Second National Schools Snowsport Week dates announced as four Winter Olympians back the initiative

The second ever National Schools Snowsport Week (www.nssw.co.uk) will take place from 24-30 April 2017 and is backed by Winter Olympians Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Dave Ryding, Aimee Fuller and Graham Bell.

Aimed at encouraging more schools to introduce their pupils to snowsports, the Snowsport England initiative will work with slopes across the country to offer taster ski and snowboard sessions at heavily discounted prices to primary and secondary schools, as well as sixth form colleges. As well as taster sessions, classes or even whole schools may also be offered alternative snow activities such as tobogganing and tubing and even racing or freestyle taster sessions at some slopes.

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards said: “I am a huge supporter of grass roots skiing and snowboarding and think that taking up skiing when you are at school is the perfect time to catch the bug. I started skiing when I was 13 and have lived and breathed it for my whole life. If you want to become the next Winter Olympian, or simply just hit the slopes with your friends, skiing or snowboarding is worth giving a go. Speak to your teacher and get them to sign your school up to National Schools Snowsport Week.”

Delancey British Alpine Team skier Dave Ryding said: “I started skiing on a dry slope when I was at school and loved getting out on the slopes after school and at weekends. There is no better sport to stay active whilst spending time with friends. I am supporting National Schools Snowsport Week because I want children of all ages and all backgrounds to be given the chance to try skiing or snowboarding.”

Winter Olympian and GB Park and Pipe Snowboarder Aimee Fuller said: “National Schools Snowsport Week is a great way to give young people who may not have considered skiing or snowboarding before the chance to give them a go. Both sports have so much to give socially and are a great way to stay active. If you wanted to consider taking skiing or snowboarding up as a profession, the younger the better, but it’s never too late! Being able to start at school is the perfect intro!”

Graham Bell, five-time Olympian and presenter of BBC’s Ski Sunday said: “I wish every child could have the chance to give snowsports a go and enjoy that feeling of sliding down a slope, adrenalin rushing through your body. National Schools Snowsports Week is such a great idea; not only will children from a range of backgrounds get to give skiing or snowboarding a go, we might even find our next Winter Olympic Champion!”

The activities at different slopes are open to all school ages and to any school keen to get involved. Schools can join in with whole classes, whole year groups, or even with just a handful of students. They can find all the information about how they can get involved and which slopes are participating in National Schools Snowsport Week at www.nssw.co.uk and on Twitter @SnowsportEng #SchoolSnowsport . National Schools Snowsport Week compliments Snowsport England’s national snowsports participation campaign GO SKI GO BOARD.