Calling all snow fans! Six reasons why the London Snow Show will supercharge your winter

The capital welcomes the winter sports event for the first time next weekend. Rebecca Miles has the lowdown

WHICH ski resort should I go to? What’s everyone wearing on the slopes this year? Where do I even start? Seeking the answers to these questions and more are 12,000 snow sports fans, due to descend on the all-new London Snow Show that’s taking place in partnership with the Evening Standard at ExCeL next weekend.

With more than a hundred brands, resorts, tour operators and associations gathering under one roof, along with a programme that includes 40 talks, workshops and panels on everything from inspirational tales delivered by Olympians to technique masterclasses, anyone with a hankering for the mountain life will find what they need for the winter ahead at the two-day event.

From face-painting in the family zone to roller-skiing training, a host of planned sessions and activities make this far more than just a chance to talk about your next ski holiday. Plus, you won’t be charged a penny for kids under 16 to enter, and once you’re in, everything’s included in the price. Still not convinced? Here are six more reasons to join us.

1 Because where else can you hear what it takes to fly off a massive ski jump?

Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards was Great Britain’s first — and only — Olympic ski jumper, and would launch himself into the air, off both 70 and 90-metre long jumps. He’ll be talking about how and why, on the Inspiration Stage alongside a host of other inspiring athletes, including Eve Muirhead, Olympic curling champion, and Millie Knight, a four-times medal-winning winter paralympian. As well as athletes spilling the beans on what it takes to excel, there’ll also be talks tackling the topics on the lips of many a seasoned skier: namely how can we break down the barriers to snowsport and how can we tackle climate change?