Winter is a season of movement and wellbeing
The first official edition of the European Week of Winter Sport (EWWS) #BeActiveWinter will take place from 1 to 8 February 2026, following a successful pilot in 2025 that united over 2,100 participants across more than 10 countries.
Launched at Sport e Salute headquarters in Milan and coordinated by the Italian non-profit organisation L’ORMA, in collaboration with CONI Lombardia, the initiative is co-financed by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Sport programme.
The week-long event aims to combat winter inactivity by encouraging people of all ages to stay active, embrace outdoor movement, and discover both traditional and non-traditional winter sports. With a strong focus on inclusion, sustainability, and accessibility, EWWS seeks to connect communities, schools, and institutions across Europe.
In its pilot edition, countries including Lithuania, Croatia, Spain, Slovenia, Finland, Bulgaria, Italy, Belgium, and Ukraine hosted 36 registered events, ranging from school activities to university and community sports, creating a true spirit of European collaboration.
For 2026, EWWS will expand further with:
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New contests: Top 5 Best Promotional Videos & Photos (open to the public, 1–28 February 2026) and Best Sustainable Solution (for registered organisers).
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Stronger partnerships: Involving organisations like the European Platform for Sport Innovation (Belgium), LUNEX University (Luxembourg), Kilian Jornet Foundation (Spain), EUSA (Slovenia), and many more.
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Educational inspiration: The Milano Cortina 2026 Gen26 Education Programme serves as a reference for promoting Olympic and Paralympic values through youth engagement.
“The European Week of Winter Sport represents a unique opportunity to enhance winter sport as a tool for participation, education and sustainable territorial development,” said Paolo Menescardi, Sole Administrator of L’ORMA and EWWS Project Manager.
With sustainability at its core, EWWS calls on organisers to integrate eco-friendly practices into their events—making winter sport healthier for people and the planet.
📍 To register an event and learn more, visit wintersportweek.com
📲 Follow the movement: Facebook | Instagram: @wintersportweek
👉 Hashtags: #BeActiveWinter #WinterSportForAll #EWWS
