With snowsports catching the imagination of the public after this year’s Winter Olympics, Alpine Snowsports Southampton is launching a new Snowsports Satellite Club aimed at 11-18 year olds.

The Club, which has been funded by Sport England’s Satellite Club initiative and facilitated by Sport Hampshire & IOW, will be officially opened on Thursday 30^th October 2014 with special guest, Winter Olympic bronze medalist Jenny Jones. The event will form part of a national initiative run by Snowsport England called ‘30 Days of Snowsport’.

For those people inspired by Sochi 2014, the Snowsports Satellite Club launch will give young people the opportunity to experience skiing or snowboarding for the first time, or for those people who can already ski or snowboard there will be GO SKI GO BOARD TRY taster sessions in ski racing and freestyle at a venue that is accessible to them all year round. All sessions will be led by fully qualified instructors and will run alongside race and freestyle demonstrations from the experts.

Alongside the slope activity there will be the chance to listen to Jenny Jones talk about how she got into snowsports and her journey to the Winter Olympics.

Throughout the evening there will be music, competitions and BBQ on offer for skiers and snowboarders who have worked up an appetite, or just for those watching. The Snowsports Club will run on Thursdays during term time from 5-7pm and slope time is open to 11-18 year olds, but parents and others are welcome to watch.

Priya Samuel, Satellite Clubs Development Manager, Sport Hampshire & IOW said: “We are delighted that Winter Olympic Bronze medalist Jenny Jones will join us for the official launch of the Snowsports Satellite Club. The Satellite Club initiative is aimed at providing young adults with enjoyable, safe environments to take part in sport. Jenny excited many people with her performance in Sochi, and we are hoping that young people will be inspired by her attendance.”

Hayley Walker from Alpine Snowsports Southampton said: “The Snowsports Satellite Club is aimed at giving 11-18 year olds the chance to try snowsports, continue their participation in a fun, safe environment. Snowsports is a great way to get fit and active without even realising it. We believe there is a real demand for a new club and hope to see a big uptake following the launch.”

Booking for the launch event is essential and costs £5 per person for those taking to the slope. To book call the slope directly on 0300 0200 135 or email [email protected]. For more information on Alpine Snowsports Southampton you can like them on Facebook – “Alpine Snowsports, Southampton”, follow them on twitter @sotonsnowsports, or visit www.activenation.org.uk

‘30 Days of Snowsport’ is an initiative which runs at both slopes nationwide as well as online to celebrate the start of the winter season and get people excited about snowsports. All 30 Days of Snowsport online activities will run on www.goskigoaboard.org.uk/30days and Snowsport England’s Twitter @Snowsport_Eng.

GO SKI GO BOARD is Snowsport England’s national participation campaign aimed at getting people into, and back into snowsports. Alpine Snowsports Southampton run a range of GO SKI GO BOARD sessions. For more information visit www.goskigoboard.org.uk