EVENTS: PICK OF THE WEEK

Board-X today & tomorrow Battersea Park, London SW11

British Summer time only ended a fortnight ago, yet there's already 70 metres of snow in south London at the "big air" jump at this year's Board-X Snowboard Festival in Battersea Park.

More than 20,000 boarding enthusiasts will attend the biggest festival of its kind in the UK for the chance to check out the competitions, latest equipment, fashions and holiday opportunities for the new season.

Olympic Gold medallist Gian Simmen and Ben Hinkley jet in from Switzerland and the US respectively, while beginners can test their skills on this year's enlarged Trial Slope (also with real snow) or check out the indoor skate hall, video games lounge, live DJs and food halls.

Battersea Park, London SW11 (0171-729 8424; www.board-x.com) today and tomorrow, 10am-8pm, pounds 9

Alister Morgan