norway a couple of times now, here's my take on the difference between the two from a snowboarder's point of view.

After having a brilliant time there myself earlier this year, I'd love to take my partner to experience Gausta in winter 2024/25.

I used to be the human rope in a (water)ski show in Greece.

Push yourself to try something new and never feel embarrassed if it doesn't quite come off the first few times of trying.