Rio to host ‘snow sports’ championship!

Sun-drenched Rio de Janeiro might seem like one of the least likely places in the world to host a ski and snowboard championship, but on July 17 and 18, the city will host the first International Snow Sports Championship.

While the weather here may be a little unpredictable, and mid-July may be the depths of the Brazilian winter, it seems a pretty safe bet that the city’s many mountains are not going to be snow-covered during the event. With this in mind, the organisers have arranged for 900 tonnes of snow and ice to be shipped into the city and used to create a mammoth ski, snowboard and slalom slope on Botafogo Beach.

The slope will be a staggering 120-meters in length, 20 meters wide and 30 meters high, and is certain to make a dramatic impact on the city’s sun-kissed beach scene. It may all sound a bit ‘Cool Runnings’ , but  watching winter sports in your swimwear promises to be an experience to be savored. I for one can’t wait – beach, bikini, beer, and 900 tonnes of snow. It could only happen in Rio.