Whilst we all love our ski holidays, sometimes snow sports can offer something more.

Going back through the centuries, many of the Alpine villages that are now famous ski resorts, were already famous in their day for their healthy environments with visitors coming to breath the mountain area and in some cases take to the local spa waters.

Then there are many examples of religious figures and medical professionals saying that just being in the mountains is good for your mental and spiritual health, and good for the soul.

And in recent years a number of charities have developed with snowsports at their heart.

One of these, Ski 4 Cancer, has been set up by a group of keen skiers and snowboarders who have all lost a close relative or friend to cancer.

By taking part in a range of sports, the charity’s founders, a group of five friends, discovered that they could switch off from the realities of the situation they faced at home, albeit for only a short time. Furthermore, physical exercise helped them to re-charge their batteries and stay strong for the people who needed their help the most.

So in 2001 they set up Ski4Cancer which provides a range of alpine respite holidays for families living with cancer.  The charity gives families something to look forward to at the end of treatment schedules or after a loved one has died.

Ski 4 Cancer also makes grants to palliative care centres and supports research into the positive effects of exercise and how it can both prevent cancer and assist in people’s recovery post diagnosis.

This winter the short break winter holiday specialist, Ski Weekends has announced a series of initiatives to support Ski 4 Cancer’s efforts, and everyone is welcome to get involved and help this good cause.  The collaboration will help to raise money for the charity.

There’s a number of activities planned including the chance for Ski Weekends guests to stay with legendary ski jumper, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards – himself an ambassador for Ski 4 Cancer – in their new Courchevel 1650 chalet during January where £25 of each holiday total will be donated to the charity. Anyone booking any holiday with Ski Weekends will also have the option of including a £2 donation for the charity too.

“We are very excited about this partnership with Ski Weekends which will enable us to give respite breaks to more families next year,” said Graham Precey, Chair of Ski 4 Cancer, continuing, ”We have a long waiting list and this opportunity will give some of those families the chance to create positive family memories and a break from the constant stress of living with cancer.”

Along with the ‘Ski + Stay with Eddie’ holidays, of which there are more details here other events so far planned include a 3 Valley’s treasure hunt during March 2019 for any Ski Weekends guests, which will continue to help raise further funds for the charity.

“Ski 4 Cancer is a fantastic charity and it’s great to be involved with them and to help raise some money for such a good cause,” said Dan Fox, Managing Director of Ski Weekends (Pictured below), adding, “We are aiming to run lots of activities through the winter and develop this collaboration, hopefully helping in our way to support the charity and make a little difference to those struggling with Cancer.”