National Schools Snowsport Week comes to Devon

A brand new initiative aimed at encouraging more schools to introduce their pupils to skiing and snowboarding will run in Devon this April as part of a national programme.

‘National Schools Snowsport Week sponsored by Visit Andorra’, which is being backed by Winter Olympians Aimee Fuller and Graham Bell, is running from 22 – 29 April 2016 and will include taster sessions and activities at both Plymouth Ski and Snowboard Centre and Torquay Alpine Ski Club.

From Friday 22nd April to Friday 29th April, Torquay Alpine Ski Club will offer discounted ski taster lessons and introduction to ski racing for schools.

And from Monday 25th to Friday 29th April schools ski lessons will be half price at Plymouth Ski and Snowboard Centre. Sessions last one hour and include all equipment.

The new national initiative run by National Governing Body Snowsport England and backed by Visit Andorra is 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 at www.nssw.co.uk

Graham Bell, five-time Olympian and presenter of BBC's Ski Sunday said of National Schools Snowsports Week: "There is nothing better than standing on a ski slope, the adrenalin rushing through your body as you start your descent - whether that is in the Alps or on an artificial ski slope. I wish every child could have the chance to give snowsports a go and enjoy that feeling, which is why 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, at some slopes there are ski racing taster sessions, so we might even find our next Winter Olympic Champion!"

Winter Olympian and GB Park and Pipe Snowboarder Aimee Fuller said: "National Schools Snowsport Week; what a great idea! If you want to snowboard professionally then getting into it when you are young is key. Skiing and snowboarding are also really social and fun sports, through snowboarding I have met some of my best friends and had the opportunity to travel the world competing. It also is a great way to stay fit and strong. It is great seeing big school groups at the slopes in the UK, and hopefully this initiative will get even more schools giving it a go."

For more information visit www.nssw.co.uk and on Twitter @SnowsportEng #SchoolSnowsport