Love snow? Go eco

We all love the mountains and the snow - and the majority of us only have one precious week on the ‘white stuff,’ which we are keen to preserve. So, with global warming threatening our fun, how do you maximise your time on the mountain safe in the knowledge that you have done your bit not to destroy what you want to enjoy? The Animal Snowcamp might just have the answer.

Based in the luxury BoardnLodge Ecolodge in the French Alps, freesports brand Animal offers a rare opportunity for keen snowboarders and skiers to sharpen up their skills on the snow alongside some of Animal’s top pro-snowboard and ski team. This year campers are being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint and make the journey by train to Bourg St Maurice, base camp to high altitude resorts Les Arcs, La Rosiere and St Foy, and enjoy a 5% discount as a reward.

For just four exclusive week-long camps in January and March, the Animal pro team will be dedicating their time to offering a unique chance to tap into their expertise and improve participant’s all-round riding ability. From park to powder campers will be trying things they never knew they could do – all under the watchful eye of the likes of half-pipe master Dom Harington, Olympic contender Kate Foster and freestyle genius Johno Verity. Each week is hosted by two of the team who are a valuable resource of insider tips, advice on equipment or just helping out with mastering a new move.

The BoardnLodge Ecolodge hosting the Animal Snowcamp nestles in the countryside overlooking Bourg St Maurice - base camp to Les Arcs, La Rosiere, Val D’Isere and Tignes, meaning the group will have the pick of the pistes each day according to the conditions, and all just 10 minutes drive away. By way of reward for good citizenship, the accommodation adds a little bit of luxury to the mix with a sauna so campers can alleviate any aches and pains at the end of a hard day riding. Add to this gourmet cooking, a minibus powered by restaurant waste oil and power from a green energy provider, and you’ve got the recipe for a good week maxing it up on the slopes and a guilt-free good time with some après-ski shenanigans to boot.

For the first time this year the Animal Snowcamp is opening it’s doors to skiers providing some expert insight from Animal freestyle skier Ben ‘Bungle’ Hawkins, probably one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet! Skiiers and snowboarders will ride side by side on this mixed week (21 – 28 March) and can expect to try out some freestyle manoeuvres and a bit of powder hunting.

This winter the Animal Snowcamps will run Saturday to Saturday from 24th January to 7th February, and then 14th March until 28th March 2009 and cost from £690 with a 5% discount for campers travelling to the week by train. Each week-long camp includes tuition with the Animal pro team, BoardnLodge resort guides, full-board, all transfers, lift pass and all-important Animal goodie bag.

For more information visit Animalsnowcamp.com.