Starlight Ski Challenge 2011

Take a dozen teams of fun-loving, competitive skiers and boarders, provide sparkling trophies, throw in some fairy wings and starry outfits, set them on top of a perfectly groomed piste and then douse liberally afterwards with champagne and schnapps - and you have the perfect recipe for an event worth waking up for. Which is lucky as it's a dawn-start!

The Starlight Ski Challenge is one of the best kept secrets in the ski calendar. Suitable for skiers of all abilities with a competitive spirit, the challenge is to reach as many of the 50 mountain huts set in the 200km Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Circus in just one day.

On race day, Hinterglemm's main gondola opens early especially for Starlight, whisking teams up to the mountain's most beautiful and stylish hut for a hearty sunrise breakfast, before setting off on the seven hour challenge before anyone else hits the slopes. As they carve and cruise across acres of fresh snow to reach the hut checkpoints, they will be raising money to grant magical Starlight wishes to the UK's most desperately ill children.

Staying at the über-cool 4* Alpen-Karawanserei hotel and spa in the heart of the village, Starlight's guests will enjoy an entertaining long weekend, a great challenge, plus time to experience the warm Austrian hospitality and to discover how Saalbach Hinterglemm earned its reputation as the best place in the Alps to après ski!

The entry package is £525 per person, including four nights half board 4* accommodation (breakfast and dinner with wine), 3 full days ski pass, race entry and airport transfers from Salzburg. Return flights and ski hire are not included, although there is a 10% reduction on equipment. Participants commit to raise £250 sponsorship for Starlight Wishes.

Starlight grants a once-in-a-lifetime wish for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share, whatever the future holds.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Sick children go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box. Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illness and simply have a bit of fun.

To enter a team or individual place, please contact: charlotte@starlight.org.uk