Royal Navy service personnel have jobs with unique sets of pressures and challenges, and we understand the role that good morale plays in helping to deal with these. A strong sense of morale can improve overall wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of complex issues developing that require support intervention later down the line. This is why we fund many projects with morale at their core, including sports events and adventurous activities like the Royal Navy Snowsports Festival, which was supported by the RNRMC once again this year.
The Royal Navy’s Snowsports Festival took place in Les Deux Alpes, France, from 7 to 21 January 2023 with around 800 service personnel attending. The Festival introduced members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, safely and progressively, to the sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding from grass roots level upwards.
Lieutenant Commander Laura Thornburn explained how the Festival provides new opportunities for service personnel to get involved in winter sports:
“Over the two weeks, around 200 beginner and 100 novice skiers and snowboarders completed lesson packages and a race. Pushing our people to individual physical and psychological limits within a controlled environment tests their determination, physical courage under pressure, ability to operate in harsh alpine and potentially dangerous environments and their leadership skills.
“None of this would be possible however without the support of the RNRMC and other sponsors, who help subsidise the Festival to make it as accessible and inclusive as possible, from the most junior sailor and marine upwards.”
The Festival also promotes excellence in winter sports, developing regular and reserve personnel to an advanced level through alpine racing (slalom, giant slalom and super G) and snowboard competition (parallel slalom, slopestyle and boarder cross). This facilitates the selection of individuals for the RN Alpine Ski and Snowboard teams to compete in inter-services events against the Army and Royal Air Force, and to represent Great Britain in civilian sporting competitions such as the GB National Telemark Championships.
Lastly, the Festival also develops a pool of instructors, coaches and race officials, and this year we were joined in resort by the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team and members of the Royal Artillery ski team who participated in our races for some friendly rivalry.
An array of challenging weather conditions did nothing to dampen morale, according to the Festival’s Director, Lieutenant Commander Richard Stephenson: “The camaraderie at the Festival is second to none and was absolutely essential to maintaining cheerfulness in the face of adversity through some tough conditions over the fortnight. From arriving in 15 degrees and seeing grass either side of the piste, to 10 days of snowy blizzards, white outs and extreme winds on the glacier, to ending at minus 30 degrees but with glorious blue skies and sunshine, everyone kept smiling throughout, making memories with friends old and new.
“We very much look forward to returning to Les Deux Alpes in 2024, where we hope more budding skiers and snowboarders will join us on the snow for the first time, and that some familiar faces will back in competition for more silverware.”
