Alva snowboarder takes to the Ochils

Iain Robertson • Published 27 Jan 2010 10:01 0 Comments

A CLACKMANNANSHIRE sportsman insists snowboarding in the Ochil Hills is one of the best experiences he has ever had.

Alva's Mark Foley has been on slopes all over the world and says it is all to easy to forget what is on your doorstep.

The 38-year-old has over 20 years experience in the sport, and the recent snow fall in central Scotland made the Ochils the perfect place to be.

He told the Advertiser Sport, "Snowboarding in the Ochil Hills is one of the best things I've done.

"Having lived all over the world, particularly in British Columbia in the village of Whistler, which is probably as close to snowboarding heaven as most people will get, it's easy to forget what's on your doorstep."

Mark drove more than 3000 miles from the east coast of the states to the west coast of Canada to go snowboarding in Whistler.

He continued, "It was minus 10 degrees and I lived in the car for 10 days because all the money had gone on fuel driving there, until I accidentally bumped into a mate from England and scored a house. I ended up staying there for a year."

The Ochil Hills might not provide the comfort of ski lifts to the top, but Mark insists it's well worth the effort.

"There are no chairlifts to the top and no ski patrol, but that's also the beauty of it," he said.

"The place to yourself, under your own steam and fantastic fresh runs if the snow is good."

Mark insists, though, that the Ochil Hills can be a dangerous place and says it is not advisable for inexperienced people to head for the slopes alone.

He continued, "Just because the name says hills and not mountains don't fool yourself into thinking that it can't a dangerous place to be.

"I'm not suggesting that beginners and the inexperienced rush off into the Ochils to try skiing or snowboarding, but finding someone with experience and getting a group together is the way forward."

He added, "Going off into the hills on your own isn't advisable but, weather permitting, with your skis or your board on the lower slopes, you could have the best day ever without spending six hours in the car."

Mark started off skateboarding as a kid, but it didn't stop there.

"For me it was snowboarding then mountainboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding. I always like to move on and challenge myself.

"I've always been a board rider. Its something I love, mostly any excuse to be in the mountains or on the seas."

And Mark has one place that he would love to experience.

"Alaska is my dream destination," he said. "I nearly made it from Canada but it didn't work out.

"It's still on the list and will get ticked off at some point. There's no rush. I'll get there."

Tweet

Post a comment

Comments posted in the evening, through the night and at weekends will be queued for moderation as we do not have moderators available outwith office hours.

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

If you are registered with us, you can login here. If you are not registered, do so now.
Once logged in you wont have to complete word verification each time you post.

Prefer not to register?

Screen Name *required

Email (not displayed) *required

Usernames must be 4 - 20 characters. Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users can also take part in competitions and other features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @alloatiser