First-Timers Ski For Free At 50 Resorts

Some 1,000 first-time skiers have the opportunity to ski for free during Freshers' Ski Week in January 2009.

Skiers to 50 top ski resorts across Europe will benefit from free tuition, lift passes, and equipment hire for a full week.

The Association of SnowSports Countries (ASC) is working with some of the UK's leading tour operators to offer this package. Holidays must be booked through one of the seven following tour operators: Thomson Ski, Neilson, Inghams, First Choice Snow, Erna Low, Crystal Ski, and Airtours.

The countries participating in the scheme include Austria, Andorra, Canada, Finland, France, Norway, and Switzerland. Some of Europe's most popular resorts are participating in Freshers' Ski Week, including Austria's Kitzbühel, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, Seefeld, and Niederau; France's Val Thorens, Courchevel, Chamonix, Les Arcs, La Plagne, and Tignes, and Switzerland's Villars, Zermatt, Engelberg, and Verbier.

This offer is open to 1,000 genuine first-time skiers from either January 17 or 24, 2009. Participants must be 18 years or older and be prepared to pay for the standard cost of a package holiday. Visit the Freshers Ski Week Web site for more information or to register your interest.