Why it matters – Inside the team powering the Alpine Challenge

Hundreds of RAF personnel will soon take to the Austrian slopes as part of the 2026 Alpine Challenge, an annual winter sports event that brings together attendees for a fortnight of fun and alpine accomplishments.

Providing opportunities for both first-time enthusiasts and experienced athletes, the Challenge offers the perfect environment to develop skills, train and compete.

Such a successful event would not be possible without the tireless support of the organising committee. Their collective effort, alongside crucial financial support from the RAF Central Fund, allows the event to thrive year on year, enabling newcomers and seasoned pros alike the chance to connect, improve, and succeed across winter sports disciplines.

One of the individuals at the heart of the event is RAF Representative and Head of Snowboard Racing, Sgt Tony Hammond, who has built a wealth of experience since his journey began on the committee as a chef in 2007.

Now serving as Chief of Timings and Calculations, Tony’s extensive involvement showcases his technical skills, unwavering dedication, and genuine passion for winter sports.

Giving us a glimpse of life behind the scenes, Tony shares what motivates him to be a committee member, his highlights so far, and how the Alpine Challenge creates opportunities for personal and professional growth at all levels, with funding from the Central Fund directly underpinning the continued success of this yearly winter sports event.

“My involvement in the Alpine Challenge’s organisation committee began in 2007, catering for organisers and hill teams over a two-week period. I later moved into a hill team role, taking on timing and calculations, before progressing through further training to become a Slopestyle Judge and Chief of Race.

From there I expanded my expertise into the safety side of snowboard racing, becoming a UK Military Snowboard Racing Technical Delegate. This culminated in taking on the role of Head of Snowboard Racing for the RAF.

During my involvement, I’ve seen many people come and go but the friendships built over the years have been irreplaceable.

The Alpine Challenge has introduced me to colleagues across the Royal Air Force whom I would never have met otherwise. Our shared passion for developing winter sports within the RAF, and for pushing the sport further across Defence, is genuinely infectious.

Every step of my journey has been shaped by the community, the shared passion, and the pursuit of excellence that defines the Alpine Challenge.

Being part of the organising committee is incredibly rewarding and deeply important to me because it showcases what the RAF can truly achieve in pursuit of the aims of the Whole Force.

Watching personnel progress from grassroots level to competing at the highest standard and securing podium finishes is exceptional to witness.

Knowing that I’ve played even a small part in helping individuals reach that stage is enough motivation for me to continue supporting our athletes. Helping our people develop, grow, and succeed is at the heart of why I remain committed to the Alpine Challenge year after year.

What many don’t see is the immense teamwork behind the scenes. People often assume the Challenge is simply a ‘jolly’, but the reality is very different.

Planning begins weeks after the previous event closes and continues throughout the year. We briefly shift focus to deliver the Indoor Championships, but once that concludes, we immediately transition into final preparations for the main event.

The Alpine Challenge fosters an inclusive and supportive environment, newcomers and first-time athletes train and compete alongside seasoned performers, creating a powerful blend of mentorship, shared goals, and mutual encouragement.

The committee itself is built on shared values, professionalism, and a determination to deliver an exceptional event for all involved. Working alongside such dedicated team members has shaped my own development within the RAF, helping me refine leadership styles and understand the value of collective effort.

One of the biggest highlights of being part of the organising committee is the opportunity to provide a diverse range of snowboard racing opportunities to military personnel, regardless of whether they are able-bodied or not.

For this years’ Alpine Challenge, I’m excited to build on that momentum. We have a real chance to expand opportunities, refine the structure of the programme, and deliver an even more inclusive and challenging event.

I’m particularly looking forward to seeing returning participants continue their development, as well as welcoming new competitors who may be experiencing snow sports for the first time. Creating an environment where everyone, regardless of background or experience, can thrive is something I’m very much aiming to advance in 2026.

The Alpine Challenge is absolutely fundamental for personnel involved in Winter Sports. For many, it provides not only a competitive outlet but also a strong sense of identity, purpose, and belonging elements that can be difficult to access consistently within the pressures of the normal working environment.

Additionally, the Alpine Challenge offers a welcome change of pace and environment. It allows personnel to step away from day-to-day stresses, recharge their batteries, and return to work with renewed energy and motivation.

This reset has a direct, positive impact on personal performance and wider organisational output.

Without the support of the Central Fund, the Alpine Challenge would struggle to exist in its current form. The funding provided has been invaluable not only to the development of participants, but also to the growth of the organising committee itself.

This investment directly strengthens the opportunities we can offer our teams and underpins the continued success of the Alpine Challenge.”