An annual initiative to get more people to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time by offering free or heavily discounted first-timer sessions at England’s indoor snow and dry slopes has been a major success according to organisers Snowsport England.
The now annual 30 Days of Snowsport initiative in the autumn saw 21 snowsports clubs and facilities offer 596 opportunities to participate in skiing or snowboarding. This meant 8500 people engaged with snowsports during the month-long initiative, 1500 more than in 2017.
Tamworth SnowDome (pictured top) and Kendal Snowsports Club saw huge numbers passing through their doors throughout October, and at North Staffs Ski Club those new to snowsports were able to try it for the first time for free (pictured bottom).
Dan Norgrove, Marketing Assistant at SnowDome said: “30 Days of Snowsport is a great addition for the SnowDome during October. The additional taster sessions and beginner lessons we put on are always hugely popular and 30 Days of Snowsport helps raise awareness of those lessons and our facility. The event helps kickstart the winter season and gets more people involved in our exciting sports.”
There were sessions at Snozone Castleford for visually impaired skiers and there were taster sessions on offer at the Ski and Snowboard Open Weekend in Chatham.
In York people were encouraged to try roller skiing for the first time with open sessions at the York Go Rollerski Club. Pupils from Thameside Primary are pictured above giving it a go!
First time participant at York Go Roller Ski Club Session Christine said: “We loved learning how to roller ski and we were thrilled to find out at the end of two hours that we looked like cross country skiers…from the waist down! Such a fun evening for all involved, thank you!”
Snowsport England run a number of other initiatives to encourage more people to try snowsports each year. These include the National Schools Snowsport Week which will return from Monday 23rd June to Sunday 30th June 2019 giving school and college students free or low cost opportunities to get their first taste of snowsports. The 2018 week 3410 participants from 103 schools and youth groups taking advantage of one of the 104 sessions run and 20 slopes or clubs across the country.
Snowsport England continues to bring new people into skiing and snowboarding year round as part of their ongoing participation campaign Go Ski Go Board. The website 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 and snowboarding, a UK slope map, a club & activity finder and information on getting into competitive snowsports.
