Today is the third World Snow Day, a worldwide initiative by the international Ski Federation to promote snow sports and the love of snow particularly to the next generation.
At the last count 610 different organisations were organise events and promotions (such as free skiing) in 35 countries right around the northern hemisphere and even on dry slopes in the southern hemisphere too.
Some of the countries who have really taken World snow Day on board include Norway where they're repeating last year's 'Apen Bakke' (Open Day) and 72 resorts have offered free skiing to an estimated 120,000 participants. In Austria 138 resorts have offered ski school for children for as little as five Euros and there have been free ski and snowboard lessons from 37 ski and snowboard schools in Poland.
Scotland also took part in World Snow Day, more actively than in the previous two years, thanks to the superb snow conditions in the western and central Highlands.
Events included the UK's first Zibob-Cross racing for adults and children, igloo-building demos, snowman-building competition and free sledging at Glencoe; an Olympic "snowball coconut" shy, Olympic fancy dress fun race, ski demos and ski and snowboard taster sessions at Glenshee; free hot chocolate for the best skier, boarder and sledger fancy dress costumes and half price offers – ski or board for the price of a gondola ticket – at Nevis Range; and ski race coaching taster sessions, snow-shoeing and ski and board demos at CairnGorm. Both Nevis Range and Glenshee are also organising snow sculpting competitions. Scotland's other real snow ski area, Snow Factor in Glasgow, is also offering free taster lessons, discounts and pre-booked free sledging for kids with a paying adult.
"Although we have had plans in place in previous years, this is the first time the mountain ski areas have had good snow for the day itself to allow us to offer exciting, fun events to 'bring the children to the snow' which is the stated aim of World Snow Day," said Chair of Ski-Scotland Heather Negus.
"The interest in World Snow Day is growing at a phenomenal rate. The first edition had 225 events, the second year included 435 events and now we have an astonishing 610 events," FIS President Gian Franco Kasper, "The dedication and creativity of the local Organisers has been outstanding and our sincere congratulations go to all of them. We hope all the children and families that take part have an exciting day that they will remember for years."