Parts of the UK were colder than European ski resorts last night as temperatures matched their lowest levels so far this winter. The temperature in Benson, Oxfordshire, and Woodford, Greater Manchester, reached -18C, a degree lower than some manufacturers recommend for freezing food at home and 2C warmer than the south pole – although it is the height of summer in the southern hemisphere.

The growing number of indoor snow centres in the UK makes it possible for Brits to get around a perennial problem that faced us when we bought our ski equipment – testing it first.

We had the choice of buying abroad in a ski resort where we could test it but not easily return it to the shop if there was a problem, or of buying at our local ski shop but not really testing it until we got to the Alps and then had little come back if there was a problem.

The Winter Olympics looks set to be dropped from free-to-air coverage following a recommendation to the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

While a number of high profile events, most notably the Ashes, have been recommended for addition to the current list of crown jewels’ — the sporting events protected for free-to-air broadcasting — the review panel made a clear distinction between the Summer and Winter Games.

The panel, led by former FA executive director David Davies, included the Summer Olympics on their recommended list, while the previous list did not make the distinction between the two events, and simply protected the Olympic Games’.

Warren Miller’s Dynasty ski and snowboard film will be touring more than 40 towns around the UK from late October 2009 to mid January 2010. Filmed in striking high definition Dynasty highlights the old, the new and the unknown…the steep, the deep and the unthinkable.

Join legendary athlete Chris Anthony as he treks into China’s interior on a search for the birthplace of skiing; follow mountaineering marvel Chris Davenport to Norway’s highest peaks; reunite with the pride of the Midwestern skiing community, Luke and Adam Schrab, as they turn Michigan’s Timber Ridge into the X-Games — redneck style; and catch a rare glimpse of historic clips from Warren Miller Entertainment’s vault of vintage footage as it celebrates 60 years of filmmaking.

Despite the days becoming shorter and the nights turning chilly, there’s good news for those looking to escape the gloom of the British winter.

Six airlines have announced ten new sun and ski destinations from Stansted this winter, offering more choice for passengers.

British halfpipe champion Ben Kilner has called for a raise in the profile of winter sports in Britain after crashing out of the FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air event in Battersea.

The 21-year old just missed out on the final at Battersea Power Station after finishing ninth in his heat with the top five going through.

And although he admitted the event in South London was a step in the right direction, the Banchory snowboarder insisted there was too much media attention on London 2012 with February’s Winter Olympics in Vancouver only three months away.

The British Ski and Board Show kicks off this today and runs until Sunday 1st November.

Amazing features include the return of the gravity defying Big Air Freestyle display team, sponsored by Italy’s Aosta Valley, featuring Olympic and World Champions on Europe’s largest indoor ski ramp.

On the Skills Slope, Ackers Adventure’s instructors will be giving free skiing and snowboarding lessons as well as organising toboggan runs while International instructors will demonstrate all aspects of skiing from the basics to making those tight turns on the new style indoor ski slope.

This year, SnowsportGB and Disability Snowsport UK have teamed up with the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show organisers in a bid to raise much-needed funds for Britain’s future Olympians.

Visitors to the Show will be given the opportunity to donate £2 to our British athletes when they purchase their entry tickets online before the Show. Funds raised will go towards the athletes’ training and programme costs.

This is an Olympic season and as such, one of the most important years for our athletes.