Skiing and snowboarding are exhilarating sports that children can start learning from as early as 3 years. For older participants who want to stay fit and trim, skiing can burn up to 600 calories an hour and it’s a great way to strengthen the body’s “core stability” muscles.
And don’t let Britain’s lack of colossal white-capped peaks put you off. Betony Garner, of the Ski Club of Great Britain, says: “Artificial slopes are ideal for finding your ski-legs before an Alpine holiday and fantastic for a family day out.”
All the slopes listed below offer instructor tuition — beginners must have a lesson — and prices include equipment hire. We pick seven of the best centres around the country.
MIDLOTHIAN SNOW SPORTS CENTRE, EDINBURGH
With global warming turning Aviemore into a giant melted ice-lolly, the demands of Scottish skiers have created a wealth of artificial resorts north of the border. Midlothian’s floodlit main slope, at 400m (1,300ft), is Europe’s longest artificial dry ski slope. Besides offering ski and snowboard tuition for all levels, the centre is a haven for the growing freestyle ski scene of pulling stunts in the air. Thrill-seekers can try the ramps and jumps, while those of a calmer disposition can rent a trusty toboggan. Unlike most artificial centres, Midlothian has a double-seat chair-lift rather than a wobbly rope-tow.
Where Hillend, Edinburgh
Times Monday-Saturday 9.30am-9pm, Sundays 9.30am-7pm
Prices per hour Adults from £7.80, juniors from £2.20
Contact 0131-445 4433; www.ski.midlothian.gov.uk
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SHEFFIELD SKI VILLAGE
Sheffield Ski Village is an unlikely attempt to turn the Steel City into an Alpine resort; the centre has eight slopes, the largest being 330m long. There’s a half-pipe jump for gravity- defying boarders, a swimming pool, gym, shops and bars. Also on site is Adventure Mountain, an Alpine-style playpark for 2 to 11-year-olds. For fun as a spectator, stand beside the “waterjump”, a ski-jump practice site where those training can land safely in water.
Where Parkwood Springs, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Times November to February: Monday-Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-7pm
Prices per hour Adults from £10.30, juniors from £7.90
Contact 0114-276 9459; www.sheffieldskivillage.co.uk
XSCAPE MILTON KEYNES
Artificial skiing doesn’t have to involve scraping across a slope of upturned brush-bristles. Xscape Milton Keynes is a feat of engineering, a man-made mountain under a vast roof. It has 1,500 tonnes of real snow and is maintained by 16 “snow guns” that spray powder into the air overnight. It has two 175m main slopes and a 135m nursery run. For après-ski, investigate the slopeside pop concerts, on-site bowling, laser-quest (high-tech hide and seek) and cinema.
Where Avebury Boulevard, Milton Keynes
Times Monday-Sunday, 9am-11pm
Prices per hour Adults from £16, juniors from £13
Contact 0871 2225670; www.xscape.co.uk
TAMWORTH SNOWDOME, STAFFORDSHIRE
The Snowdome allows Staffordshire residents the surreal experience of being able to ski at temperatures of minus 2C (28F) all year round, in a vast, indoor, real-snow centre. Besides skiing and snowboarding on three slopes — the longest is 170m, the shortest 22m — the centre also has the world’s first indoor snowmobile track (drivers must be over 17).
Where River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire
Times Monday-Friday 9am-11.15pm, except Tuesday, 9am-12am; Saturday 9am-1.30pm
Prices per hour Adults from £15, juniors from £10
Contact 08705 000011; www.snowdome.co.uk
BRACKNELL SKI SLOPE London skiers can find the most advanced artificial ski surfaces at Bracknell. “Perma-Snow”, a surface that is similar to a carpet, is reputedly an easier and less knee-punishing surface for beginners than the standard covering in dry ski slopes. Besides skiing and boarding on three different runs (160m, 100m and 50m), the centre offers another delightfully simple way of enjoying the slopes, on your bottom. A 30cm-square piece of plastic, known as the “Swiss Bob”, can be hired. It’s fun and easier for small children to carry than a toboggan. There is an Olympic-size ice rink next door.
Where John Nike Way, Bracknell, Berkshire
Times Monday-Friday 10am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Prices per 1½ hours Adults from £12.50, juniors £9
Contact 01344 789002; www.bracknellskislope.co.uk
XSCAPE CASTLEFORD, WEST YORKSHIRE
Castleford is another town where you can find real snow without the hassle of international flights, the threat of avalanches and altitude sickness. For snowboarders there is a good choice of rails and slide boxes to practise freestyle moves. And if you’re looking for the complete mountaineer experience (ie, if you want your upper body to ache as much as your lower half), sessions on the 150m main slope can be followed by an attempt at a 16ft (5m) real-ice climbing wall. Just don’t watch the film Touching the Void before you go.
Where Colorado Way, Glasshoughton, West Yorkshire
Times Monday-Sunday, 9am-11pm Prices per hour Adults from £16, juniors from £13
Contact 0871 2225671; www.xscape.co.uk
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PLYMOUTH SKI CENTRE For teenagers bored by the grace and sophistication of skis, Plymouth Ski Centre offers another means of hurtling down the mountain, the “Sno-Tube”. These large rubber rings turn the slopes into something resembling a dodgems rink. For an all-round Alpine experience, the club restaurant serves fondue, with apple strudel for dessert, but that won’t stop your children begging for McDonald’s. The centre’s main slope is 160m, followed by a 50m intermediate slope and a nursery practice area.
Where Marsh Mills, Plymouth, Devon
Times Monday-Friday 10am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm
Prices per 1½ hours Adults from £11, juniors from £8
Contact 01752 600220; www.plymouthskislope.co.uk
SLOPING OFF
To find a ski slope near you, contact the
Ski Club of Great Britain (020-8410 2001; www.skiclub.co.uk).
Best of the rest:
Silksworth Sports Complex, Sunderland (0191-553 5793; www.sunderland.gov.uk) Constructed from the slag heaps of a disused colliery.
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Suffolk Ski Centre, Ipswich, Suffolk (01473 602 347; www.suffolkskicentre.co.uk) Offers “toboggan parties” and a kindergarten ski-school.
Bowles Snowsports Centre, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (01892 665665; www.bowles.ac). The residence of the Ski Club for the Disabled.
Christchurch Ski and Leisure Centre, Christchurch, Dorset (01202 499155; www.christchurch-skicentre.com) Skiing, snowboarding, ski-bobbing.