The 2026 edition of the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships (The BRITS) marked a significant shift in how the nation nurtures its youngest talent. Held in the renowned PenkenPark in Mayrhofen, Austria, the event debuted the 'Futures Championship,' a contest designed exclusively for skiers and snowboarders under the age of 12.
According to reporting by PlanetSKI, the move aims to bridge the gap between indoor, artificial slopes in the UK and the reality of mountain freestyle parks. Many young competitors, such as the Thompson siblings from Derbyshire, typically train at indoor facilities like the Manchester Snow Centre. For these children, the scale of mountain jumps and the steepness of the terrain can be a significant adjustment.
Stu Brass, the lead organizer of The BRITS, collaborated with Snowsport England and Snowsport Scotland to create this inclusive environment. The decision followed observations that while many young children participated when the event was hosted at the Tamworth Snowdome in the UK, participation from the under-12 demographic dropped when the event moved to Austria due to the logistical and financial commitment required for a full week of competition.
The new format addresses these barriers by condensing the competition into a single day. Additionally, the event offers a comprehensive coaching package, priced at £80, which provides a full day of instruction prior to the competition. This ensures that participants have professional guidance as they navigate the complexities of big air jumps, rails, boxes, and banked slalom courses.
The inaugural event saw nearly 30 children, some as young as six, participating in the championships. Euan Baxter, a Park & Pipe coach for Snowsport Scotland, noted the positive atmosphere among the cohort, highlighting the importance of peer support in building confidence. As for the future of the initiative, organizers are currently reviewing parent feedback to refine the format, with strong indications that the Futures Championship will continue to be a staple of the annual event.
