Slopes across England are set to run free or heavily discounted activities as part of the second National Schools Snowsport Week sponsored by Visit Andorra (www.nssw.co.uk). Taking place from 24-30 April 2017 this year’s event is backed by Winter Olympians Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Dave Ryding, Aimee Fuller and Graham Bell.

The Snowsport England initiative, which encourages schools to introduce their pupils to snow sports, will involve 20 slopes who will offer taster ski and snowboard sessions at heavily discounted prices. The week is targeted at individual pupils or full classes at primary and secondary schools, as well as sixth form colleges across England.

Offers include a 60-minute beginner taster sessions for £1.00 at Runcorn Snowsports Centre, a 50-minute taster session at Ski Rossendale for £4.00 per and an hour of skiing and 30 minutes of ringos for £7.00 at Sandown Snowsports Centre. Several slopes are also offering discounted sessions for young people out of school-time and at weekends.  

Joaquim Tomas from Visit Andorra said “We are delighted to sponsor National Snow Sports Week for the second year. In Andorra, we have extensive facilities for beginners and intermediates whether in school groups or travelling as a family. Factor in our low VAT rate (4.5%, compared to 20% in France) and Andorra is ideal and affordable for first time skiers or boarders”.

National Schools Snowsport Week ambassador Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards said: “I started skiing when I was 13 and have lived and breathed it for my whole life. Trust me, it is worth giving it a go and having fun with your friends. 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!”

Graham Bell, five-time Olympian and presenter of BBC's Ski Sunday said: "I wish every child could have the chance to give snow sports a go and enjoy that feeling of sliding down a slope, adrenalin rushing through your body.”

Schools can join in with whole classes, whole year groups, or a handful of students. Visit www.nssw.co.uk for details or follow Twitter @SnowsportEng #SchoolSnowsport .

Participating slopes include:

Ackers Adventure, Birmingham

Alpine Snowsports Centre, Southampton

Alpine Snowsports Centre, Aldershot     

Bracknell Ski and Snowboard Centre

Chatham Ski and Snowboard Centre

Chill Factore, Manchester

Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre

Gosling Ski and Board Centre

Precise Racing at Brentwood

Runcorn Snowsports Centre 
Sandown Snowsports Centre

Silksworth Ski Slope

Skiplex, Basingstoke

Skiplex, Readings

Ski Rossendale

Ski Torquay

SnowDome, Tamworth

Stoke Ski Centre

The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead and Hemel Ski Racing Club

Snowsport England

Snowsport England is the national governing body for snow sport in England: www.snowsportengland.org.uk, www.facebook.com/SnowsportEngland, @SnowsportEng on Twitter and @snowsportengland on Instagram

Snowsport England is responsible for growing participation in snow sports through direct funding from Sport England. As well as working closely with snow centres, artificial slopes and clubs to increase participation, Snowsport England also manages English squads and athletes across all the snow sport disciplines, as well as handling the training of coaches and officials.

Andorra

With 65 peaks over 2,000m high and 303 km of ski slopes, Andorra is a pioneer of winter tourism. With daily connections to Barcelona or Toulouse airport Andorra can be accessed by flights from across the UK.

Find more information at www.visitandorra.com