A mini ski slope is returning to Sheffield city centre this weekend as part of the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, which marks its 20th anniversary from Fri 20th – Sun 22nd March 2026. Alongside a packed programme of films and free events, the festival will also host a free after party at Sidney and Matilda on Saturday night, open to everyone.
The temporary slope, installed at Pinball Park opposite the Workstation, will be free for the public to try (if they bring their own gear) and is being presented by Revive Sheffield Ski Village. The installation celebrates Sheffield’s connection with snowsports while also pointing to a bigger question about the future of the former Ski Village above the city. There will also be a bookable outdoor sauna from ScandiBox at Pinball Park costing just £10 for a 30 min session over the weekend.
Once one of the largest dry ski slopes in Europe, the Parkwood Springs site has stood unused since 2012 but remains an influential part of Sheffield’s outdoor identity. Revive Sheffield Ski Village will be on site throughout the weekend, using the mini slope to highlight their campaign and their hope that future regeneration plans for the area will include a return of snowsports facilities.
Alongside the outdoor installation, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival brings more than 100 films, talks and events to the Showroom Cinema, continuing its role as one of the UK’s leading festivals for adventure and environmental storytelling.
Matt Heason, who founded the festival in 2006, also marks another milestone this year with the publication of his second book, Wild Rock, a guide to 100 easy scrambles across the UK.
This year’s festival is supported by Rab, the Sheffield based mountain clothing and equipment brand, who will be on site offering free gear repair sessions and advice on extending the life of outdoor kit. They will be joined by Patagonia and Alpkit, with a shared focus on repair and reuse across the weekend. Alpkit will host a kit swap, while Sheffield Clothing Repair will be on hand to help keep gear adventure ready, offering advice, maintenance tips and the option to drop off damaged kit for repair.
The film programme reflects a wide range of themes shaping outdoor culture today, from elite sport and Olympic ambition to access, ageing and environmental action. Highlights include The Finisher, following Jasmin Paris through the Barkley Marathons, and IAN, a story of ageing and movement that challenges expectations.
Films such as Janja Garnbret: Big Five and Annika: Where She Lands explore the pressures behind elite performance, while Snow Borders connects to Sheffield’s own snowsports heritage. Environmental themes run throughout, with films including A River Runs Through Them, To the Sea, Undammed and Bad River exploring access to the landscapes we depend on.
Beyond the cinema, ShAFF extends into the city with free talks, exhibitions and community events, alongside a range of exhibitors from across the outdoor sector. There are plenty of free activities across the weekend and family friendly elements such as the Young Adventurer film sessions, making it easy for people of all ages to get involved.
Celebrations continue on Saturday night with the festival’s 20th anniversary party. DJ sets will take place in the Showroom Bar from 21:00, followed by a free but ticketed after party at Sidney and Matilda running until late.
Tickets for film screenings and events are available now, with further details on the programme and free activities available at shaff.co.uk.
