The time has come once again for the students of Oxford and Cambridge to hit the slopes instead of the books. This year the 3000 strong group will descend on Val Thorens between December 1st and 8th to drink in the sun, snow and local beverages. And as a special treat, this year we’ve teamed up with the organisers to cover the freestyle event, which if it turns out to be anything like our last student-run project, BUDS, will be an absolute cracker.

The Varsity organisers are also laying on a bunch of other stuff, including equipment Demo Tents, free workshops from the Snow Limit School and Westbeach Riders Jesse Smith and Matt MacWhirter will even be making appearances to help out at the freestyle event where the best rider (probably the least hungover rider) will win a bunch of stuff from Westbeach, Ortovox and Crevasse who are also sponsoring. They’ve also promised us some more exciting announcements, so watch this space.

Val Thorens is looking great this year, and it’s snowing there even as we speak, so there should be some great pow laid out for those lucky enough to be making lines in a few days. That said, the students have never been too shy of making their own fun, with their party spirits spilling over into the tabloid press a few times over the last couple of years. This year the organisers have put on an impressive spread of music and comedy to keep them out of trouble with a bunch of club nights and acts like Rob Da Bank in attendance to make sure they’re all tuckered out before they lay their sleepy heads down to rest.

It promises to be a good one both on and off the slopes, so keep your eyes peeled for our coverage and the results in the next few weeks.