Der Weiße Rausch, or ‘The White Rush’, is a 9km sprint dubbed ‘the toughest ski race in the world’. Although having just read up on the Iceman Polar we might have to contest that claim. Taking place in St Anton on 19 April, this event promises a pretty unique experience.

It involves a carnage inducing mass start and uphill sprint topped off with a knee crunching ungroomed spring slush mogul field to see you back down to St Anton. And if that wasn’t punishing enough, once you reach the bottom the organisers rather unnecessarily lay out some giant man made snow obstacles that you have to clamber over to reach the finish line.