Riccardo Mareliati

Snowboard Instructor

HIGHLY recommend!

"I had Ricardo for private snowboarding lessons and HIGHLY recommend! He was so patient and I felt very safe learning under him. He also made the experience SO fun so even when it was difficult it didn’t feel so much that way - like learning with a friend vs. purely an instructor. Thank you for teaching me my new hobby!!"

Anna I

He was brilliant!

"My husband, Lee, and I are complete beginners and we booked a private snowboard lesson. We had Ricky as an instructor and he was brilliant! Very friendly, very good at teaching, I think we progressed more in the two hour lesson then we would've in a few days if we had tried on our own. We were very happy with our lesson! Thanks Ricky!"

Julia Oh

My son had a great experience

"My son had a great experience, took snowboarding lessons with Ricky, and became quite confident in only three days. We booked quite late for the most busy week of the year, but the staff was amazing and found an instructor for us, basically making our holiday unforgettable ! Thank you so much for everything!"

Lucia

Languages

English

French

Italian

Get to know Ricky

Hello, I’m Riccardo Mareliati, but feel free to call me Ricky. My journey on the snow began back when I was just eight years old, thanks to my brother, who introduced me to the exhilarating world of snowboarding in the picturesque Italian Alps of Sauze d’Oulx. Over the years, this childhood passion blossomed into a competitive career, allowing me to challenge myself on national and European stages. Eventually, I decided to hang up my competitive boots and redirect my energy into becoming a snowboarding instructor. It’s incredibly rewarding to share my love for the sport and watch others fall in love with it too.

My snowboard is my passport to freedom, particularly when I’m indulging in freestyle and freeride sessions. Some of my fondest memories involve freeriding with my brother, moments that encapsulate the true essence of adventure and freedom. As an instructor, nothing beats the thrill of teaching someone their first 360. It’s these moments of shared joy and achievement that fuel my passion for teaching.

When the snow melts, I switch gears to downhill mountain biking and work as a bike mechanic, blending my love for outdoor sports with hands-on tinkering. I’m also a car enthusiast, working as a car tester across Europe, which keeps my life dynamic and adventurous year-round.

I’ve been instructing for five years now, with Val Thorens, Meribel, and Courchevel being my playgrounds. I specialize in piste snowboarding, off-piste adventures, and splitboarding, and I offer lessons in English, French, and Italian. Whether it’s on snow or wheels, I’m all about pushing the limits and exploring the thrill of the ride.