Britain's best indoor snow centres and dry ski slopes
While the Alps have been baking in the Europe-wide heatwave over the summer, forcing glaciers to close and ski camps to be cancelled, the UK's snow centres and dry ski slopes are here to provide cooling relief for British skiers and snowboarders.
Aside from being a fun day activity for the entire family, the UK’s vast array of dry ski slopes and indoor snow centres provide the perfect opportunity for a warm up or to sample skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
For those looking to prepare for the season ahead, indoor snow centres are the perfect solution to any pre-holiday nerves – lessons and training camps are available to help refresh technique and confidence throughout the year.
With slopes across the country, from Yorkshire to Hemel Hempstead, it's never been easier to visit your local centre, get fit and have heaps of fun, without the hefty price tag of travelling abroad. Find out which centres are open below and use our interactive map to find your local slope.
The Snow Centre
This is where those celebrity types trained before competing in the now-defunked Channel 4's The Jump. The Snow Centre has a 160m real snow slope including boxes, rails and kickers for freestylers. Lessons for all abilities are also available. One-hour adult lift passes cost from £26.10.
Where is it?
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
More info: thesnowcentre.com
Snozone
These two indoor snow centres have real snow slopes and new freestyle terrain built regularly. Ski and snowboard lessons are available for all levels and ages, and there’s also sledging and ice sliding. One-hour adult lift passes costs from £19.99.
Where are they?
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire; Castleford, West Yorkshire
More info: snozoneuk.com
Chill Factore
At 180m, this is the UK's longest indoor real snow slope. As well as the usual lessons and skiing and snowboarding, Chill Factore offers mogul, ski cross and boardercross sessions. Monthly and weekly lift passes are available for those dedicated to their turns, one-hour adult lift passes cost from £30. Save 20 per cent when booking online in advance until the end of September.
Where is it?
Manchester
More info: chillfactore.com
Snowdome
This leisure complex has a 170m main slope, two separate learner slopes, an ice rink, swimming pool and gym. The main slope features freestyle elements such as boxes, rails and kickers, and there is also a children’s snowplay area, tubing and tobogganing. Lessons for all abilities are available. One-hour adult lift passes cost from £29.
Where is it?
Tamworth, Staffordshire
More info: snowdome.co.uk
Snowtrax
A dry slope with the UK's largest independent ski and snowboard retailer store and workshop attached. Snowtrax holds regular freestyle jam competitions, open to any skiers and snowboarders who have experience on freestyle equipment. There's also an alpine adventure park for kids in a woodland area at the bottom of the ski slope. Two-hour adult lift passes cost from £17.50.
Where is it?
Christchurch, Dorset
More info: snowtrax.eu
Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Centre
One of the first dry ski slopes in Britain, the original 90m slope here was built in 1969. The slope is now 100m long and hosts lessons, school events and competitions. The slope has a range of freestyle features including a full stair set, a rainbow rail, whale tail, box, kickers and a quarter pipe. An adults all-day pass costs £15.
Where is it?
Cardiff, 10 minutes from the city centre
More info: skicardiff.co.uk
Ski Rossendale
The North West's most popular dry ski slope, commonly know as 'The Hill,' has a 200m main slope as well as a freestyle park, nursery slope and quarter pipe. Lessons for all abilities are available and clubs and groups are welcome. Two-hour passes for adults cost £20.
Where is it?
Rawtenstall, Lancashire
More info: skirossendale.co.uk
Suffolk Ski Centre
This outdoor dry slope is part of Suffolk Leisure Park. The slope is 180m and there's also a toboggan run – lessons and courses are available for skiers and snowboarders of all levels from four years old and up. One-and-a-half hour adult sessions cost £16.
Where is it?
Ipswich, Suffolk
More info: suffolkskicentre.co.uk
Llandudno Ski Slope
Boasting Britain's longest toboggan run, the PermaSnow ski slope in North Wales hosts lessons for both skiers and snowboarders as well as tubing. One-and-a-half hour sessions cost £20.
Where is it?
Llandudno, Conwy
More info jnlllandudno.co.uk
Plymouth Ski Slope and Snowboard Centre
With three dry slopes on offer including the longest artificial slope in the South West, this centre is easily accessible from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Private or group lessons are available for all abilities. One-and-a-half hour adult sessions cost £20.
Where is it?
Plymouth, Devon
More info: jnlplymouth.co.uk
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre
This dry slope centre on the edge of the Cotswolds is set across 12 acres. It has a 240m main slope, 250m recreational/racing slope, fun park, 40m nursery slope, Big Airbag and four lifts. Freestyle sessions run every first Wednesday of the month and cost £23. Two-hour lift passes cost from £13.
Where is it?
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
More info: gloucesterski.com
Norfolk Snowsports Club
This is one of the largest member-run ski and snowboard clubs in the UK. It's affiliated with Special Olympics UK and hosts fortnightly adaptive sessions for those with disabilities. The 170m main slope hosts a number of events and is open to everyone. Beginner courses are available on the adjoining nursery slope. One-hour open practise costs from £12.
Where is it?
Norwich, Norfolk
More info: norfolksnowsports.com
Kidsgrove Ski Centre
Operated by volunteers from North Staffs Ski Club, the Kidsgrove Ski Centre is based in Bathpool Park in Stoke-on-Trent. There are two slopes, a main slope for all members and dedicated freestyle slope, which hosts dedicated 'Freestyle Fridays' every other week. Team GB hopefuly Mia Brookes is one of its recent graduates. Lessons are available as well as membership options. The club operates the slope on a non-profit making basis with all the revenue being used to further improve the slope, facilities and equipment. One-and-a-half-hour adult sessions cost £15. Slopes closed until September 5.
Where is it?
Kidsgrove, Staffordshire
More info: ski-kidgrove.co.uk
Go Ski Go Board
This campaign from Snowsport England encourages people to learn to ski and snowboard in the UK. Visit the campaign's website for advice and information on how to find your nearest slope and how to organise beginner lessons or taster sessions.
This article is kept updated with the latest information.
