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Release date: 8 July 2011

Enjoy skiing or snowboarding, looking for a challenge and want to raise money for a good cause?

If you fancy something different for this season's ski trip, take a look at the Monster Ski challenge in Tignes, which is being held to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Trust.

Not for the faint of heart, this is an endurance challenge to ski the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest every day for three consecutive days - 90,000 vertical feet in total. It is open to skiers and snowboarders who are confident on a red run and the trip is all-inclusive, dependent on raising a minimum level of sponsorship for the MS Trust. Monster Ski will be held in Tignes, France from 22-26 March 2012 and the charity is looking for around 25 people to take part.

Former RAF helicopter pilot Mike Laver came up with the idea for the Monster Ski challenge after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, as he wanted to do something to raise funds and to prove that MS was not a barrier to enjoying life. In the four years it's been running, fifty people have taken on the Monster Ski in Colorado, Engelberg, Whistler and Tignes, raising over £360,000 to fund the MS Trust's work.

Siobhan Hill, who took part in the 2011 Monster Ski challenge in Tignes, said, "It was just a brilliant experience overall and restored my faith in humanity being with such a great group of people all working for the same cause, for many different reasons - the support within the group was amazing. I would certainly do it again."

The high altitude resort of Tignes is a great location for the challenge, with snow-sure slopes and links to Val d'Isère. This charity event offers a unique way to experience the expansive Espace Killy ski area, whilst being part of something really special to benefit people living with a difficult life-long condition.

If you would like to get involved, you can register now for just £150, plus a pledge to raise £1,700 in sponsorship for the MS Trust. Included in the Monster Ski package are flights & transfers, accommodation (half board), a 3 day lift pass and ski guides. The MS Trust will provide lots of support and advice to help you raise your sponsorship, as well as putting you in touch with other Monster Skiers so you can share fundraising ideas.

For more information about Monster Ski, please visit www.mstrust.org.uk/monsterski or contact Laura Percival at the MS Trust on 01462 476707. You can also find out more on Facebook at www.facebook.com/monsterski.

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Notes:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is usually diagnosed in young adults. It is a complex and unpredictable life-long condition that attacks a person's central nervous system, often leading to physical and cognitive disability. We currently know neither cause nor cure.
  • The MS Trust is working to enable people with MS to live their lives to the full by providing evidence-based information; educating health professionals about multiple sclerosis; and funding research to help people living with MS now.
  • Previous Monster Ski events have been held in January 2008: Colorado, January 2009: Engelberg, April 2010: Whistler, February 2011: Tignes. Participants' case studies are available on request.
  • More information about Monster Ski can be found at www.mstrust.org.uk/monsterski, including the Monster Ski blog and photos from previous events on Flickr.
  • Monster Ski is run by Ski Independence, the UK's leading independent ski tour operator. Visit their website at www.ski-i.com.
  • Contact Laura Percival, Fundraising Officer for further details or photos on 01462 476707 or fundraising@mstrust.org.uk