JANUARY 2026 UPDATE
In this January update we are delighted to confirm the Scottish athletes that have been selected to Team GB for the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
It is in moments like these we nod our heads in acknowledgement of the sheer commitment and support given by so many to achieve the goal. The journey is long and the prize hard-fought for.
Across the nation we hope you will therefore join with us in celebrating this very special moment for each athlete and wish them the very best of luck over the next few weeks. Let them be an inspiration to us all…
Iain Ramsay-Clapham CEO
FIVE SCOTS MAKE SELECTION TO TEAM GB
As many nations announce their teams for the upcoming Winter Games, here we confirm the Scots that have been selected to Team GB.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN CENTRES: A POSITIVE START TO THE WINTER
With good early season snow, diversification and snowmaking plans the outlook is brighter than it has been for a long time.
SMART PLANNING FOR MOUNTAIN DAYS
The snow is on the hills and we are hopefully in for a great season - now is the time to get yourself clued up on mountain safety. The #ThinkWINTER mindset is all about planning ahead and making smart decisions before heading into the mountains. Check the weather, snow and avalanche forecasts, make sure you have the right winter clothing, equipment, food and drink, and choose routes that match your experience and fitness. Be flexible with your plans if conditions change, tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back, and know how to call for help in an emergency.
Taking a few simple steps can make all the difference to staying safe and enjoying winter adventures.
Find out more on keeping safe in the hills on the new #ThinkWINTER website below:
WHY SLOVAKIA’S LIPTOV REGION IS A SMART CHOICE FOR FEBRUARY HALF TERM
Thinking about a family ski holiday this February half term but worried about crowds, cost, or complexity? Slovakia’s Liptov Region offers a calm, snow-sure alternative to the Alps — with wide beginner-friendly slopes, evening skiing, fun and relaxation in some of Slovakia’s best waterparks, excellent ski schools, and great value for families. Discover why this undiscovered corner of Europe could be your smartest half-term choice.
NEW CUSTOMISED SIT SKI OPENS DOORS FOR ADAPTIVE NORDIC SKIING IN SCOTLAND
A new customised sit ski is transforming access to adaptive Nordic skiing in Scotland, giving more people the opportunity to experience the sport for the first time. Designed in collaboration with a local engineer and funded by the Arnold Clark Fund, the new rig will support local training in Fife while helping to grow inclusive skiing opportunities nationwide.
NEW DOCUMENTARY OFFERS INSIGHT INTO BRITAIN’S SNOWSPORT STARS IN THE LEAD UP TO THE WINTER GAMES
She Who Dares offers unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to some of Britain’s leading female Freestyle ski and snowboard athletes on their journey towards the Winter Games, including Scottish star Kirsty Muir. Filmed over almost a year, the documentary follows Muir alongside Zoe Atkin, Charlotte Bankes, Mia Brookes and Makayla Gerken Schofield, as well as GB Snowsport CEO Vicky Gosling, giving viewers a rare insight into the dedication, resilience and ambition driving women’s snowsport at the very highest level. Available on TNT Sports and discovery+ at the end of this month.
FROM FIRST SLIDES TO PROUD SMILES - AUSTRIA MAKES LEARNING TO SKI FEEL EASY
If you’re new to skiing – or helping your child progress from first turns to confident blue runs – Austria sets the standard. In the Zillertal valley, gentle beginner slopes, English-speaking ski schools and wide, immaculately groomed pistes create a calm, supportive environment where learning comes first. Playful children’s areas, small-group lessons and excellent lift infrastructure help skiers progress naturally, while parents enjoy the reassurance of safe terrain and welcoming mountain villages, Austria is the perfect place to build skills that last a lifetime.
UNLOCK YOUR ON-SNOW POTENTIAL: DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
ON PISTE LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Take your instructing or coaching to the next level with the On-Piste Leadership Skills Module, on the 5th February and the 1st March. This dynamic course empowers UKSS ski and snowboard instructors, as well as UKSS Alpine Race and P+P coaches, with the confidence and practical leadership skills needed to operate independently at Scottish mountain resorts, expanding the remit of your existing qualification. Designed to be hands-on, engaging, and highly relevant to real-world mountain environments, this module opens the door to new opportunities on snow — and it’s eligible for 50% grant support through the Women & Girls Fund.
SNOWBOARD AND SKI INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT DAYS
We’ve added a new Instructor Development Days to the calendar, led by our own Snowsport Scotland Tutors. Taking place at Glenshee on 22nd February (Snowboard) and at Glencoe on the 11th April (Ski), these one-day courses cost only £59 (lift pass not included) and is designed to support instructors and leaders at all stages. With small group sizes and personalised coaching, the day offers CPD revalidation (3 years), preparation for Level 1 or 2 assessments, or support for conversion to the UKSS Snowboard Instructor pathway, providing a flexible and supportive way to develop skills and progress qualifications.
SAVE BIG ON YOUR MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Join us and support our Scottish athletes and the sport you love.
Through JustGo, unlock exclusive discounts with leading brands including Bern, Decathlon, Helly Hansen, and Danish Endurance, alongside reduced mountain uplift tickets, savings on insurance, and retail offers designed to elevate your snowsports experience.
By becoming part of our community, you’re not just saving, you’re helping fuel a shared vision for growth, advocacy, and meaningful change. Discover what’s possible when collaboration meets momentum. Together, we can move mountains.
