Winter is coming slowly but surely to the mountains, but while skiers and snowboarders wait patiently for resorts to open, they can enjoy a month of the best snow-sports action a little closer to home. October looks set to be a month full of freestyle events around the country – and leading the way is Winter Olympic medal hopeful James ‘Woodsy’ Woods.

Woods is heading up a new series of events and talent competitions in association with one of his sponsors, clothing brand Planks. The Planks Grassroots Tour is the latest effort by the brand, which was founded by pro skier Jim Adlington in 2007, to support snow sports in the UK and encourage the development of the sport.

“Events such as the Plank Grass Roots Tour breath such positive life into the UK freeski scene,” said Woods.

“Personally I remember and am still so grateful for how inspiring and inclusive the whole UK scene was for me growing up,” he continued.

There are four dates on the Tour. Each event includes a professional freestyle coaching session from British Freeski Camps, a rail jam sessions run by Jibworx and a film screening. The events aim to bring together skiers of all levels and ages at local centres, where they’ll be able to meet each other, show off their skills and develop new ones.

James 'Woodsy' Woods in action

“My favourite part about growing up skiing in the UK was the people. The scene and the culture is what truly turned me onto this sport and lifestyle,” said Woods who now travels the world training and competing, recently winning Great Britain’s first ski slopestyle gold of the season at the World Cup event at Cardrona ski resort in New Zealand.

The first stop of the Planks Grassroots Tour was Bearsden Ski and Board Club in Glasgow on October 1. It will continue at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead on October 6, Snowtrax in Dorset on October 8 and Chill FactorE in Manchester on October 13 – before the finals take place at The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show from October 26 – 29.

Do your own thing – you'll never reach your full potential if you rigorously follow someone else's path James 'Woodsy' Woods

The best rail riders and the best jump riders will be chosen at each location and then invited to compete in front of the crowds at the Show in London’s Battersea Park.

“It is possible to become a truly great skier in the UK. As is the case with anything, the combo of hard work and perseverance is the golden ticket,” said Woods.

The Tour’s best rail riders will battle it out in the rail jam final on the Show’s pop-up rail on October 28. The top jump riders will be invited to compete in the London Ride freestyle competition, which provides a vital stepping-stone onto the international scene for aspiring UK freeskiers, on the Show’s 50-ft real-snow kicker, built in the heart of the park, on October 29.

Skier Kirsty Muir in action at the first event in Bearsden Credit: Neil McGrain

One wild-card entry will also be chosen to battle it out in the Show’s brand-new big air competition, Jimmy’s Big Air, for a chance to bag their share of a £3,000 cash prize, on October 28.

Heading up the next generation of British freeski talent on the Tour will be the likes of Mike Rowlands, whose sister Madi won gold in the youth Winter Olympics last season, and 12-year-old Bradley Fry, who recently called on the public to help him achieve his skiing dreams.

“The advice that I'd give [to any young skier] is to do your own thing – you'll never reach your full potential if you rigorously follow someone else's path,” said Woods. “Enjoy what you're doing but have your goals and intention set clearly, so that on the days that are not enjoyable you have reason to dig deeper than you ever believed you could.”

The Planks competition kicked off last month with the opportunity for aspiring skiers to submit a video edit online – the best of the 40 entries received will be screened at The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show as another way of showcasing what the British freestyle scene has to offer.

It’s not the first time Woodsy has led a tour of the UK - last year he recruited a crew of leading freestylers for a tour of the UK’s best indoor snow centres and dry ski slopes.

The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show is hosting a packed schedule of live snow sports action across the four days this October half term including big air competitions on Mount Battersea and rail jam sessions featuring the very best British talent. Find out more and book tickets.