Outside interest: snowboarding

Tetlow King Planning associate director Iain Warner talks about his enthusiasm for snowboarding.

How did you get into snowboarding?

Back in the noughties a friend of mine and his wife invited me to their chalet in France and handed me a snowboard. Being an adrenalin junkie-stroke-nutter I had a go.

What does it involve?

I would go every year, but time and the expense limits my snowboarding jaunts in France to once every other year. The snowboard is attached to the feet using a special boot set into a mounted binding and the Olympic sport is strenuous. So I keep in shape by running, mountain biking and gym-related activities. A board, boots, clothes and helmet can set you back £500 to £600.

Why do you do it?

The scenery is fantastic: nothing beats being way up a snow-covered mountain with sunshine and beautiful views. Also the rush of testing yourself against a slope and seeing how far and fast you can go without falling over is great fun. It's a managed-risk sport and bad accidents are rare.

What’s the toughest thing about it?
As I get older, trying to survive an entire week of aches and pains becomes more of a struggle.

What’s the most rewarding thing about it?

Clean lines: stepping off the cable car when you're the very first person at the top of a mountain and then sliding off, leaving clean lines in all that virgin snow is like nothing on earth.

Are there any similarities between your day job and snowboarding?

You have to plan ahead and think carefully for both planning and snowboarding, but snowboarding gets me away from work and believe me, being up a mountain minus your smartphone has much to recommend it.

Do you have any unusual interests or hobbies that you would like to tell us about? If so, please email planning@haymarket.com