International Ski Federation Games (ISF)
The International Schools Sports Federation (ISF) staged its first ever event in 1973 in Schladming, Austria, welcoming students from around the world to compete in both Cross-Country and Alpine Skiing. England, as a lowland nation, traditionally sends composite teams of 10 boys and 10 girls, across two age groups, to participate in this truly international festival of school sport.
The English Schools’ Ski & Snowboard Association (ESSKIA) has a long and proud history of involvement in ISF competitions. Over the years, ESSKIA teams have travelled to events across Europe and North America, representing England with distinction. These include competitions held in:
- Sweden (1985, 1989, 2005)
- France (1991, 2001, 2008, 2018)
- Canada (1993)
- Italy (1995, 2010, 2016)
- Germany (1997)
- Czech Republic (1999)
- Austria (2003)
- Andorra (2007)
- Spain (2014)
- Italy (2016)
- France (2018)
- Turkey (2020) (cancelled due to the earthquake)
Every two years, ESSKIA selects and supports a team of talented young skiers to compete in the ISF Winter Games (ISFWG), focused on the alpine skiing discipline. This prestigious event, organised by the ISF and usually held each February at a new venue, represents a career highlight for many of the selected athletes. ESSKIA takes great pride in supporting these pupils to experience elite international competition and to represent England on the world stage.
