Not skiing this year? Head to an indoor ski slope near you!
A quick scroll through Instagram or Facebook shows many
families enjoying their time on the slopes in places like France
and Austria… leaving the rest of us here a little green-eyed and wishing we
were joining them.
But all is not lost! Get your skiing fix this year by
heading to a dry ski slope or indoor snow centre right here in the UK.
Team GP has rounded up some of the best across the country –
find one near you below and book a fun day out for all the family.
South East
Guildford Ski Slope sits in the grounds of Christ’s College
in Guildford, offering three outdoor slopes: a 20m nursery slope for beginners,
a 50m slope for more developed skiers, and a 40m slope dedicated to donutting
(snow tubing).
Snozone Milton Keynes offers skiers and snowboarders an
authentic slope experience with real snow slopes. There are lessons for both
beginners and advanced skiers and even children as young as three can be
introduced to the thrill of the ‘slopes’…we recommend booking online in advance
though to secure your place on the piste. Check out their video to see what you can
expect from your day at Snozone.
Located in Chiswick, West London, Skieasy isn’t your
traditional dry ski slope centre; instead, it’s an indoor ski simulator –
meaning it’s able to maintain full control of the skiing environment thanks to
a continuously rolling ski track (think giant treadmill) – so you and your
family can take to the slope knowing exactly what you’re up against.
South West
Open throughout the year, Plymouth Ski and Snowboard Centre
offers skiers and snowboarders of all levels the facilities to practice and
learn new skills. With three outdoor slopes to choose from and an exhilarating
650m toboggan run, you can happily spend the whole day here; adult and junior
lessons are available.
This family friendly outdoor centre in Christchurch near
Bournemouth offers a number of activities beyond just straight-up skiing. Try
riding the ski bobs (a bicycle, but with skis instead of wheels!) or spinning
down the slopes in a ringo: a giant ring! Great fun for kids and ‘big kids’
alike!
Midlands
Telford Snowboard and Ski Centre is currently undergoing a
£750,000 revamp but its 85m-long, all-weather dry slope remains open for
business. Visitors say it is fast and slippery….what more do you need?
North
As well as its real snow slopes in Milton Keynes, Snozone
has a sister indoor ski centre in Castleford, Yorkshire. Once you’ve built up
an appetite skiing, grab a bite to eat at the new on-site Alpine Kitchen
restaurant
Located in Stretford, Manchester, Chill Factore is
reportedly the UK’s longest indoor ski slope. Catering for all ages and
abilities, it offers just about every snow-based activity you could imagine,
with a host of deals to pick from.
Wales
On this outdoor dry ski slope, just 10 minutes from Cardiff
city centre, you can have a crack at skiing, snowboarding or even tubing. The
100m-long slope makes for quite the thrill ride! But it also means you get into
the swing of things quickly: perfect for learners or those wishing to improve
on their existing technique.
The Ski Slope at Pembrey Country Park, Llanelli, is one of
the only remaining dry ski slopes in Wales. It must be one of the only ski
centres with its very own golden sandy beach, too. Remember to pack some flip
flops…
Scotland
Scotland’s only indoor ski slope, Snow Factor, has it all:
ice climbing wall, sledging slope, ice bar and a Bavarian-themed restaurant.
Only 10 minutes from Glasgow city centre, Snow Factor will have you coming back
time and time again.
Boasting a 100m-long artificial ski slope as well as a 20m
nursery slope, the idea is that skiers ‘graduate’ from the smaller to the
larger slope. With a ski lift to transport younger skiers (as well as adults)
back to the top of the slopes, you and your family will probably make more
progress that you expect in just a couple of hours.
Northern Ireland
Set in woodland near the Lough Neagh lake, Craigavon Golf
Ski Centre at Silverwood is a wonderful facility that boasts Northern Ireland’s
only outdoor artificial ski slope, plus two golf courses and putting greens.
Two sports for the price of one!
We Are Vertigo, Belfast, is Northern Ireland’s only indoor
ski centre. Offering a variety of training options – from family tuition to
private ski lessons – its slopes are said to help you learn ten times faster
than you would on a snow dome, as you spend more time skiing and less time on
the lifts! The speed and angle of the slopes are adjusted to your ability,
creating a safe and fun environment for all the family.
Don’t forget to take
pictures!
As you and your family slip and slide your way down the
slopes, make sure you’re capturing those memorable moments with plenty of
pictures and videos on your smartphone. But remember to take your GP PowerBank with you too – ready
for you when your phone’s battery starts to feel the burn.
Whether you’re a newbie and want to learn to ski like a pro
before you hit the slopes, or simply want to brush up on your existing
technique, these centres offer an exhilarating, fun and active day out. And if
all this has given you a taste for the real thing, then don’t forget to check
out our handy tips for first time skiers
and snowboarders, as well as our stress-free guide on planning a
family skiing holiday.
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