What are the Independent Schools Ski Championships?
The Independent Schools Ski Championships (ISSC) is a five-day schools ski racing event held in Les 2 Alpes every December. The event consists of three days of professional coaching and two days of professionally organised ski racing.
This means that it’s not only a fantastic option for an early season school ski trip, it also offers keen racers the opportunity to compete against their peers in one of the best ski resorts in Europe.
Where and when is it held?
The ISSC is held every December in Les 2 Alpes. Home to one of the largest glaciers in Europe and known for its fantastic, reliable snow conditions, Les 2 Alpes also boasts three different racing stadia at different heights, so the competition is always held under the best available conditions. This makes it the perfect choice for an early season school ski racing event.
What does it involve?
The ISSC runs for five days, which includes three days of ski race training and two days of competition. There are giant slalom and slalom events, with team and individual prizes, and there are also parallel team slalom events.
The event is managed by Halsbury Ski, one of the UK’s leading school ski tour operators and the race days are managed by a British and French team of experienced race staff, including ESF and Impulse, a specialist ski school based in the UK.
Who can take part?
The ISSC is open to all schools who want to provide their keen skiers with the exciting experience of racing their peers at one of the best resorts in Europe. The event also welcomes individual racers whose schools are not taking part, as long as they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian.
What are the benefits for students?
The great thing about the ISSC is that it offers different things for different students. For the more experienced skiers, it offers the opportunity to enjoy some early season ski racing and can be seen as a training camp.
For keen skiers who have never raced before it offers the perfect introduction to ski racing and the chance to compete against their peers in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
We’re getting more and more students using the event to film evidence for their GCSE and A-level PE assessments. We can provide advice and assistance to any groups interested in this option as one of our team is a former PE teacher and moderator.
What’s included?
Full pre-departure support is provided by the ISSC team. This includes a personal visit from a race adviser if required, marketing and other promotional material, and guidance on risk assessments.
Also included are return flights from the UK and overseas transfers, three days of professional ski racing coaching, two days of professionally organised races, ski hire or carriage, full area lift pass, full-board accommodation, in-resort support and an evening entertainment programme. There will also be a prize-giving ceremony at the end of the week.
All participants will also receive a free event hoodie as a souvenir of their time at the ISSC!
What do others say about the event?
“For us, the event is great as it gives our more experienced skiers a chance to compete and gives the less experienced skiers a chance to have fun and learn!” – Whitgift School
“I would strongly recommend the ISSC to schools who want an experience of racing in a friendly but competitive environment. We have come every year.” – Wycombe Abbey School
How do I sign up?
Bookings for our 2020 event will be opening soon. Go to our website to register your details. Places fill up quickly so don’t delay!
W: schoolskichampionships.com/booking-registration/
T: 0115 9407 185
