Still time to get involved with hundreds of sessions across the country
Snowsport England’s season-starting participation initiative, 30 Days of Snowsport (www.30daysofsnowsport.org.uk), has begun with a bang this October, with 21 clubs and facilities already offering over 600 opportunities to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
The opportunities have included taster sessions, open days and the biggest ever Futures Project at Kendal Snowsports Club, which saw 30 young skiers and snowboarders trying freestyle – some for the first time. At Snozone MK and Castleford, 29 blind and visually impaired people tried skiing for the first time last weekend, with huge success.
The mum of George, who has a visual impairment said of the session run by Outspan Rebels: “We weren’t sure how George would cope as he didn’t really have a clue what skiing was. However, his instructor was great and so patient. George smiled constantly for two hours. He had an absolutely amazing time and has decided that skiing is going to be his new hobby.”
With two weeks left of the nationwide initiative, people wanting to try a new sport, or indeed skiers and snowboarders wanting to get their ski legs back, are being urged to head down to their local slope or club and hit the slopes this October.
For people looking to get involved in the next two weeks, there are a multitude of opportunities that are either free or discounted. These include:
Saturday 13th October – Taster day @ North Staff Ski Club – FREE
Saturday 13th October – Taster and Open Session @ Kendal Ski Club
Sunday 14th October – ‘Try Roller Skiing Day’ @ Dorney Lake, Eton
Saturday 20th October – Open Session @ Manchester Cross Country Ski Club
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st October – Open Ski Sessions @Chatham Ski & Snowboard Centre
Various dates in October – ‘Ski or Snowboard Taster Sessions’ @ Chill Factore, Manchester
Everyday of October – ‘Learn to Ski or Snowboard Sessions’ @ SnowDome, Tamworth
30 Days of Snowsport runs until the 30th October with activities on offer throughout the month at indoor ski centres, dry slopes, snowsports clubs and roller ski venues. To find your nearest session or event visit www.30daysofsnowsport.org.uk
The initiative is part of a series of Snowsport England initiatives aimed at getting more people into skiing and snowboarding. Next year, National Schools Snowsport Week will again get school children on the slopes and GO SKI GO BOARD (www.goskigoboard.org.uk) continues to be the hub of everything to do with getting into snowsports. The website includes a guide on getting into skiing e and snowboarding, a slope map, a club & activity finder and information on getting into competitive snowsports.