Private Jake Shirtliff – Shirty to his friends – joined soldiers from units across the UK and Germany on Exercise Snow Warrior, as part of the Army's training programme.

At the end of the two-week course he had achieved the Army's Basic Ski (Alpine) and Ski Tour Proficiency qualifications, in spite of never having strapped on a pair of skis before.

'exhausting'

"As well as downhill alpine skiing, we were trained in ski touring, which entails trekking up a mountain on skis before coming down the other side," said 20-year-old Jake.

"It's exhausting, but what really is useful is learning all about snow survival, understanding weather patterns, avoiding avalanches and how to find someone who may be buried in one."

keen sportsman

Jake left Ripon College to join the Army in 2008 and is a dog handler with 101 Military Working Dogs Support Unit, based in Aldershot. At present he handles attack dogs used to guard military installations, but plans to move across to sniffer dogs.

Since joining the Army, he has visited Germany as well as serving on operations in Afghanistan.

A keen sportsman, he enjoys rugby, cricket, football, tennis, squash and running – and now skiing.