Oberhofen, 5. October 2022
SnowKidz Reaches 5000 Events and Actions
SnowKidz has a seen a quick rise after its relaunch in 2013. Within a 3 years of going live, the programme rose to over 500 events and action in one season. By 2018 the programme rose to 800 events and actions in a 12 month period.
The success of SnowKidz can be attributed to five key factors. They are the dedication of the Event Organisers, the direct line of communication to FIS, flexibility in the timing of events, equal opportunity to all Organisers no matter their size or stature and the support features themselves.
FIS Secretary General Michel Vion commented: “I had the privilege of being on the FIS Council when FIS began the SnowKidz programme in 2009. At the time we did not imagine the programme would reach the 5’000 milestone so quickly. It really is a testament to the motivation of the snow sports community. Chapeau bas.”
In the journey to reach 5’000 events and actions, SnowKidz has some wide reaching, creative and impactful actions. Amongst them is the Grade 4 & 5 Snowpass which sees all students in Grade 4 & 5 in Canada receive 2 days of skiing or snowboarding at multiple resorts throughout Canada for just $29.95. Equally impactful is Japans “Snow4Free” program operated by the Prince Hotels. In this programme all kids 12 and under ski for free at 12 Prince Hotels ski resorts in Japan. Complementing these actions are eight titans of SnowKidz, SKI4ALL (POR), School Promotion Program (ESP), Everyone on Snow (SWE), Snow Moves! (FIN), SnowKidz Czech (CZE), Tiroler Schulskitage (AUT) and the Brietensport programmes of the Swiss-ski. Each of these programmes have set up season long tours which target school kids throughout their respective countries. Working with schools and embedding skiing and snowboarding into the school system has yielded strong results. The above mentioned programs account for 51% of the 4.6 million children who have been brought to the snow since SnowKidz began.
Looking to the future and SnowKidz is on track for continued success. According to the latest annual report SnowKidz will most likely fuflil its goal of 6’000 events and actions by 2025, reach its event retention goal of 85% and fulfil its secondary goals in environmental conservation and safety. To add to this SnowKidz will be adding new support features to assist Organisers. These include the Mountain 10, Special Olympics 10 and SnowKidz Shred Parks.
FIS would like to thank all the Organisers, partners, sponsors, fans and most importantly event participants for their continued support in SnowKidz. We look forward to sharing the next SnowKidz 5’000 events with you.
For more information contact:
Andrew Cholinski Coordinator Bring Children to the Snow snowkidz@fisski.com
+41 (0) 33 244 6161
About FIS
FIS is the governing body for international skiing and snowboarding, founded in 1924 during the first Olympic Games in Chamonix, France. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIS manages the Olympic disciplines of Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding, including setting the international competition rules. Through its 128 member nations, more than ’500 FIS ski and snowboard competitions are staged annually. Specific initiatives are undertaken by FIS to promote snow activities as a healthy leisure recreation, notably for the young. For more information, please visit www.fis-ski.com