FROM Greenhill in Evesham to the white mountains of Switzerland. That's the remarkable journey made by Glenn Parsons.

The 24-year-old owes his dramatic change in scenery to the annual skiing trip enjoyed by pupils at Prince Henry's High School.

As a 14-year-old, Parsons was in a school party to Saalbach led by maths teacher, Alan Beese, and the Evesham man hasn't looked back since in a swift ascent to the top of the freeride ladder.

"I was hooked from day one," he recalled. "I used the artificial slope in Gloucester and went with the school again."

Zermatt was his next port of call on a visit with his uncle and it was on that trip as a 16-year-old that Parsons really made up his mind to hit the slopes with a vengeance.

After leaving Prince Henry's, the daredevil teenager attended Stratford College for two years where he gained NVQs in catering, qualifications that saw him take a full-time post in the kitchen s at The Lygon in Broadway.

However, he was determined to return to Switzerland to live and work and he did just that when he was 19.

"I went out with the intention of coming back after a season and moving to London," Parsons recalled.

"But after the first week I knew that I was going to stay, the lure of the slopes was enough. I spent every free moment on the slopes which amounted to about two to three hours each day."

By now the Evesham 19-year-old was combining his sporting choice with a job in a two-star hotel. "It was the perfect job," he said. "Working four hours a day and then getting out on to the slopes."

Parsons tagged on to sponsored riders on the mountains and they proved the inspiration as he made giant strides in his outdoor career.

He was lured by the prospect of Big Air events and his first win in competition was the springboard for future success.

"I now realised the potential for receiving sponsorship and arranged to have a professional portfolio done to send off to prospective sponsors," he added.

Ski companies were quick to respond and his swift rise through the international ranks began and he is now one of Britain's top high flyers after only four winters on snow.

The Evesham lad has been freeriding and practising big air tricks, mostly self taught, regularly but only now has he the good fortune to earn enough money from sponsorship deals not to require a nine to five job.

"It's an expensive sport," he acknowledged. "There's travelling, accommodation and lift passes to take into account and a realistic budget of £12,000 per year to cover the costs of a professional rider.

"It's totally different to skiing. It's an extreme sport on rock ice and snow with a lot more hazards. You don't get the chance to look at the course beforehand, you just have to spot a line using your binoculars."

Parsons has shown his skills when finishing fourth in the prestigious ChamJam competition, while also taking first place in a Best of Brits and Wengen Big Air events and top spot at Zermatt in a Stylers competition.

He is also a regular at ski shows and featured at the Ski and Snowboard Show at London's Olympia last month.

His exploits haven't been without misfortune as a fractured back illustrates - an injury that kept him out of the action for three months.

He also ruptured ligaments in a shoulder but, given the danger level, Parsons has escaped relatively unscathed.

He is currently filming for an ITV production, while working for a British film maker who is preparing a documentary for an Extreme Sports Channel.

The United States and New Zealand are two of his favourite destinations - trips arranged by his international sponsors including White Stuff Clothing, Smite Eyewear, Level Handwear and the K2/Siemens European team.

Parents Maureen and David keep a close eye on their son's career from the home in Collinsfield and they aren't in the least surprised by Glenn's success.

"He's always been a bit of a daredevil," said his mum. "Neighbours christened him Evil Knievel as he sped down the street on whatever he could find to get him around."

The Internet has also given his parents swift access to his exploits and you can check out Glenn's progress on Soulsports.co.uk or Freerideculture.com

It's obviously far safer surfing than snowboarding!