This Sunday 18th January 2015, the 4th edition of World Snow Day will take place.
Organised by the International Ski Federation (FIS) with the aim of encouraging more people, particularly children, in to snow sports. The event is set to exceed previous numbers with 645 Events in 45 countries staging events to celebrate all things on snow.
The 4th edition of World Snow Day will include nationwide event in eight cointries, one more than last year. Austria, Canada, China, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Russia Sweden will stage events throughout their countries.
These nationwide events include: 'Apen Bakke' (Open Day) in Norway, where a record 103 resorts will open their doors to an estimated 130,000 participants for free skiing and snowboarding; School snow sports concept in Austria includes 138 resorts offering school children the chance to try snow sports for as little as five Euros; while in China 15 resorts across the country will support free and discounted passes for children.
In addition, World Snow Day in Latvia will see a record 113 events will take place with lessons, safety demonstrations and fun races included. Canadian Ski Patrol World Snow Day will host over 20 events to show children the fun of snow sports with an emphasis on safety. World Snow Day Iceland has a record nine resorts hosting free or discounted ski passes for families.
Half price children's lift passes at Serbia's major ski resorts, Mongolia's first World Snow Day with free lessons and passes at Sky Resort Ski Complex, Denmark's debut World Snow Day snow soccer event and free instruction for adults and free lift passes at Killington and Pico Mountain (USA) are just a few of the other World Snow Day activities
In Britain hopes are high that Scotland will be able to play a larger role than ever before in World Snow Day as all five areas are in good shape after heavy snowfall in the last few days.
Snow fun and events are planned at the five mountain ski areas and at indoor snow centre Snow Factor at Braehead near Glasgow.
"We expect that all, or most, of our mountain ski areas will be open and celebrating World Snow Day on Sunday," said Chair of Ski-Scotland, Heather Negus.
Events planned include taster sessions, discounts and fun events for children, in keeping with World Snow Day's theme of "bringing the children to the snow" and so encouraging future generations of skiers and snowboarders.
Glencoe Mountain will have children's races, an igloo building demo, snowman building competition, free sledging, free chairlift access for children and rides in the tracked Snowtrax "car".
Nevis Range has ten half price ski or boarding lesson packages available for complete beginners to book by phone on a 'first come' basis, half price snow shoe hire, a snowman building competition, sledging and some special World Snow Day après-ski.
Glenshee is offering under 16s free use of the Baddoch Chair, a fun ski race, sledging, a snowman making competition and a hot drink promo for parents.
All mountain events and competitions are dependent on snow, weather and roads conditions and everyone is advised to check these before leaving, on the official website www.ski-scotland.com/conditions.
Of course Snow Factor's indoor real snow is guaranteed and there on Sunday, kids accompanied by paying adults can get free lift passes, free sledging and can even eat free in the bar. More info about the Day's events at all the ski areas are on www.ski-scotland.com/worldsnowday .
"We certainly have some great fun on offer on Sunday," continued Heather, "and we are hopeful that all mountain ski areas will be open for World Snow Day."
"Many global events slow down or disappear by their third edition. This is not the case for World Snow Day," said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper, "Organisers have shown that there is a strong global drive to bring children to the snow. I congratulate the Organisers of the 4th edition of World Snow Day, you are the best this event has ever seen."
www.world-snow-day.com