Only five days to go until the largest winter event in the world. Join the Ski Club of Ireland in association with the SSAI to celebrate the annual FIS World Snow Day on 19th January, 2014. World Snow Day was established to bring children and teenagers along with their families, to “Explore, Enjoy and Experience” the joy of snow and winter sports both at home and abroad.
52 locations across the world have committed to celebrating World Snow Day in 20 countries. The initiative falls under FIS’s ‘Bring Children to the Snow’ campaign. Since its creation in 2007, this campaign celebrates winter sports as a fun, healthy and social recreational activity for children of all fitness levels and capabilities.
Ski Club of Ireland President and former Winter Olympic competitor, Shane O’Connor, is delighted that Ireland is involved with such an important day, “We want to communicate with the public that winter sports has something for everyone. We hope that the enthusiasm of all the other countries involved will encourage young children to take to the snow for the first time, congratulate those who already partake whilst simultaneously hoping to foster a future generation of snow lovers.”
The Snow Sports Association of Ireland, who are funding World Snow Day event, is also the foundation behind the Irish Ski team competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, this February. Among the team of five athletes is the remarkable snowboarder Seamus O’Connor. With a top three world ranking in the slopestyle event, Seamus could have declared for the USA or Russia but instead chose Ireland. Joining Seamus is Conor Lyne, a Kerry native who has already represented Ireland at the 2011 and 2013 World Championships, as well as sisters, Florence and Victoria Bell, who will be making these games the most exciting for us yet.
January 19th will see the World Snow Day festivities get under way in Kilternan, home of the Ski Club of Ireland. With activities for all ages including tubing for the little ones, free style for the big ones and ski lessons starting at €15 for everyone. Once all the exhilarating activities are finished join the after party with some famous German bratwurst and while enjoying some BIG SCREEN winter sport games.
You don’t have to know anything about skiing or snowboarding to participate – just bring an open mind and the willingness to have a great time while becoming a part of the first chapter towards building the biggest snow day in the world.