Saalbach is in for a busy time over the next couple of weeks. Next week it hosts the British Alpine Ski Championships and the following week (April 1-7) the British Universities Alpine Championships (BUSC) and the 1500 students who will take over the resort for a week.

The Racing
Although the social scene at BUSC is as lively as you'll see in any resort this winter, the racing continues to attract a strong field, this year second only to the preceding Senior Championships.

Arguably, the hottest favourite for years is British number one downhill racer Amanda Pirie (Loughborough) who took a bronze in the Super G at the Austrian National Champs last year.

Amanda looks odds on to retain the individual trophy for the Pirie family - her sister Tessa (Edinburgh) took the title last year although the last year of her medicine degree precludes her attendance.

However, there are two GBG Racing members Laura Westmacott - the 2000 British Senior Champion of Newcastle Uni - and Emily Parken (Bristol), who on their day have the experience and the talent to take the gold.

The Men's event also has a clear favourite. Current holder Blair Aitken (Edinburgh) has won almost every senior British race this year. However, former British Land Team member Tim Fawke (Nottingham Trent), Des Kingford (Cambridge), Paul Harnett (Bristol), Lorne Noble (Oxford Brooks), Robin Hutchison (Edinburgh), David Houston (Robert Gordon) and Craig Cochrane and Gavin Carruthers from Heriot-Watt all have the skill to snatch the title from Blair should he make a mistake.

Last year, the team title went to Bristol but they will have to ski fast this year to stay ahead of Edinburgh's seemingly invincible squad.

Snowboarding will also have its largest entry ever. Newcomers regularly tend to upset the form book but the current seeding suggests that Elliot Green (Napier) and Dan Pupius (Manchester) are going to be hard to beat in the conventional as well as the half-pipe, boarderX and the spectacular big-air - for boarders and skiers.

Last year, alpine racer Gavin Carruthers made a 720 look simple. Reportedly, he's going for something much bigger this year.

The Socialising

Partying at BUSC is almost as serious a business as the racing. This year the organising committee from Glasgow have pulled out the stops in making sure that it's a week to remember.

As well as the Retro Skiwear, Back to School and Shagtagged (don't ask!) nights, the Bubblegum Dance Party on the Wednesday will feature Kiss FM DJs Brandon Block and Alex P, flying in for the night.

How many holidays have you been on where the 'Don't forget to bring list' includes Black Tie, school uniforms and Caribbean outfits as well as Pro-Plus, Alka Seltzer and condoms.

Expect the usual sensationalised stories in the broadsheets...and the full coverage of what really happened on Natives!