Army Winter Sports Report 2026 by AGA&AWSA

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT 2026

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ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

CONTENTS WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR

OUR PURPOSE

OUR PEOPLE

OUR SPONSORS

TURNING FEAR INTO COURAGE FOR 80 YEARS

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR As Army Winter Sports approaches its 80th anniversary, this report tells a story far greater than sport. It is a story about people. It is a story about courage. Above all, it is a story about developing soldiers who are better prepared for the challenges of service in our Army. Since 1947, Army Winter Sports has taken soldiers out of their comfort zones and into some of the most demanding environments imaginable. On mountains, ice tracks and snow-covered racecourses, soldiers are required to make decisions under pressure, master fear, embrace risk and perform as part of a team. In doing so, they develop the very qualities that underpin fighting power: resilience, leadership, judgement, confidence, determination, and trust. These qualities matter now more than ever. In an increasingly uncertain world, our Army requires adaptable people who are physically robust, mentally agile and comfortable operating in challenging conditions. Winter sports provide a unique environment in which those attributes can be forged and tested. Participants return not only with new skills, but with greater self-belief, stronger leadership potential and a renewed sense of what they can achieve. The 2025/2026 season also demonstrated the remarkable breadth of opportunity that Army Winter Sports creates. From first-time participants discovering abilities they never knew they possessed, to soldiers representing the Army and their nation on the international stage, the programme continues to transform lives. The achievements of Army Reservist Private Mica Moore at the Winter Olympic Games stand as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when talent, commitment and opportunity come together. The road to the 2030 Winter Olympics starts here and the next Olympic talent could already be in, or soon join, our ranks. It is an exciting prospect. This excitement and impact extend well beyond the slopes. Army Winter Sports strengthens retention, enhances wellbeing, builds teamwork and reinforces the sense of belonging that is so important to service life. It remains one of the most powerful examples of how the Army invests in its people, helping them reach their full potential while strengthening the operational effectiveness of the force as a whole. None of this would be possible without the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers, coaches, organisers and officials, nor without the continued support of our sponsors and unit commanders. Their investment, encouragement and support create opportunities that change lives, broaden horizons and enable soldiers to discover strengths they never knew they possessed. Together, they help turn challenge into opportunity, uncertainty into confidence and fear into courage. As we enter this landmark anniversary year, I encourage every soldier, commander and supporter to champion the opportunities that Army Winter Sports provides. For those not familiar, don’t judge it from the outside experience it for yourself. Our 80-year history is a proud one, but our legacy is more than past achievements and medals. It is in developing soldiers who are stronger under pressure, smarter with risk and better equipped to perform in demanding environments. Winter is coming; may the best team win. Major General Joe Fossey OBE, Chair Army Winter Sports Association

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

OUR PURPOSE SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1947, AT THE BEHEST OF FIELD MARSHAL MONTGOMERY, THE ARMY WINTER SPORTS ASSOCIATION HAS PROVIDED SOLDIERS WITH EXPERIENCES THAT CHALLENGE AND EXCITE IN EQUAL MEASURE. THESE SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES STRENGTHEN EACH COMPONENT OF FIGHTING POWER.

CHALLENGE

COMPETITION

RESILIENCE

TEAMWORK

OUR PEOPLE

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

WHO WE ARE A small team provides year-round support, while a broader network of approximately 90 volunteers, officials, and coaches powers the modernised Army Winter Sports programme. Among the ranks of the Army are former and future Olympians - soldiers whose expression of passion is on snow and ice. Remarkably each year 75% of the ~2,500 participants take part for the first time.

WHY SPORT MATTERS Sport delivers fighting power by attracting young people to the Army, improving retention and developing physical and mental fitness, leadership and teamwork. Sport also contributes to ‘The Offer’ to our people, simply put, the challenge, skills and enjoyment sport can provide improves purpose; the worth our soldiers gain across all stages of their career.

Attract & Retain

5 Teamwork

Maximise the potential of our People

4 Leadership

1 Physical Fitness

2 Mental Fitness

THE SEASON IN NUMBERS Your support delivers shared social value by opening access to winter sports. By backing the AWSA, you have helped to create opportunities for more than 250 18-21 years olds in 2025 alone, many from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in winter sports.

2,445 75% 26%

PARTICIPANTS*

10% 35

RESERVISTS

FIRST TIME PARTICIPANTS FEMALE PARTICIPANTS**

EXERCISES

SPEED ACHIEVED 74.9 mph TOP IN THE SKELETON * Data taken from the Army Winter Sports Exercise Analysis 25/26. ** The Army workforce is currently 14.6%. Winter Sports is a powerful platform for inclusion and growth.

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

VALUED BY COMMANDING OFFICERS “As both a Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander, I have consistently seen winter sports develop some of our most capable soldiers and officers, building leadership, resilience, fitness and selfconfidence. Many of those who have excelled in winter sports have gone on to top Junior NCO cadres or successfully lead and deliver complex tasks and deployments, making winter sports a proven investment in both our people and retention.” Commander 4 Brigade

COMMANDING OFFICERS SAY WINTER SPORT IS ... A visible and valued part of ‘the offer’

Provides a challenging developmental opportunities for junior officers

Take soldiers out of their comfort zone

An activity to develop my people

Develops mental and physical resilience

24 67

Is retention positive 0

Agree

Neither agree or disagree

Survey data from 109 Commanding Officers, collected March 2025

14 80

100

Disagree

THE FEEDBACK The Army Winter Sports Association has been a crucible to uncover hidden potential. The soldiers’ voice brings this into sharp focus. When asked why you would recommend Army Winter Sports to other soldiers…

“Great experience unable to achieve something like this anywhere else.” RE Second Lieutenant

“I would recommend it to build on mental resilience.” Royal Artillery Corporal

“Builds self confidence, builds courage, travel. Makes you feel alive.” AGC Private

“Best thing I’ve done in the Army.”

Infantry Corporal

“I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to try it, be prepared to be black and blue by the end of the week but the feeling of accomplishment is enormous.” Int Corps Lance Corporal

“It improves your ability to think quickly under high stress.”

“Huge confidence building stuff, absolutely thrilling, and a real chance to do something entirely unique.”

RAC Private

REME Lance Corporal

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

THE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT IMPROVING READINESS* Which skills have you developed through Army winter sports?

Resilience Confidence Leadership Teamwork Decision-Making Communication Other

136 137

112 124

108 116

10 0

120

Please rate the impact of Army winter sports participation. 5%

20% 75%

Yes - significantly Yes - moderately No noticeable impact Negative impact

114 30 7 0

BETTER TRAINED, BETTER RETAINED * Data taken from 151x participants in the AWSA Impact Report Poll.

150

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

PROVING POPULARITY COMPARING NET PROMOTER SCORES AGAINST POPULAR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES; ARMY WINTER SPORTS IS WORLD CLASS Net Promoter Score (NPS) explained The Net Promoter Score (NPS) measures customer loyalty and gauges their willingness to recommend a company’s products or services. It simply asks, “how likely are you to recommend [Army Winter Sports] to a friend or colleague?” It is a global benchmarking metric ranging from -100 to 100. Good is 0 and 80+ is ‘world class’.

HOW DO WORLD LEADING COMPANIES SCORE?

NPS Score:

-1

Source: Google

AND ARMY WINTER SPORTS?

NPS SCORE

-100

Source: 151 responses from pan-winter sport participants in season 25/26

+100

THE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT IMPROVING MORALE, RETENTION, RECRUITMENT AND READINESS*

Consider winter sports a significant part of their Army experience.

94%

Consider winter sports has influenced their decision to remain in the Army.

89%

Consider the prospect of winter sports would have encouraged them to join the Army.

87%

BETTER TRAINED, BETTER RETAINED * Data taken from 151x participants in the AWSA Impact Report Poll.

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

PARADE SQUARE TO PODIUM POSITIONING OUR BRAND ON THE WORLD STAGE

1 0 9 1 2

WINTER OLYMPIANS

SINCE 1947

Army High Performance Sport Programme compliant Army reputation enhancing

ARMY WINTER SPORTS AT THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS ARMY RESERVIST MICA MOORE Army Reservist Private Mica Moore has completed a remarkable Olympic journey, representing Jamaica in the women’s monobob at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics and achieving a historic 14th‑place finish. The result equals Jamaica’s highest‑ever Olympic bobsleigh placing and marks the best performance by a female Jamaican athlete at a Winter Games. Based at Maindy Barracks with 580 Squadron, 157 (Welsh) Transport Regiment RLC, Mica joined the Army Reserve in 2025 shortly after switching nationality to Jamaica. Alongside the physical and mental demands of elite sport, the Army has provided stability, encouragement and a strong support network, helping offset the isolation often associated with high‑performance competition. Mica has highlighted that while her Olympic campaign was largely self‑funded, the Army played a meaningful enabling role: “I’ve had to fight for everything and get sponsors on board and the Army has helped as much as it can.” A former Commonwealth Games sprinter and Olympian for Team GB at PyeongChang 2018, Mica qualified for Milan after competing on the IBSF circuit despite having no prior runs on the newly built Cortina track. Improving with every run, she delivered a record result that demonstrates resilience, courage and the Army’s commitment to supporting soldiers who strive for excellence on the world stage.

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

ARMY SKIING TO NATIONAL SUCCESS ALPINE SKIER IMOGEN BIRD first captained my regimental team on Ex ALPINE SAPPER 23 as a newly “ Iappointed Troop Commander, with no prior ski‑racing experience. Four weeks training on the Stubai Glacier quickly hooked me. That season I competed at the Army Qualifying Races and Army Championships, finishing third overall in the Ladies Combined and earning selection for the Army team at the Inter‑Service Championships in my first year of racing.

Determined to give more to the sport, I became Corps Secretary for Royal Engineers Alpine Skiing, helping deliver Ex ALPINE SAPPER 24, before being appointed Army Ladies Captain. Working alongside AWSA coaches and volunteers, I helped select and prepare the team that went on to defeat both the Navy and RAF, winning the Inter‑Service sword. That season culminated in selection to represent the UK Armed Forces at the British Alpine Ski Championships, where I finished third British female in the Super‑G, competing against full‑time professionals after just three years of racing. Through Army Alpine Ski Racing, I have learned to manage risk, lead under pressure, and deliver complex overseas activity - experience that has made me a more confident, resilient, and effective Army officer.

”

ARMY NORDIC HIGH-FLYERS Army Nordic continues to develop athletes capable of competing at the highest international level. Capt Webb, LCpl Carter, LCpl Markham and Pte Welsh have all represented the British Army and Great Britain in biathlon the most physically demanding Winter Olympic discipline. Introduced to the sport through the Army, they have combined skiing and marksmanship to achieve success in a sport with strong military roots. Alongside elite competition, biathlon develops fitness, resilience, independence and problem-solving skills that translate directly into military service. During the 2025/26 season, LCpl Carter competed in three International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cups in Germany and the United States, while achieving his second consecutive Army National Championship team title. Performance analysis showed significant progress, with shooting accuracy improving by 10% and skiing speed increasing by around 10% compared to the previous season. International competition also provided valuable experience racing against world-class athletes. This summer he is spending time training in Lillehammer, Norway with Team Moods of Norway, combining over 20 hours of training each week with structured recovery as he prepares for further progression next season. LCpl Markham began the 2025/26 season at the GBR selection trials in Obertilliach, Austria, where strong performances earned him an IBU Cup start place for the second trimester of competition. His season included training and racing in Norway, France, Slovakia and the USA, featuring appearances at the Norwegian ASKO Cup, French Cup, Open European Championships and multiple IBU Cup events. He made his IBU Cup debut in Brezno, Slovakia, before competing at Sjusjøen and Lake Placid. Despite the challenges of adapting to international-level competition, he achieved the qualification points required for the 2027 World Championships. The season provided valuable lessons in performance under pressure, racecraft and personal development, forming a strong foundation for future success.

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

THE DISCIPLINES 9 EXCITING CHALLENGES FOR ALL NORDIC SKIING

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING, BIATHLON & MILITARY PATROL The most aerobically demanding Olympic discipline.

ALPINE

SLALOM, GIANT SLALOM, SUPER G & DOWNHILL

The fastest you can go on two feet - reaching speeds of over 130 kph in the Downhill.

SNOWBOARD

SLOPE STYLE, PARALLEL GIANT SLALOM & SNOWBOARDCROSS Opportunity for all with over 15 categories.

TELEMARK

Physically and technically demanding.

LUGE

The fastest sport on ice. Feet-first.

SKELETON

Head-first down the track at unforgiving speed.

CRESTA

Toboggan racing, blending winter sports tradition with exhilarating racing.

BOBSLEIGH

Racing down an icy, banked track in a gravity-powered sleigh.

SKI MOUNTAINEERING

SkiMo: a new Olympic sport combining uphill endurance and downhill speed and skill.

AWSA AT 80 80 YEARS OF TURNING FEAR INTO COURAGE The origins of the Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA) lie in the Allied occupation of Austria after the Second World War. In May 1945, British troops entered Austria as part of British Troops Austria (BTA). To occupy and develop his soldiers, Lt Gen Sir Richard McCreery tasked Lt Col Robert Readhead, an accomplished pre‑war skier, to train troops in skiing. With Austrian expert Friedl Wolfgang, over 600 instructors were recruited, mountain schools established, and competitions organised at the Kanzelhöhe - introducing many soldiers to skiing and even cable cars for the first time. In May 1947, at Field Marshal Montgomery’s direction, the Army Skiing Association was formed, later becoming the Army Ski Association and, in 1988, the AWSA. Early championships combined alpine and Nordic disciplines and built on a far longer military skiing tradition dating back to the 18th century and events such as the Inter‑Service Championships, the world’s oldest continuous alpine competition. Over the decades, Army winter sports expanded across Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. New disciplines emerged, including biathlon, bobsleigh, luge, skeleton and snowboard. Despite frequent moves driven by geopolitics, snow and logistics, the AWSA has consistently competed at world‑class venues, culminating in landmark events such as AWSA 50 in St. Moritz. Today, long‑standing competition in places like Ruhpolding reflects both continuity and the Army’s enduring commitment to winter sport excellence.

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

“IN THE MOUNTAINS, RISK IS REAL AND DECISIONS CARRY CONSEQUENCE. THAT IS WHERE FEAR IS MASTERED AND RESILIENCE IS BUILT.” General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO ADC Gen

SKI MOUNTAINEERING NEW KIDS ON THE ROCK The Army launched a bold new chapter in winter sport with the introduction of ski mountaineering as its ninth competitive discipline this season. Rooted in the earliest military patrol races and reborn on the global stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics, this is both a new frontier and are turn to core military heritage. In January 2026, the Army delivered Exercise SKIMO WARRIOR - the inaugural Army Ski Mountaineering Championship along side the Army Alpine Championships in Serre Chevalier. Thirty-five personnel from across the force, representing all ranks, genders, and both Regular and Reserve components, trained in demanding back country terrain before competing across three dynamic race formats. The event crowned individual and overall champions and signalled the arrival of a high-tempo, technically demanding discipline that is already building momentum. That momentum carried directly into April, when six Army teams stepped onto the start line of the Patrouille des Glaciers, the most prestigious ski mountaineering race in the world. Racing through the night from Zermatt to Verbier, each three-person team covered 57.5 kilometres across glaciers and high alpine terrain, climbing and descending over 4,300 metres while roped together. Competing against elite military teams from 15 partner nations, all six UK teams finished strongly, with one setting a new record for a UK Armed Forces team. These results reflect a rapid rise in capability, built through structured training and competitive exposure since 2020, and delivered under the banner of the Army Winter Sports programme.

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

Ski mountaineering captures the essence of military performance: teamwork, endurance, technical skill, and resilience under pressure. Its formal recognition as a Category 3 sport cements its place in the Army’s portfolio, and the trajectory is unmistakably upward. Backed by committed sponsors including Second Front, Babcock, Motorola, and our in-resort partners, this is a vibrant, fast-moving start-up success story. With SKIMO WARRIOR returning in 2027 and growing interest from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Air Force, the Army is not only leading in this space but actively pushing the boundaries of winter sport - driving innovation beyond the confines of the piste and track and capitalising on a growing appetite to operate, compete and win in the high alpine frontier.

OUR SPONSORS Key sponsors’ feedback on sponsoring

able to play a part in Army Winter Sports is a real honour for myself and “ Being Astute, we have been part of this event for over a decade now and being able to see exactly where and how your sponsorship money is spent is not only unique you can tangibly see the impact through soldiers bravery and development on the slopes when competing at incredible levels.

”

“ Babcock is proud to support Army Winter Sports and the vital role it plays in

developing the resilience, teamwork, and leadership so critical to operational effectiveness. Seeing first-hand the commitment of soldiers both on and off the slopes brings to life the real impact of this sponsorship - enabling individuals to compete at the highest level while building skills that transfer directly back into service. It was a privilege to spend time with the teams and witness their professionalism, determination, and camaraderie in action.

”

“ Leonardo is proud to support the Army Winter Sports Association as part of

the company’s continuous commitment to generating positive social impact across its diverse stakeholders throughout the UK. Leonardo recognises that sport can be instrumental to physical and mental wellbeing, in particular for the Armed Forces community, who face ever more challenges through their commitment to defend our country and our people.

”

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

is immensely proud to sponsor a number of British Army Sporting “ Saab Associations, including the Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA). Given

our Scandinavian heritage, supporting winter sports across all three Services is a particularly fitting partnership. Winter sports offer a unique opportunity for both novice and experienced participants to engage in a wide range of exhilarating and demanding activities. These disciplines help develop physical fitness, foster teamwork, encourage resilience, determination and courageous endeavour. I am always impressed when watching the downhill events, to discover that a soldier who has just successfully completed a challenging course, has only been skiing for a single season. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the instructors, but even more so to the courage, commitment, and perseverance of the individual competitors.

”

ARMY WINTER SPORTS IMPACT REPORT

WILL YOUR FEAR BECOME COURAGE?

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