 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm going to be trying this on Friday as a fundraiser for Snow Camp. I'm starting with Tamworth, then Chill Factore, Snozone Yorkshire, Snozone Milton Keynes and last up Hemel Hempstead.
The plan is to ski at least 10 runs at each venue and be back home in Brighton by 10/10.30pm - wish me luck!
FWIW you are very welcome to sponsor me and help raise funds for Snow Camp here
https://www.justgiving.com/page/25-for-25-snowcamp-challenge
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It's probably a good cause, but honestly these "challenges" are kind of stupid. Just needless car emissions for a couple of boring runs of indoor skiing that requires barely any skill. There must be a more interesting/creative way to raise some money.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| It's probably a good cause, but honestly these "challenges" are kind of stupid. Just needless car emissions for a couple of boring runs of indoor skiing that requires barely any skill. There must be a more interesting/creative way to raise some money. |
Brutal, but true. The money youvwould spend on fuel, plus a bit for wear & tear in the car could be donated, then think of something with community benefit.
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| It's probably a good cause, but honestly these "challenges" are kind of stupid. Just needless car emissions for a couple of boring runs of indoor skiing that requires barely any skill. There must be a more interesting/creative way to raise some money. |
Or alternatively a great way of peaking the interest of some people to try and raise money for a good cause?
Because out of interest, what do you think the need is of your "holiday" to the mountains? Just needless aeroplane/car emissions for your own personal benefit where 99% of your day barely requires any skill. There must be a more interesting/creative ways to holiday.
It's so easy to criticise.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| It's probably a good cause, .... There must be a more interesting/creative way to raise some money. |
I'm sure there are....I look forward to reading your thread about your plans.
In the meantime let those who do something positive get on with it without sniping.
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@rungsp, +1
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I agree that many so-called "charity challenge" exploits are just a way for people to do something they want to do anyway (like abseiling down a tall building or sky-diving) though I don't think this one is! It's hardly going to be a fun day out. But whatever, I don't think we should be comparing the merits of our "good causes".
People should get sponsored for doing things they'd dislike, or are scared of. For example take a short flight, pick up (non poisonous) spiders or snakes, spend a month without make-up, or without screens, or with just the finger nails they were born with. I'd be OK on the make up or nails challenge, fine with flying and could do the snakes with no problem and spiders if I tried hard. Absence of screens would be difficult..... no problem with TV etc as I rarely watch any, but the phone would be difficult. Worth it for a good cause, though.
No crisps would be a challenge. 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| boarder2020 wrote: |
| ..... Just needless car emissions for a couple of boring runs of indoor skiing that requires barely any skill.... |
I believe Ian is doing it in a EV, if that aligns with people's thoughts on low-impact transport.
Seems it's pretty easy to decry others' ambitions to do something they feel is worthy; if it ultimately helps raise awareness of the cause it's in aid of then I see no issue, whether or not there's skill involved or it it's not a particular hardship for the individual. Ian likes skiing, he runs a ski media company so I guess that where he's best suited to put his efforts, especially during May when there's no outdoor skiing in the UK.
| Origen wrote: |
| ....No crisps would be a challenge. |
a cheeseless month would take some doing I reckon
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| Specialman wrote: |
| I believe Ian is doing it in a EV, if that aligns with people's thoughts on low-impact transport. |
Does that really make that much difference? I haven't found a single definitely-impartial source on the web to answer that question.
I don't mind people flying to go on holiday. I don't mind people driving somewhere for a good reason - or even just going for a drive for pleasure. This particular trip though seems like driving a load of miles purely for the sake of making Ian more miserable and poorer! I also question whether snowsports an even remotely efficient way to get underprivileged children to have a zest for life? Introduce them to it and they'll never manage to do it a second time. What about something closer to home like sailing or canoeing?
All that said, Good Luck!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Origen, I agree with you in general terms about getting sponsored to do thinks that you dislike.
I abseiled down the vertical side of the Cheesegrater building in London a few years ago.
I knew I would hate every second..I am very afraid of heights.
I did hate it.
At the bottom the fundraising coordinator said "wow, wasn't that great! Can i sign you up for extra year?"
"NO you can't!!" I replied.
I had no embarrassment about asking for sponsorship 
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@rungsp, I just got the abseil email today...nope
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Origen wrote: |
People should get sponsored for doing things they'd dislike, or are scared of. |
I propose doing a sponsored night in the pub with @boarder2020 to have a debate about life and career choices.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@hang11,
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| James the Last wrote: |
I also question whether snowsports an even remotely efficient way to get underprivileged children to have a zest for life? Introduce them to it and they'll never manage to do it a second time. What about something closer to home like sailing or canoeing?
All that said, Good Luck! |
Yeah, it does seem a little strange ... it's an expensive holiday (including all the gear etc.) ... so does seem unlikely they'll be able to afford to do it again. I guess it's all about the experience though, and maybe for some of these kids this is the only holiday they've ever been on, so it's a week away from whatever challenges face them at home, and learning a new skill. I do think that, yeah, for the same money being spent they could maybe have 2 or 3 trips away, or take more people on a cheaper break, but ultimately people are doing good and trying to improve the lives of others, and unless we are doing something similar (giving up time, money, our expertise for charity ... and I don't do all of those things) then I personally wouldn't make any criticism of their efforts.
On a different note .. the whole "this isn't very eco, driving those distances" ... I mean, you can use those sorts of argument to "justify" not doing anything, ever.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Not sure I agree that the challenges should necessarily be things you dislike. Sounds a bit like sado-masochism to me.
I do think they should be challenging though rather than a jolly. And the money raised going to the charity rather than the event organisation.
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| T Bar wrote: |
Not sure I agree that the challenges should necessarily be things you dislike. Sounds a bit like sado-masochism to me.
I do think they should be challenging though rather than a jolly. And the money raised going to the charity rather than the event organisation. |
+1
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I wonder if @iainm knew that his, what seems to me fairly innocent post, would create such debate and ire. Such is the world in 2025 I guess.
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@Layne, I’m sure he knows.
Anyone who actually does anything, will be criticized once it’s on social media.
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Giving up your time to raise funds for charity is usually better than not, so I commend @iainm for doing something.
More generally I am more likely to support someone who will not only find their task challenging but doesn't really get any.benefit out of it. So if it is an overseas jaunt or similar they need to be contributing 100% of the costs (including a portion of the overhead costs).
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I think it’s wholly fitting to use snow sports as a means to raise money for a snow sports related charity.
It’s not like he is bobbing off to climb Kilimanjaro.
Good luck @iainm, !
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We all have limited finances and/or desire to give to charity so must operate some sort of filter. Mine (in order of importance) is:
1) What is the charity/cause - I have my own pet interests, opinions, experiences, etc.
2) Do I actually think the charity is legit, well run, likely to use funds wisely and to good effect
3) What are they doing - is it interesting, is it challenging
4) Who is doing it - I don't have to know or respect the person but it helps
There may be more I have forgotten.
Also worth noting, I am a bit of a tight arse but can be quite generous if you can crack at least 2 of the above
Also, also, you do have to be quite pushy to do this stuff. Somebody at work recently was lamenting how much she had raised but I only saw one brief message about her event. Others I have known have almost frogmarched me to the cashpoint!
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@zedzed_uk, @James the Last, you’ll be relieved to know that Snow camps is so much more than taking disadvantaged kids on one snow trip and then abandoning them. This was really quite easy info to find on their website and details how the participants undertake training and some go on to become instructors and also to facilitate younger kids joining the courses. Plus mental health and other support alongside. I suspect other charities already exist that will introduce kids to more accessible outdoor pursuits.
Good luck @iainm, I’ve made a small donation for your efforts.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@iainm, you've got to tell me how you can get 25 kids on the slopes for £2,500!
"I’m aiming to raise £2,500 to give 25 inner-city young people the chance to experience snowsports for the very first time in 2025."
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| abricotine wrote: |
@zedzed_uk, @James the Last, you’ll be relieved to know that Snow camps is so much more than taking disadvantaged kids on one snow trip and then abandoning them. This was really quite easy info to find on their website and details how the participants undertake training and some go on to become instructors and also to facilitate younger kids joining the courses. Plus mental health and other support alongside. I suspect other charities already exist that will introduce kids to more accessible outdoor pursuits.
Good luck @iainm, I’ve made a small donation for your efforts. |
@abricotine I think you can tell from the tone of my post that I was being broadly supportive, so the "you'll be relived to know" tone of your post comes across as somewhat sarcastic, and I'm not sure why.
Re: "snow camps is so much more than taking disadvantaged kids on one snow trip" ... (from reading the website) what I actually think Iain is raising money for is to get kids onto their "First Tracks" and "Graduate" programs, which involves time on (indoor?) slopes in the UK.
i.e. it's not the actual "snow camp" abroad per se (known as the Excel program), because you can only be on that if you've completed those "first tracks" and "graduate" programs. So the post and just giving page comment from Iain (i.e. "I’m aiming to raise £2,500 to give 25 inner-city young people the chance to experience snowsports for the very first time in 2025") doesn't specifically mean taking them away.
Perhaps it's the name "Snow Camp" that maybe gets us all thinking it's /all/ about an actual "camp" up the mountains/abroad, but it's actually a series of programs, the final one of which is actually time abroad. So .. I do stand corrected on that one 
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@zedzed_uk, apologies, no sarcasm or rudeness intended; it was simply a response to the ”can’t afford to do it a second time” and also the previous poster saying “they’ll never manage to do it again” — I was just pointing out in a clumsy way that it wasn’t just a one off thing.
Growing up, Skiing was definitely nowhere near my family’s radar for cost and to be honest class reasons (by which I mean it was just not something anyone we knew did, ever) so I love the idea of these kids getting a taster for snowsports and some opportunity for development beyond that.
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You know it makes sense.
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Regardless of views on @iainm's challenge and whether or not Snowcamp gets underprivileged kids onto skis or boards in the UK or abroad, the charity's aims are laudable.
North east England (ie where I live) includes some areas at the top of deprivation indices in England. I was very pleased to read that Snowcamp is planning on extending its reach to this neck of the woods - presumably with trips to Xscape at Castleford. Even if participants were to go only once, getting them out of their local area (and trying snowsports) can surely only be a good thing.
Through a teacher I know, I'm aware of cases of primary school children living within 5 or 6 miles of Durham city who (because of their backgrounds) had never visited the place and were astonished to see the beauty of the castle, cathedral and city on a school theatre outing. So anything (like Snowcamp) that gets kids from poor families out of their normal environment is surely to be applauded.
At a ski show 2 or 3 years back, I saw an inspirational talk by a lad whose life had been transformed by Snowcamp. After rarely leaving his inner city environment, he tried snowboarding with the charity. He ultimately went on to become involved in snowsports filming and now spends seasons in the Alps on his snowboard What a fantastic story.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Wed 28-05-25 20:00; edited 1 time in total
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@abricotine Ah no worries. And yeah, I'd agree, anything that expands the horizons is a good thing, and if breaks "social/class" boundaries then even better.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Regardless of views on @iainm's challenge and whether or not Snowcamp gets underprivileged kids onto skis or boards in the UK or abroad, the charity's aims are laudable.
North east England (ie where I live) includes some areas at the top of deprivation indices in England. Despite us having ski shops(!) and a dry ski slope at Sunderland, I would think that snowsports participation must be at quite low levels. Overall, I know less than a dozen fellow skiers or boarders, as it's just not what people do. Like an earlier poster said, it was certainly never a family thing and I knew of no one who went skiing when growing up (1970s secondary school trip that parents couldn't afford excepted).
In that context, I was very pleased to read that Snowcamp is planning on extending its reach to this neck of the woods - presumably with trips to Xscape at Castleford. Even if participants were to go only once, getting them out of their local area (and trying snowsports) can surely only be a good thing to enrich their lives.
Through a teacher I know, I'm aware of cases of primary school children living within 5 or 6 miles of Durham city who (because of their backgrounds) had never visited the place and were astonished to see the beauty of the castle, cathedral and city on a school theatre outing. So anything (like Snowcamp) that gets kids from poor families out of their normal environment is surely to be applauded.
At a ski show 2 or 3 years back, I saw an inspirational talk by a lad whose life had been transformed by Snowcamp. After rarely leaving his inner city environment, he tried snowboarding with the charity. He ultimately went on to become involved in snowsports filming and now spends seasons in the Alps on his snowboard What a fantastic story.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@mountainaddict, In 1963 my school in the North East, Annfield Plain Boy's Modern School had a school ski trip. Like most of my peers I didn't go on it, but clearly some did. The population in the area was either farmers or miners. It was not a rich area.
Where we lived in Burnhope I never realised that Durham had any tourist sites. TBH they are of no interest to a young child. We only went there to either go shopping (the indoor market was a particular favourite) , visit the swimming pool or a walk by the river and of course once a year the big meeting. We did, however, roam the fells a fair bit and even when we were very young would be out of the house almost all day.
When I go back I'm always astonished by the understated beauty I took for granted as a child
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@iainm, are you going to (live) stream it?
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Sponsored. Because @iainm, is doing something, and doing something is better than doing nothing. Doing nothing would still be better than kicking sand in the face of people who are doing something.
I’ve seen the snow camp kids on trips a couple of times. It was clearly an amazing experience for them.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
| When I go back I'm always astonished by the understated beauty I took for granted as a child |
Spot on @johnE. I did a work-related college course in Durham on a weekly, day-release basis for years in my youth, over 40 years ago. I used to go into the city centre most weeks during my lunchbreak. Seems incredible now that the magnificence of the castle and cathedral meant virtually nothing to me at the time! 
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@mountainaddict, I worked at Mothercare in Durham in the 80s. The staffroom had the best view ever..Cathedral and castle
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Great stuff @holidayloverxx!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Donation page is still open.....
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Phew. Quite a bit to catch up with here. Some points:
| Quote: |
| It's wholly fitting to use snow sports as a means to raise money for a snow sports related charity |
Kind of what I was thinking.
Indeed, I did drive in an EV, so there were zero tailpipe emissions. I charged at Tesla Superchargers on the way, which are
powered by renewable energy, so there's no emissions there either
| Quote: |
| Does Snow Camp's work make a difference? |
I guess it's a matter of opinion. Snow Camp is not just about giving inner city young people the chance to ski or snowboard, it's
about giving them life skills, a different outlook on what is possible in life and, in some cases, career progression in the industry.
It's a tricky area to tackle, but skiing is one of the least diverse sports around. There are many reasons for that, but often it's
because someone might never identify skiing/snowboarding as something to try because they don't know anyone who does it.
Snow Camp's work addresses that, as does work by the Muslim Ski Club and tour operators such as Skimigos, who will all be
guests on the next episode of The Ski Podcast (#249), going live 13 June
Thanks to all the Snowheads who have donated so far. I really appreciate it. Donations are still possible at
https://www.justgiving.com/page/25-for-25-snowcamp-challenge
BTW a small disclaimer re our Tesla 3, bought in 2020...
https://x.com/skipedia/status/1929518750153248843
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FAQ
. I can't take all the credit as there are others involved but we have been very successful in creating jobs for locals and bringing in a considerable amount of tourism $ to the area. So I'm not a completely terrible person 
