The week was launched by Aimee Fuller, a slopestyle snowboarder who represented Team GB at Sochi 2014, and fellow National Schools Snowsport Week ambassador Stacey Solomon, a British celebrity, at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

Their involvement was aimed at raising further awareness of the initiative, which looked to give opportunities for schoolchildren across the country to try skiing or snowboarding either for free or at low cost.

By the close of the week, a total of 1,066 children and 149 schools had been involved in the Snowsport England, with the organisation claiming it as another triumph for domestic snowsports participation.

“Twenty sixteen's National Schools Snowsport Week has exceeded our expectations by a long way,” said Dominic McGonigal, chairman of Snowsport England’s Youth Development Committee.

“By signing up 21 slopes to the initiative and getting over a thousand children involved we have beaten all targets, and more importantly given the snowsports bug to hundreds of children across the country.

“A big thanks goes out to all the schools, slopes and volunteers involved.

“We definitely plan to do the same again next year but even bigger and better.”

The initiative saw events run at 21 slopes across England, with the free taster sessions held at most slopes, as well as low cost recreational slope time and several events aimed at schools.

The inaugural week was supported by Visit Andorra as title sponsor and destination partner of choice, as well as school tour operator Equity, who offer affordable skiing to schools aimed at developing confidence in young people.

A second edition of the week is planned to be held in April 2017, while schools are being encouraged to sign up for schools membership of Snowsport England by clicking here.