Artificial ski slopes in the UK to try out this summer
With the summer holidays fast approaching, there may be a place missing from your warm weather escape plans: the UK slopes to enjoy some great skiing and snowboarding.
You read that right. The country’s vast network of indoor snow centres and innovative “dry” slopes are the perfect way for you to get your ski on, or to strap on that snowboard again. With spots all over Britain, adapted skiing conditions are a great way to get into the sport and the perfect preparation for an amazing ski holiday at a luxury chalet in France.
Here are some great UK artificial ski slopes to consider if you are interested in skiing and snowboarding without leaving the country:
Snozone – Milton Keynes and West Yorkshire
With two locations – one in Milton Keynes and the other in West Yorkshire – these indoor facilities offer visitors real snow. They provide exciting freestyle courses and they are changed weekly to offer new challenges. These are the ideal locations for those who want to learn as well. Ski and snowboard lessons are available for all levels and ages. For the little ones (and big ones too!), there is sledging and ice sliding as well.
Visit snozoneuk.com for more information.
Norfolk Snowsports Club - Norwich
On the east coast, the club boasts a 170m primary slope. This Norwich facility caters to beginners as it offers lessons and a nursery slope that is just perfect for learning. The club is also affiliated to Special Olympics UK and provides adaptive snowsport opportunities for those with disabilities.
More information can be found at norfolksnowsports.com.
Ski Rossendale - Lancashire
Ski Rossendale is one the country’s many dry slope facilities. In Lancashire, it offers day, night and league skiing opportunities. Opened in the 1960s, it is one of North West England’s most popular dry ski slopes. The site boasts a 200m main slope. It also has a freestyle park, nursery slope and quarter pipe for real excitement. Lessons for all abilities are available, and clubs and groups are welcome.
Get more information at skirossendale.co.uk.
Snow Factor – Glasgow
If in Scotland, there is a chance for you to ski indoors as well. At Snow Factor, they offer a real snow slope reaching 168m. What’s more, there is a climbing wall and a mountain-themed restaurant complete with a festive beer hall. The facility is located near Glasgow.
Want to know more? Visit snowfactor.com
Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Centre - Wales
Another fine dry slope location is the Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Centre. Opened in 1969, it offers 100m of skiing. It is perfect for beginners and those wanting to learn to ski while enjoying everything the Welsh capital has to offer. It highlights freestyle skiing and snowboarding with a full stair set, a rainbow rail, whale tail, box, kickers and a quarter pipe to keep the tricks and excitement going all day long.
If looking to visit, there is more info at skicardiff.co.uk
Plymouth Ski Slope and Snowboard Centre - Devon
Known more as a maritime destination, the Devon city of Plymouth gives the entire South West the chance to get some skiing in at this dry slope centre. It caters to skiers and snowboarders, as well as those looking to enjoy toboggans and sno-tubes. The centre welcomes parties, open skiing and snowboarding, and offers lessons too. Perfect for the summer, there is also a kids camp during the holidays.
Visit If looking to visit, there is more info at Plymouth Ski Slope for more information.
Chill Factore – Manchester
This Manchester destination gives skiers the largest indoor slope – and it is made of real snow. It reaches 180m and helps you get it all: mogul, ski cross and boardercross sessions. There are lessons available for all abilities, and the Chill Factore is home to the charity organisation Disability Snowsport UK.
You can get more information at Chill Factore
Snowdome - Tamworth
This centre combines it all. Not only a great facility to ski and snowboard, it also offers an ice skating rink, swimming pool and a gym. For winter sports lovers, there is a 170m main slope, as well as two separate slopes for beginners to enjoy. It also offers freestyle elements like boxes, rails and kickers. For the kids, there is an area for snowplay, tubing and tobogganing. Lessons for all abilities are available.
Located in Staffordshire, there is more information at Snowdome
The Snow Centre – Hemel Hempstead
One of the best known facilities in the UK, the Snow Centre has achieved a bit of fame helping celebrities prepare for Channel 4’s The Jump. Just outside of London in Hemel Hempstead, it provides 160m of real snow. There are also boxes, rails and kickers for active and experienced freestylers. For those less sure on the snow, instructors on site give lessons for all abilities.
Visit The Snow Centre for more information.
Suffolk Ski Centre - Ipswich
Conveniently located in the South East, the Suffolk Ski Centre is an outdoor dry slope. It has a 180m slope and a self-contained toboggan run. With lessons being offered for eager skiers from age four, it is the perfect place to increase your skills before booking your winter trips to the Alps.
Go to Suffolk Ski Centre to get more details.
Snowtrax - Christchurch
The southern coast gets you into the sport with this exciting facility in the heart of Dorset. Snowtrax boasts a dry slope and the country’s largest ski and snowboard retail store. This facility has hosted a number of competitions including the Air Attack freestyle jam competition earlier in 2016. It is a freestyler’s dream and offers the lessons, facilities and equipment you are looking for this summer.
There is plenty more information at Snowtrax.
Llandudno Ski Slope - Wales
This North Wales ski centre has the UK’s longest toboggan run. Llandudno uses PermaSnow and gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. It also offers group lesson for kids aged 4-7.
For more information, visit Llandudno Ski Slope.
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre - Gloucester
In the heart of British holiday country on the Cotswolds, this vast facility is ideal for an amazing summer holiday experience. This great centre is set across 12 acres and offers visitors a mammoth 240m primary slope. If that wasn’t enough, the centre also has a 250m recreational/racing slope, and a 40m nursery slope to learn on as well. It also features a Big Airbag and four lifts to help make for a great experience.
Get all the details about the centre at Gloucester Ski and Snowboard.
Image Credit: Timo Newton-Syms