Get your skis on: Britain could find a Winter Olympic winner
With Alpine weather in Britain and success in the Winter Olympics, Good Morning Britain's Senior Correspondent Jonathan Swain explores how we could all benefit from time on the snow.
The skis are being packed away and the skeletons and bobsleighs are being loaded on to planes. The unusual cargo is coming back home along with our Olympic medallists.
It's been Britain's most successful Winter Olympics with five medals in total, with new heroes and heroines to celebrate. Well done to them all, it must be hard work being to be an accomplished athlete when you come from an island that has more rain than snow.
Although this week, maybe we could all take up a winter sport as heavy snow, or the "Beast from the East", hits Britain.
As they head home, thousands of other Brits will be heading to ski resorts around the world. Not to win a medal, but for some just completing a red run without falling over will be a major achievement.
Success at future Winter Olympics depends on people getting the bug, being introduced to the slopes at a young age. With the main ski resorts a plane journey away, are we still skiing and snowboarding in big numbers? Or are the slopes too expensive? Or too much of a specialist sport?
I travelled to the Swiss Alps, as thousands of others were flocking to the mountains for half-term holidays. The queues at the airport and on ski lifts suggest that Brits still have the winter sports bug. Many will be seeking the adrenalin surge of racing down a mountain in deep powder or a well groomed piste.
Most often though it's a combination of this and sharing an experience with family and friends while having stunning scenery as the perfect backdrop. Portes du Soleil is one of Europe's biggest ski areas, where you can ski from Switzerland to France and back again in a day with ease.
Benjamin Arvis knows the area well and is based near Champery in Switzerland. Every year he sees lots of British adventure seekers heading to the resorts of Champery, Morzine and Avoriaz, but he's noticed the that Brits are becoming more discerning.
"British skiers are looking for resorts that are less crowded, with less British skiers. They want new experiences, so they are prepared to spend more time finding better deals than they did before", says Benjamin.
In a world where we constantly check our phones and the over-use of technology causes friction in most families, skiing holidays can be the perfect excuse to have a break from your smartphone. Google Maps will be little use 2,000 metres on the side of a mountain covered in 350cm of snow. Leave it in the hotel room - instead stop, look around you and enjoy the views and experience that will awaken your soul.
"The beauty of our mountains will always lead to some selfie time and picture taking on the slopes. It’s also a good way for families to build good memories and live a great experience during their holidays. But being outside and spending time in the mountains is a great way for children and families to spend time together. It's proper quality time, where you are sharing a fun sport", says Benjamin.
Now I've really tried to avoid this word but, apologies here it is, Brexit is creating insecurities in the market. It can be an expensive holiday and many Brits may in future skip a trip to the slopes. This may mean a future champion will never realise their Olympic potential, or more importantly a child may never have the chance to breath the fresh mountain air, feel the crunch of snow under their ski, or realise that the snowy view is much better when not looking through the screen of a phone.