All eyes will be on the medal hopefuls for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the London 2012 games at this year’s British Ski and Board Show 2008 as Zoë Gillings, Britain’s number one snowsport athlete, and Sarah Ainsworth, Britain’s highest ranking aerialist, both make appearances at the show. Held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November, Zoë will appear on the live stage while Sarah will be apart of the amazing Big Air Freestyle Display team on Europe’s largest indoor ramp.

Zoë has firmly set her sights on Vancouver, beating every one of the top-ranked competitors throughout last season. Currently ranked seventh, she is back to the podium-topping form which guaranteed her an Olympic qualification three years ago. Zoë will share her experience of preparing and competing in the Olympics and will take questions from aspiring athletes.

Sarah is a National Champion in both Trampolining and Aerials, and made her aerial skiing premiere at the British Ski & Board Show. A high achiever, Sarah headed up last season’s British Europa Cup and World Cup programme and has a performance plan to obtain top ten World Cup positions for 2008/2009 and an Olympic podium finish in 2010.

She will be part of the Big Air Freestyle Display team which will be performing spectacular freestyle aerial displays and pulling breathtaking jumps from our 45 degree extreme ramp. Sarah is joined by Olympic legend Ales Valenta, a gold medallist at the 2002 Winter games in Salt Lake City, who successfully landed the World’s first ever triple somersault with five twists on snow.

Also on the team is another former Olympian, Christian Rijavec from Austrian, professional freestyle aerial skiers Andreas Isoz and Mistra Noto from Switzerland and Danny Morandini from South Tyrol, Italy. The Big Air Display team will perform tricks, jumps, spins and twists three times each day.

Zoe will be joined on the live stage by Graham Bell, the eight times British Championship and presenter of BBC’s Ski Sunday. Graham will be advising visitors how to be ‘fit to ski’ and taking questions from the audience. They will be joined by Fall-Line’s Boot Doctor Colin Martin, from Solutions 4 Feet, who will be explaining why having the right boots is essential when taking to the slopes while Jon Coster, from Jon's Ski Tuning, looks at how to prepare and then get the best from your skis and snowboard this winter.

Visitors will have a slope of their own to use as they are invited to learn the basics and brush up on their techniques with a free lesson from an instructor from John Nike Leisuresport, the UK’s largest snow and ice sports company. From complete beginners to those looking to improve their skills, the slopes are open to anyone who wants to kick off their shoes and have a go, all equipment will be provided so all you need to do is turn up!

Away from the slopes, visitors can join in with interactive workshops and seminars or check out the latest equipment and fashions with top retail stands where leading names will offer exclusive show offers. Plus resorts from all over Europe, North America and Canada will invite you to sample the delights they have to offer before you relax in the chill out zone.

The British Ski and Board Show, sponsored by the Daily Telegraph, is open from 12noon until 8pm on Friday and 10am until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, the latest updates or to book tickets, visit www.globalsnowshows.co.uk or telephone the booking line on 0871 945 4516.