Winter Olympics: 5 Moments That Inspired The Snow Centre.
From gravity defying freestyle tricks to nail-biting downhill races, the Winter Olympics once again created unforgettable moments, inspiring people to take their first steps onto the slopes and into the world of Snowsports.
At The Snow Centre we have seen that inspiration first-hand, with record breaking lesson bookings, lift pass sales and a growing community of skiers and snowboarders looking to take their skills to the next level.
Top 5 Winter Olympic Moments That Inspired Us
Here are five standout moments from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics that captivated The Snow Centre and had the Snowsports community buzzing.
- Mia Brookes: Fearless Progression on the Olympic Stage
- Dave Ryding: A Legacy That Inspired a Generation
- Snowboard Cross Delivers GB's First Gold Medal on a board
- Women's Freestyle Takes Centre Stage
- Olympic Inspiration Hits the Slopes
Mia Brookes: Fearless Progression on the Olympic Stage
One of the most exciting moments from the Winter Games came from 19-year-old British snowboard star Mia Brookes, the youngest world champion in the history of the sport. Following her Snowboard Slopestyle gold at the X Games Aspen, Brookes made her Olympic debut in Milan. Known for pushing the boundaries of women’s snowboarding, Brookes once again showed why she’s one to watch.
During the Big Air final, Brookes made the bold decision to go all-in with a high-risk, high reward backside 1620. A trick only ever landed once in competition before by Japan’s Kokomo Murase, who went on to win gold in Livingo. A slight over-rotation led to Brookes being out of the podium spots and securing fourth place.
Brookes’ fearless mentality and determination reflect her ability to push beyond her comfort zone when competing with the best in the world. Brookes has helped transform women’s freestyle snowboarding, constantly raising the bar, bringing tricks rarely seen in women’s competitions into the spotlight.
Brookes developed her skills on the UK’s indoor slopes, including The Snow Centre, before featuring on the international stage. The Snow Centre plays an important role in helping riders develop their passion, refine their skills and build freestyle foundations that lead to world-class performances.
Watching athletes like Brookes develop from The Snow Centre to performing on the Olympic stage is incredibly inspiring, and for many, it’s that spark that motivates them to head to the slopes and start their own journey. The use of rails, boxes and kickers during those freestyle sessions increases the accessibility of freestyle riding to many dreaming of taking their skills to the next level.
Dave Ryding: A Legacy That Inspired a Generation
Dave Ryding, known as ‘The Rocket’, has spent over a decade competing at the highest level of alpine skiing, becoming one of the most successful British skiers in history and a true trailblazer for the sport in the UK.
At age 39, the 2022 Kitzbühel slalom winner delivered his final performance at this year’s Winter Olympics. Livingo was Ryding’s fifth Olympics, where he demonstrated pure determination and resilience, placing 15th in Men’s Slalom. Throughout his career, Ryding’s world-cup success and Olympic appearances have played a huge role in raising the profile of the sport, redefining what is possible for a British skier.
Ryding made history in 2022, with victory at the Kitzbuehel Slalom World Cup, becoming the first British alpine skier to win a world cup race. Over the years, Ryding has proved that athletes from non-mountain nations can compete with the best in the world, paving the way for future generations to believe that anything is possible.
In the lead-up to the Games, Ryding trained at The Snow Centre during the summer months, continuing to refine his technique and maintain valuable time on real snow. Ryding’s time with the indoor ski community and appearances at events, including the Northern Snow Show in 2025, help bridge the gap between elite athletes and everyday skiers, showcasing how the sport can grow from grassroots participation to the Olympic stage.
Snowboard Cross Delivers GB's First Gold Medal on a Board
Great Britain secured its first-ever Olympic Gold medal in a snowboard event, marking a huge milestone for the nations growing snowboarding scene. Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale secured their place in history, achieving gold in the mixed snowboard cross final.
During the final, the world was sat at the edge of their seats. Nightingale raced first, crossing the line in second place, creating a perfect set up for Bankes. With explosive speed out of the final section, Bankes took the lead, powering down the course to edge ahead of Italy’s Michela Moioli and cross the line 0.43 seconds in front.
The explosive speed, unpredictable nature and competitiveness of the race is what makes it so exciting. Athletes launch out of the start gate side-by-side, racing against each other at high speeds on a challenging course involving jumps, rollers and berms. With overtaking, crashes and photo finishes, this years’ competition proved exactly why it’s one of the most thrilling watches of the Games, and a proud moment for Team GB.
Behind the thrill and excitement of the race lies skill, dedication and technique, with riders combining balance, edge control and quick reactions to navigate the constantly changing terrain. This Olympic gold is a powerful reminder of how the sport continues to grow in the UK, inspiring the next generation of riders to experience the thrill of snowboarding for themselves.
Women's Freestyle Takes Centre Stage
Women’s freestyle events saw competition at a different level, from slopestyle and big air to freeski halfpipe, athletes were pushing the limits of what is possible on snow. We saw tenths of a point separating riders, landing tricks with increasing difficulty and technicality, combing creativity, precision and fearless commitment under intense pressure.
A new generation of athletes are redefining women’s Snowsports. Riders like Eileen Gu, the most decorated freeskier in Olympic history, have become global icons, not only for their performances on snow but for the way they promote the sport to a wider audience. The confident, fearless approach to competition held by these female athletes, has bought women’s freestyle skiing and snowboarding into the spotlight, inspiring a new wave of young athletes to follow in their tracks.
The momentum is being felt strongly here in the UK, with British female athletes making their mark on the world stage. Riders such as Zoe Atkin, Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes have all played a role in showcasing the strength and depth of British talent at the games. They continue to combine resilience, creativity and confidence to push the limits of what is possible in freestyle riding.
Beyond the podium, these athletes are powerful role models for the next generation. Seeing British women perform at this level inspires more young girls to try skiing and snowboarding, helping the sport continue to grow. The freestyle sessions offered at The Snow Centre play an important role in that journey. Sessions on rails and features provide the environment for the next generation to discover what the sport is all about. With women’s freestyle events pushing the boundaries on the Olympic stage, they also inspire more people to begin their own Snowsports journey.
Olympic Inspiration Hits The Slopes
The Olympic excitement doesn’t just stay on the Winter stage; it sparks a surge in interest among people wanting to experience the sport for themselves. At The Snow Centre, that inspiration has been clearly visible throughout the games, with a significant increase in lift pass purchases, ski and snowboard lessons, and freestyle sessions.
With the extensive global coverage of the Games, Snowsports has never been more visible, inspiring more people than ever to get on the slopes themselves. This years’ games have shone a light on sports people didn’t even know existed, from ski mountaineering to biathlons, opening their eyes to what is possible on snow.
From beginners learning the foundations of the sport in a safe and supportive environment to experienced riders sharpening their skills, and freestyle enthusiasts taking inspiration from tricks seen on the Olympic stage, The Snow Centre has seen the wide influence of the games. This rise in participation highlights the powerful impact the Winter Olympics can have on the Snowsports community. Every four years, the Games showcases the best athletes in the world, whilst encouraging more people to get involved in the sport themselves. The Snow Centre community is growing thanks to the Olympic excitement, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next four years has in store.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics delivered Team GB’s most successful performances to date, with a record-breaking five medals, including three golds. From the historic snowboard cross success of Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale to standout performances from athletes like Mia Brookes, Kirsty Muir and Zoe Atkin, alongside a fine farewell to ‘The Rocket’, these Games have marked a defining moment for British Snowsports.
Here at The Snow Centre, that inspiration is already turning into action, with more people stepping onto the slopes, building confidence and discovering a new passion. Whether you’re inspired to try skiing for the first time or take your riding to the next level, there’s never been a better time to get started.
