This season we're changing things up with snowboarding, and Nathan has the guide for you!
Published on 11/04/2025 - Written by Amélie
At just 24 years of age, Nathan Gray is one of the new generation of ski and snowboard instructors at esf Les Menuires. This native of the region followed this path in order to make a living from his passion, after a school career combining traditional lessons and winter sports, followed by selection for the French snowboard team.
Along the way, he has come to realise that snowboarding is particularly undervalued compared to downhill skiing. There are a lot of preconceived ideas behind this, and as a snowboard instructor, he's determined to dispel them!
Skiing vs snowboarding: a difficult choice
Born in Moûtiers, the historic capital of the Tarentaise valley, Nathan has been on skis from a very early age. Like many instructors and other winter sports enthusiasts, he soon joined a club to practise skiing and snowboarding.
Despite a liking for both disciplines, he had to make a choice to enter the sport-study class at Moûtiers secondary school, opting for snowboarding.
Nathan was then selected for the French snowboard team, before joining the sports-study section at Albertville high school. After passing his baccalauréat, he went on to study business at INSEEC, which gave him the winter off to train as a ski instructor.
Nathan was then selected for the French snowboard team, before joining the sports-study section at Albertville high school. After passing his baccalauréat, he went on to study business at INSEEC, which gave him the winter off to train as a ski instructor.
He spent his first two years in Chambéry and then went to Lyon to finish his degree, both to discover a new environment and to decide whether to continue on to a Master's degree.
Make faster progress with nathan's helpDiscover Nathan's profile with esf des MenuiresSnowboarding in Les Menuires
In the end, the call of the mountains was stronger and Nathan returned to his valley. Thanks to his experience in the French team, he was able to fast-track his monitorat exam. After three two-week courses, training spread over two winters and the Eurotest, he is now a ski and snowboard instructor with esf Les Menuires.
Although he taught at weekends and during the holidays when he was still a student, Nathan completed his first full season last winter. He particularly enjoys giving lessons to teenagers, with whom he can diversify the routes and exercises while maintaining a fun, light-hearted atmosphere.
Although he taught at weekends and during the holidays when he was still a student, Nathan completed his first full season last winter. He particularly enjoys giving lessons to teenagers, with whom he can diversify the routes and exercises while maintaining a fun, light-hearted atmosphere.
His favourite spots for snowboarding in Les Menuires? The Pointe de la Masse area, La Becca and Roc 2.
A strong desire to promote snowboarding
Nathan regrets that snowboarding is not well perceived by the older generation, to the point where some parents refuse to enrol their children, believing it to be a more dangerous activity. However, "there are more falls at the beginning, but they don't hurt as much", says the young instructor.
In his opinion, snowboarding offers far more possibilities than downhill skiing: "if you master it, snowboarding allows you to go much further and have fun, especially on spring snow".
In his opinion, snowboarding offers far more possibilities than downhill skiing: "if you master it, snowboarding allows you to go much further and have fun, especially on spring snow".
Are you planning a trip to Les Menuires to make the most of the last days of the season? Book snowboarding lessons with the esf and let Nathan introduce you to his sport!
yOuR yOuNg PEOPLE WILL LOVE SNOWBOARDING!Nathan will be sharing all his experience with them