A HUDDERSFIELD soldier kicked off her combat boots and donned a pair of ski boots in an Army ski challenge.

Corporal Emily Paterson took to the slopes of the French Alps for a charity ski championship.

She was involved in downhill races, speed and technical exercises where she was skiing at 75mph.

During the slalom event, where she zigzagged through poles, she descended 2,200ft in 90 seconds.

Cpl Paterson said: “Having the opportunity to ski with the Army has been fantastic.

“My favourite event has to be the slalom as it really tests your technical skills, as well as your ability to read the course.”

Cpl Paterson was a novice on the ski slopes until she joined the Army and had only been skiing for three years before she took part in the challenging contest.

She joined the Army in 2000 after leaving Greenhead College and Teesside University.

She is in the Royal Signals and has already completed two operational tours of Iraq.

Cpl Paterson is currently stationed in Germany and will soon leave to complete a tour of the Falklands for six months.