Badenoch & Strathspey Schools Snowsports Association

  The BSSSA winter programme takes place in March, with around 200 primary children from across the Badenoch & Strathspey learning a snowsport. All ten primary schools take up the offer of heavily subsidised skiing & snowboarding lessons over four weekly sessions on Cairngorm Mountain. 2011 and 2010 were good winters, with great snow conditions and reasonable weather throughout March. in 2012, the programme did not run due to lack of snow on CairnGorm Mountain. In March the Sir Frances Walker Schools Race takes place on Cairngorm. This is jointly organised by Snowsport Scotland and Active Schools, with support from the BSSSA and Cairngorm Mountain. There are a wide range of entrants from experienced racers to complete first timers, many of whom had been up attending the BSSSA programme. The race gives them a chance to put their new skills to the test. Many of the local schools did well with some local youngsters winning their age categories. The BSSSA programme is often the first step towards the children getting into a snowsport. The association has close ties with kids snowsports clubs and initiatives in the area and actively encourages the kids towards them. It is also an organising partner with the Snowsport Scotland November Dryslope sessions.