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Team GB Triumph Inspires New Skiers and Snowboarders at Mendip Activity Centre
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Team GB’s success at the 2026 Winter Olympics has sparked a surge in first-time skiers and snowboarders across Somerset and the South West – with Mendip Activity Centre welcoming a wave of new faces to the slopes.
Mendip Activity Centre has seen a significant rise in interest this winter, as families, young people and adults feel inspired to begin their own snowsports journey. Sessions have been selling out quickly, especially our popular Learn to Ski and Learn to Snowboard courses, as more people look to take their first steps into skiing or snowboarding.
The team at Mendip has welcomed hundreds of newcomers to its 165m dry ski slope in recent weeks, with many visitors saying Team GB’s performances at the Winter Games gave them the final push to try snowsports for the first time.
From Mendip to the Podium
Mendip Activity Centre has a proud history of helping people take their first steps into snowsports. Olympic snowboarder Jenny Jones, who won Team GB’s first ever Olympic medal in snowboarding at the 2014 Winter Olympics, began her journey on Mendip’s dry slope.
More recently, Mendip has sponsored Shipham-based bobsleigh athlete Jens Hullah, who won gold in the Europa Cup this season. Jens first learned to ski on a school trip to Mendip’s dry slope and has shared his story on his blog. The support for athletes like Jens underlines Mendip’s mission to inspire everyone everywhere to make time for adventure.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see so many newcomers hitting the slopes, alongside others rediscovering their love for snowsports, inspired by Team GB’s outstanding achievements. Everyone must start somewhere, and the majority of Team GB athletes began their journeys on artificial slopes like ours at Mendip,” said David Eddins, CEO of Mendip Adventure
Team GB’s Best Ever Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were historic for Team GB and have clearly resonated with sport lovers across the UK. Great Britain finished with five medals in total, equalling its best ever Winter Olympic medal haul, and secured three gold medals – the first time Britain has won more than one gold at a single Winter Games.
The surge in interest at Mendip Activity Centre has not gone unnoticed by national media. Mendip was recently featured on ITV News, highlighting how Team GB’s success at the Winter Games has inspired people to try snowsports. There has also been coverage on across the BBC exploring the wider enthusiasm for winter sport across the UK.
Start Your Own Winter Games Journey
Feeling inspired?
Mendip Activity Centre offers more than 25 outdoor activities, including Skiing, Snowboarding and Tobogganing. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to build confidence and skills, expert instructors and structured coaching pathways make it easy to get started.
