SOUTHAMPTON’S own snowboarder and Winter Olympics hopeful Billy Morgan might have failed to make the finals of the slopestyle but it didn’t stop local skiers taking to the slopes this weekend.

Solent Ski Club for the Disabled meet monthly at the Bassett alpine centre and this week was no exception.

Club chairman Peter Ramm said the group is always on the lookout for volunteers and experienced skiers to help out with the less able bodied. He said: “I always say everyone is disabled once you put on a pair of skis so it’s a great leveller.”

The group have recently returned from a week in Italy. And 10 year old Alastair MacNaughton is learning how to use a bob- or sitting ski- with dad Malcolm, who is behind him all the way, learning how to ‘tether’ or act as a brake.