One weekend, one city, two ski & snowboard shows

The Metro Ski and Snowboard show has long been a big event in the calendar of us winter sports enthusiasts, but this year we’ve got two events to choose from – with London Freeze holding its inaugural event just across the river at Battersea Power Station.

Decisions, decisions, eh? I’ve been lucky enough to check out both events over the past couple of days and I suggest that (funds and time permitting) you do the same - because they are very different.

The Metro show is like an old friend. You know what to expect, some of the stands are even in familiar places and there are clothes, clothes, clothes – which is nice.

The catwalk shows – with genuinely impressive choreography – are definitely worth swinging by (although I was personally gutted not to Zimtstern represented this year) and it’s conveniently situated next to the Parklife area.

Away from the chaos of all the people trying to sell you stuff, this is where the art, music and dance stuff is taking place.

It’s also where us media types are located, next to a bucking bronco cunningly disguised as a reindeer, which is being looked after by a troupe of human elves, plus a snowman, who I think is their leader. Yes, really.

Make the effort to go upstairs as well, not least because there are some (real) huskies to be met and quieter areas where you can have a catch-up over a drink and hear yourself speak.

The massage men and ladies are back and, as usual, there is a wealth of information about resorts around the world to help you plan your next holiday.

There’s stuff to have a go at (ice skating, Land Rover rides, etc.) and loads of competitions to be entered and you’re bound to walk out with a year’s supply of carrier bags. 

Competition-wise, there’s the London Ride and British Championships, but it’s tough to compete with a World Cup event taking place just down the road.

Which brings me to Freeze.

Bloody hell, the set-up is impressive.  In the shadows of the iconic power station, a massive real-snow table top kicker has been constructed which is hosting numerous competitions.

The main event is the World Cup big air showdown on Saturday, which kicks off the northern hemisphere season and has attracted huge names including Danny Kass, Stefan Gimpl and Antti Autti.

But other stuff – like Sunday’s Battle Of Britain – should not be underestimated, not least because we’ve got Dan Wakeham, Dom Harington, Tyler Chorlton, Ben Kilner and other the big-hitters on the UK scene all in one place. Result!

It’s outside, so you might just London Freeze – literally - but there’s a Jagermeister stand to warm the cockles and the bar is opposite the landing area, so you can drink until you don’t feel the pain. You can smoke too. Whoopee!

Freeze is mostly about the competing and the music - Cypress Hill (!!), The Enemy, Reverend & the Makers, etc – so it’s slant is very different to that of Metro.

There’s room for both, for sure. It’s just a shame that they’re taking place at the same time (not least because I spent all of Thursday shuttling between them).

But I am assured that this is for this year only for – in the future – the plan is to run the events back-to-back as part of a ten-day snow festival.

Bring it on.

Find out more about the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show at www.metroskishow.co.uk

Find out more about the Freeze festival at www.londonfreeze.com