Sheffield Adventure Film Festival Marks 20 Years with Mini Ski Slope and Extensive Programme

A mini ski slope will return to Sheffield city centre this weekend as the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF) celebrates its 20th anniversary from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd March 2026. The temporary installation will be set up at Pinball Park, opposite the Workstation, and will be free for the public to use, provided they bring their own equipment. Presented by Revive Sheffield Ski Village, the slope highlights Sheffield’s longstanding connection to snowsports and raises awareness about the future of the former Ski Village site above the city.

Once one of Europe’s largest dry ski slopes, the Parkwood Springs Ski Village has been unused since 2012 but remains a significant part of Sheffield’s outdoor heritage. Revive Sheffield Ski Village will be present throughout the weekend, using the mini slope to promote their campaign for the regeneration of the area, with hopes of reintroducing snowsports facilities.

In addition to the ski slope, visitors can book sessions in an outdoor sauna provided by ScandiBox at Pinball Park, priced at £10 for 30 minutes over the festival weekend.

The festival’s extensive programme features over 100 films, talks, and events hosted at the Showroom Cinema, solidifying ShAFF’s status as one of the UK’s premier festivals for adventure and environmental storytelling. Matt Heason, the festival’s founder in 2006, will also celebrate the release of his second book, Wild Rock, a guide to 100 accessible scrambles across the UK.

ShAFF is supported by Sheffield-based mountain clothing brand Rab, which will offer free gear repair sessions and advice on prolonging the life of outdoor equipment. Patagonia and Alpkit will also participate, emphasising repair and reuse initiatives. Alpkit will organise a kit swap, while Sheffield Clothing Repair will provide maintenance tips and accept damaged gear for repair to keep equipment ready for adventure.

The film selection addresses diverse themes influencing outdoor culture, including elite sport, Olympic aspirations, access, ageing, and environmental action. Notable screenings include The Finisher, documenting Jasmin Paris’s experience at the Barkley Marathons, and IAN, which explores ageing and movement. Films such as Janja Garnbret: Big Five and Annika: Where She Lands examine the pressures of elite performance, while Snow Borders connects to Sheffield’s snowsports legacy. Environmental concerns are woven throughout the programme with titles like A River Runs Through Them, To the Sea, Undammed, and Bad River, focusing on landscape access and conservation.

Beyond cinema screenings, ShAFF extends into the city with free talks, exhibitions, and community events, alongside exhibitors from the outdoor sector. Family-friendly activities, including the Young Adventurer film sessions, encourage participation from all age groups.

The festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations continue on Saturday evening with DJ sets at the Showroom Bar starting at 21:00, followed by a free but ticketed after party at Sidney and Matilda, open to all and running late into the night.

Tickets for film screenings and events are currently available. Further information on the full programme and free activities can be found at shaff.co.uk.