Do you fancy trying out snowboarding or skiing? The Soton Tab brings you an exclusive interview with Nick Smith, President of Southampton University Ski and Snowboard Club.

What made you start up SUSSC? (Apart from a love of skiing and snowboarding obviously!)

Once upon a time, a tribe of audacious Southampton students embarked upon a journey of snow, French mistresses and alcohol-fuelled confusion. This is where the story of SUSSC began. Countless trips to Europe, national competitions, socials and training sessions later, Southampton University Ski and Snowboard Club is at its peak (#PunOfTheYear2014Entry).

What kind of trips and socials do you run, and when?

We’ll be running socials every week at Sobar – plus a massive campus take-over, and huge party on the 9th October to promote our notorious Christmas trip.

On top of this, we’ll be hosting free lessons for beginners, recreational for top skiers and racing for speed freaks on our taster day on the 27th September. The following week, we’ll be holding our freestyle taster session on Wednesday 1st October, and the trip talk and social on the 2nd. For more information on these check out our or drop me a line ( ).

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The views you can expect on a typical SUSSC holiday.

Tell us more about the Christmas trip!

We’re teaming up with the most prestigious travel company in the business to bring you the biggest, most epic SUSSC trip. Join 400 Southampton students for a week in the legendary French resort Les Arcs from the 12th to the 20th December. If you’re sold, visit booking.nucotravel.com/sussc

Is it expensive?

£329 gets you prime ski-in-out accommodation for 6 nights, return travel, a 200km lift pass for 6 days, a free t-shirt and a free SUSSC goodie bag. So, no.

Can people join if they are new to skiing, or is experience required for a membership?

Absolutely. In fact, we’ve found that members who have never seen snow before have the best time at our events. If you do fancy learning to ski, or you’d love to give freestyle or racing a go, we’ll be running weekly training and lessons throughout the term. We’ll also be running free lessons and recreational skiing from 10 till 4 on Saturday 27th September, so pop down to Southampton Alpine Centre and give it a go!

How many members do you currently have and what is the boy-girl ratio?

Last year we had just over 400 members – 357 attended the Christmas trip and 57 at Easter. We also have members who do not come on the trips, but come to weekly training, socials and competitions. We hope to push the 500 mark this year. Val d’Isere featured a ratio of 1.3  boys to each girl.

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An alternative view of a SUSSC holiday.

Any funny stories or weird traditions from the society? Spill!

A certain percentage of our stories involve copious amounts of alcohol, sex, or are just plain inappropriate for print. I’ll keep them PG-13.

I fell on my ski binding and fiercely bruised my fanny. I couldn’t sit down for two days it hurt so much”- Anonymous female committee member.

The Mountain Meal with large quantities of not-so-vintage French wine. After debauchery has been fulfilled, attendees will ski back down to the village. Unfortunately the venue precluded us from holding this event in Val d’Isere. I am pleased to say this will event will feature in a major way in Les Arcs.

Now for some important questions: Chico-o-land or Manzils?

Quality chats with Tariq, a comfortable seating area (easily converted to sleeping area) and the accompanying Britney Spears track- Manzils is undoubtedly our choice here.

And finally, Soton Tab or Wessex Scene?

As Jamie mentioned last yearWessex Scene is favourable in a game of scrabble, I’d have to say the content of Soton Tab has me though.

Let us know your thoughts on this society, comment below!

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