2nd April 2026 | Jane Peel, Mayrhofen, Austria
A brand new nationwide competitors for younger British skiers and snowboarders has had its debut within the Austrian Alps. For the primary time, the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships, The BRITS, held a separate contest for the beneath 12s and, for some children, it was their first style of actual snow. PlanetSKI was there. NEW
Think about this.
You’ve discovered to ski or snowboard at one of many UK’s dry or indoor slopes.
You’ve received simply adequate to do one or two novice competitions there.
In the event you’re fortunate, you’ve had every week or two on vacation within the mountains.
However you’ve by no means seen a freestyle park just like the world-famous PenkenPark in Mayrhofen.
And now, you’re about to compete there, at The BRITS.
Enter the Thompson siblings, snowboarders from Derbyshire.
Sienna & Ezra Thompson. Picture © PlanetSKI
Sienna is 11 and Ezra simply 7.
Their typical playground is on the synthetic snow at Manchester’s indoor Snow Centre.
They competed at The BRITS two years in the past when it was held within the UK on the Tamworth Snowdome.
And simply the day earlier than the 2026 Futures Championship is held, they arrive for every week’s household vacation, staying down the highway from Mayrhofen within the Zillertal valley.
Their first sight of the competitors venue is on the morning of the occasion.
It’s truthful to say, it comes as a little bit of a shock to Ezra.
“I used to be sort of scared,” he says of the second he noticed the massive air jumps, “as a result of they have been huge.”
“I did the infant nevertheless it was onerous as a result of I wasn’t used to touchdown on the steep.”
Sienna took the entire thing in her stride, telling PlanetSKI she was “probably not scared” as a result of she’s executed a couple of competitions earlier than, though she’s by no means executed one within the mountains.
Mum Holly says she thought coming into The BRITS could be nice expertise for them.
“This morning it was a bit daunting in contrast with driving and doing a contest within the dome,” she says.
However having a definite contest for the beneath 12s, the place they compete in large air, streetstyle (over rails and packing containers) and banked slalom, away from the older rivals, was an enormous promoting level.
Sienna Thompson within the snowboard banked slalom occasion. Picture © Craig Robinson/The BRITS
“I believe it’s good, particularly for the youthful ones.
“It offers them the possibility to have a go and never be overwhelmed. It takes the stress off,” Holly says.
It may additionally lower your expenses.
All of the beneath 12 occasions are held on a single day, so households don’t have to rack up an enormous invoice on lodging and meals in the event that they don’t need to cling round.
Sienna & Ezra Thompson with mum & dad Holly & Matthew. Picture © PlanetSKI
Introducing a Futures Championship was a joint choice taken by The BRITS organiser, Stu Brass, and the 2 nationwide our bodies, Snowsports England and Scotland.
Euan Baxter, the Snowsport Scotland Park & Pipe coach informed us extra:
Nearly 30 youngsters – the youngest aged 6 – took half within the inaugural Futures Championship.
There have been various ranges of expertise on present.
Futures Championship. Picture © Craig Robinson/The BRITS
Organiser Stu Brass says that in addition to wanting a contest that supplied a much less intimidating setting for children, there was another excuse for operating this new type of contest.
“After we had The BRITS on the Tamworth Snowdome we have been stunned what number of beneath 12s entered however final 12 months they didn’t come to Mayrhofen,” Stu tells us.
“Some didn’t need to come for the entire week – it’s loads for some households to put money into.
“So we determined to carry the beneath 12s on a single day and likewise supply a full day of teaching the day earlier than the competitors and assist them with teaching throughout the competitors for £80.”
Coach Euan Baxter in the beginning line with 8-year-old Coralie. Picture © PlanetSKI
Futures Championships rivals. Picture © PlanetSKI
So will the Futures Championship be again at The BRITS in 2027?
“There was a very good buzz with the youngsters – good camaraderie, cheering one another on – I want to see it once more,” Stu says.
“I’ve requested for suggestions from all of the mother and father to see if we must always do something in another way.”
Futures Championship rivals Picture © Craig Robinson/The BRITS
You could find extra concerning the 2026 Futures Championship, and take a look at all the outcomes right here on The BRITS web site.
HEADLINE PHOTO: Ethel Lynch (8) © Craig Robinson/The BRITS
See right here for our earlier story about The BRITS 2026.
Look out for our associated articles coming to PlanetSKI quickly.
We’ll be catching up with a Winter Olympic Champion who got here to The BRITS to assist potential stars of the long run.
Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics gold medal. Picture © PlanetSKI
And we’ll provide the lowdown on our expertise on the Altitude Comedy Competition, which was affiliated with The BRITS for the primary time.
Altitude Comedy Competition 2026. Picture © PlanetSKI
The BRITS 2026 was supported by Ellis Brigham and The Snowboard Asylum.
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