Glencoe warms up for first ski and snowboard festival
The UK’s first ever mountain-based ski and snowboard festival is taking place at Glencoe Mountain Resort this weekend with an exciting programme of events and exhibitors lined up.
The Mighty Coe aims to be an annual celebration of skiing and snowboarding, both on piste and in the backcountry, and takes place on Saturday and Sunday (March 26 and 27).
For those wishing to progress their skills, a programme of courses and sessions includes guide-led ski touring - with test kit included - from Salomon, and Atomic will also be providing a taste of the backcountry experience and a chance to try their skis. The usual wide variety of ski and snowboard lessons are also available.
‘Apart from just getting together to celebrate skiing and snowboarding after the last two years of misery, one of the aims of the festival is to encourage people to discover the joys of getting into the backcountry – safely,’ says organiser Neil Dalgleish.
‘People can find out what kit they need and maybe try some of it, and join a group to learn the basics of what to do and how to stay safe while doing it.’
The festival also features The North Face and Ellis Brigham Snow Night – a film and après night which has already toured to London and Manchester. Scottish lockdown snow film Grounded will receive a rare showing alongside Versatile, with Victor De Le Rue and Sam Anthamatten, and the Ultimate Run, with Markus Eder – widely regarded as the best short ski film ever made.
The Snow Night will also be something of a baptism for Glencoe Mountain Resort’s newly rebuilt café complex, which was destroyed by a horrific fire on Boxing Day 2019.
The idea for the Mighty Coe was born during Covid lockdown, and is in part a response to the renewed interest in ‘home snow’, but also the bigger climate picture.
The festival has partnered with climate action charity Protect Our Winters, whose aim is to help passionate outdoor people become effective climate advocates to achieve systemic solutions to climate change.
‘Look at the tragedy happening to the glaciers and to the weather,’ added Neil.
‘We have to change what we do – all of us. I hope this festival will show that you can still have an amazing time in the mountains without flying off to the Alps or wherever.
‘Learning to make the most of our less-polluting opportunities closer to home has to be a part of the future for UK snowsports enthusiasts.’
At the heart of the daytime snow action is a piste-side festival village with exhibiting or equipment testing from brands such as Salomon, Nordica, Dynastar, Atomic, Dynafit, Ortovox, Lange, Black Crows, K2, Shred, Fauna, Oakley, Jones, Line, Planks, The Snowboard Asylum and more.
UK snowsports retailer and festival partner Ellis Brigham will also be providing some festival shopping opportunities.
A snow bar and food stalls will keep everyone fuelled while they check out all the new equipment or join one of the many group or guided activities.
The festival is supported by The North Face, Salomon and Ellis Brigham.
Full programme info for The Mighty Coe is available at www.themightycoe.com.
For more information on demo, expo or any other aspect of The Mighty Coe, email office@hillsideoutside.com or call 01721 588050.
The Mighty Coe is organised by Scottish outdoor event organisers Hillside Outside Ltd in partnership with Glencoe Mountain Resort.