This Saturday (2 March), the Calshot Activities Centre in Hampshire is staging a Mountain Sports Festival.  With competitions and taster sessions, it is the ideal opportunity for all the family to com and have a go at skiing or snowboarding. 

Following the massive success of last year’s Cally Jam and Ultimate Climber competition, this year’s Mountain Sports Festival will feature competitions on both the ski slopes and the climbing wall, plus taster sessions for spectators.

The taster sessions will be running all afternoon (from 1pm-5pm) for climbing, skiing and snowboarding. 

Register on arrival for a half-hour ski/board taster session.  Numbers will be limited so arrive in good time to ensure a place (pre-booking is not available).  The minimum age for these sessions are 7 for skiers, 11 for boarders.  The climbing will be on a first-come-first-served basis, and the minimum age is 7 years. 

For keen climbers, the Ultimate Climber competition starts at 1pm.  Entry costs £12 for adults/£10 for under 18s.  Competitors will be divided into four categories: men; ladies; 13-16 yrs; and under 12s.  There will be four separate rounds: speed, dyno, bouldering and difficulty, with points awarded for each round.  The title of Ultimate Climber will be awarded to the climber with the highest points in each category, with prizes also for the first two places overall in each category, plus the winner of each round.  Calshot recommend that you have some previous climbing experience; beginners are not encouraged to compete.

The main event of the day – the ‘Cally Jam’ – will take place on the slopes at 7pm, with ramps and rails on the slope.  This competition is open to freestyle skiers and snowboarders (not beginners!); entry costs £12 for adults/£10 for under 18s.   Competitors choose their own tricks and will have one and a half hours in which to show off their skills, combined with fun challenges (with spot prizes).  Prizes will be awarded to the two top skiers and snowboarders overall. 

The freestyle and climbing competitions will end by 8.30pm, with prize-giving at 9pm. The centre’s Spinnakers bar will be open all day for food and refreshment. 

Calshot Activities Centre is one of the largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in Britain.   It is located at Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton SP45 1BR.  There’s more information about the day out plus detailed timetables on their website. 

It promises to be an excellent day out!

 

[Images from the Calshot Activities Centre Facebook page]