January 22, 2015 – The fourth edition of the FIS World Snow Day was the biggest and most successful yet with 645 events in 45 countries and an estimated 600,000 participants. Part of the FIS Bring Children to the Snow programme, which aims to increase participation in snow sports among the next generation, the goal of the World Snow Day is to get as many children and families as possible outside to explore, enjoy and experience snow sports.

World Snow Day Ski Resort Transalpina (ROM) ©FIS

Events were staged on all five continents. From an event in Peru, which featured snow sports on sand dunes, to the Apen Bakke in Norway, which included 103 resorts across with free lift passes for. In addition, Canada and USA joined the fun, the Canadians holding free lessons, free lifts passes and on snow entertainment in various resorts. In Asia, one of the most popular events was staged in China with 15 events throughout the country. South of the Equator, South Africa and Argentina all staged events.

“The increase in our World Snow Day participation is an encouraging sign for winter sports,” said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. “It shows not only is there an interest in nations to stage events to bring children closer to winter sports, but also there is interest among the next generation to actively participate in snow sports.”

World Snow Day is traditionally held on the third weekend of January. This year, it coincided with one of the busiest and highest-profile weekends on the FIS calendar that you can ready about under the Weekly Rewind.Athletes and Organisers at all those events joined in the fun on Sunday and helped celebrate World Snow Day through various activities. Thanks also to the support of sponsors Audi, Eurosport, the European Broadcasting Union, Infront Sports and Media, The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, European Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, Best of the Alps and Sanetta, the World Snow Day message is expected to reach more than 80 million people.

World Snow Day was even a trending topic on Twitter in several regions.

Photos, events recaps and videos from various events around the world are available HERE. Over the coming weeks you can read stories from great World Snow Day events.