Scotland’s biggest urban snowsports festival celebrated the UK’s best ski and snowboard athletes, at the weekend, when the Scottish Snowsports Festival turned Edinburgh’s City Centre into a world-class ski resort.
Competitors came from across the UK to vie for top spot in the freestyle Scottish International Rail Jam and the Cross –Country super sprint on Saturday 17th December 2011.
Three competitors were crowned overall winners of the freestyle event after a series of impressive jumps, twists, jumps on the rails and boxes set up on the 7 metre high, 40 metre long and 15 metre wide slope. Sissy Herant (16 from Stoke on Trent) was the overall female winner, Tyler Harding (15 from Manchester) was the overall male ski winner and Connor Carey (19 from Glasgow) was the overall male snowboard winner.
The slope was the central part of the urban snow park, which was erected in the shadow of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. The purpose built hill was covered in more than 50 tons of real snow, thanks to support from SNO!zone Scotland and Ski-Scotland.
Snowsport Scotland also transformed Princes Street into the track for the exciting Cross Country Roller ski sprint.
There was also an easy –ski slope which hosted free ski lessons throughout the day for members of the public to enjoy and try out their own skills. In addition, there was free Cross Country Ski taster sessions, DJ’s and a host of winter sports exhibitor’s on site that all brought an electric atmosphere to the city’s main street.
Jane Harvey, Chief Executive of Snowsport Scotland says: “The Scottish Snowsports Festival was a fantastic event and really has helped us to continue to put Scotland on the international snowsports and winter festival scene. We would like to congratulate Sissy, Connor and Tyler on showcasing some of the very best tricks and jumps, which lead them to be crowned the winners of the day. Freestyle skiing and snowboarding as well as cross-country skiing are both ever-growing sports and these youngsters are dedicated at becoming the very best in their disciplines. These events help Snowsport Scotland nurture and celebrate young talent and we were delighted that the second Snowsports Festival was bigger and better than we ever imagined.”
The event, which is supported by EventScotland, takes place in the final month of the year of Active Scotland.
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer, EventScotland said:
“The Scottish Snowsports Festival has featured some of the UKs top winter athletes, with the action set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and the festival has been a wonderful advert for Scottish snowsport as we approach the end of the Year of Active Scotland.”
Scottish Snowsports Festival event partners are Snowsport Scotland, SnoZone! Scotland, Ski-Scotland and EventScotland.