Tag Archive for 'Snowboarding'

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Indoor Skiing UK and Dry Ski Slope Directory

Published on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 in Features and Ski. 13 Comments Tags: Dry Ski Slopes, Indoor Skiing UK, Skiing, Snow, Snowboarding, UK.

A directory of every indoor skiing UK centre and dry ski slope, supplemented by their contact details and location on Google Maps. You might also be interested in ski lift passes.

Indoor skiing is great because you can do it at any time of year and the snow is close to the real thing. Dry ski slopes use special mesh instead of snow, but it’s often outdoor and a more open experience. Both types are scattered all over the UK, so I thought it was about time to make a directory of them all incorporating Google Maps, so they’re easy to find. This indoor skiing uk directory couldn’t have been as extensive as it is, without the help of people commenting and suggesting additions. If there are any missing, or you have an update, please add a comment and I’ll make an update.

Indoor Skiing UK

The indoor skiing UK options are mostly in England. They’re generally centres offering other entertainment such as ice skating, along with skiing. They usually use a close resemblance to actual snow that’s kept by the interior conditions, which couldn’t be maintained outside. See the map below for all your indoor skiing UK areas, remember you can zoom in to the marker’s exact location and click on the marker for directions from wherever you live.
Link to Indoor Skiing UK map

1. Xscape Braehead, Kings Inch Road, Braehead, Renfrew, PA4 8XQ
Telephone: 0871 200 3222 | Hours: 09:00 – 23:00 (Daily)

2. Chill Factore, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Trafford Way, Manchester, M41 7JA
Telephone: 0161 749 2222 | Hours: 09:00 to 23:00 (Daily)

3. Xscape Castleford, Colorado Way, Glasshoughton, Castleford, Yorkshire, WF10 4TA
Telephone: 0871 200 3221 | Hours: 09:00 to 23:00 (Daily)

4. Ski Village, 4 Vale Road, Sheffield, S3 9SJ
Telephone: 0114 276 9459 | Hours: 14:00 to 22:00 (Wed-Fri), 10:00 to 19:00 (Weekends)

5. SnOasis, Great Blakenham, Suffolk
Telephone: 020 7491 4634 | Hours: Due to open in 2012

6. Snowdome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7ND
Telephone: 08705 000 011 | Hours: 09:00 to 23:00 (Daily)

7. Xscape Milton Keynes, 602 Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3XS
Telephone: 0871 200 3220 | Hours: 09:00 to 23:00 (Daily)

8. The Snow Centre, St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP3 9NH
Telephone: 0845 258 900 | Hours: 09.00 to 22.15 (Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun) 09:00 to 23:00 (Fri)

Cornwall Winter Park, Address currently undisclosed.
Telephone: TBA | Hours: Opening Date TBA

UK Dry Ski Slopes

Besides indoor skiing uk, there are also outdoor dry ski slopes, which are artificial and made of a special mesh which resembles a ski slope. They are generally outdoor, so bear the weather in mind when you’re going. Below on the map, all the UK dry slopes are marked. Zoom in to get a clearer view and click the markers for more info.
Link to Dry Ski Slopes map

1. Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend, Biggar Road, near Edinburgh, EH10 7DU
Telephone: 0131 445 4433 | Hours: 09:30 to 21:00 (Mon-Sat) 09:30 to 19:00 (Sun)

2. Glasgow Ski Centre, Bellahouston Park, 16 Dumbreck Rd, Glasgow, G41 5BW
Telephone: 0141 427 4991 | Hours: Check site

3. Knockbracken Ski Centre, 20 Ballymaconaghy Road, Belfast, Antrim
Telephone: 1232 795 666 | Hours: Phone for details

4. Golf And Ski Centre, Tullymoyra Lane, Silverwood, Lurgan, Craigavon, Armagh, BT66 6NG
Telephone: 028 3832 6606 | Hours: Phone for details

5. Sportsman Inn & Leisure, Bradford Old Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6UG
Telephone: 01422 340 760 | Hours: Check site

6. Llandudno Ski Centre, John Nike Complex, Great Orme, Llandudno, LL30 2QL
Telephone: 01492 874 707 | Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (Daily)

7. Ski Club of Ireland, Kilternan, Co. Dublin
Telephone: 01 295 5658 | Hours: Check site

8. Kidsgrove Ski Centre, Bathpool Park, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 4EF
Telephone: 01782 784 908 | Hours: Check site

9. Stoke Ski Centre, Festival Way, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5PU
Telephone: 01782 204 159 | Hours: Check site

10. Swadlincote Ski Centre, Hill Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 8LP
Telephone: 01283 217 200 | Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (Daily)

11. Norfolk Ski Club, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8TW
Telephone: 01603 662 781 | Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (Mon-Fri & Sun) 10:00 to 19:00 (Sat)

12. The Ackers, Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 0LG.
Telephone: 0121 772 5111 | Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (Mon-Fri), 10:00 to 17:00 (Weekends)

13. Gosling Ski and Board Centre, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 6XE
Telephone: 01707 384 384 | Hours: 12:00 to 21:00 (Mon-Fri) 09:00 to 16:00 (Weekends)

14. Cardiff Ski Centre, 198 Fairwater Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3JR
Telephone: 02920 561 793 | Hours: Check site

15. Bracknell Ski Slope, John Nike Way, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 8TN
Telephone: 01344 789 002 | Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (Daily)

16. Sandown Sports, More Lane, Esher, Surrey, KT10 8AN
Telephone: 01372 467 132 | Hours: Check site

17. Chatham Ski Centre, Chatham Ski Centre, Alpine Park, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 3JH
Telephone: 01634 827 979 | Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (Daily)

18. Christ’s College Ski Club, Larch Avenue, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 1JY
Telephone: 01483 504 988 | Hours: 09.00 to 22.30 (Mon-Fri & Sun), 09:00 to 16:30 (Sat)

19. Alpine Snow Sports, Gallwey Road, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 2DD
Telephone: 01252 325 889 | Hours: 10:15 to 21:45 (Mon-Fri), 12.15 to 18.30 (Weekends)

20. Southampton Alpine Centre, Bassett, Southampton, SO16 7AY
Telephone: 02380 790 970 | Hours: Check site

21. Knockhatch Ski & Snowboard Centre, Hailsham Bypass, Hailsham, BN27 3GD
Telephone: 01323 843 344 | Hours: 18:00 to 21:00 (Mon-Fri) 10:00 to 18:00 (Weekends)

22. Plymouth Ski & Snowboard Centre, Alpine Park, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8LQ
Telephone: 01752 600 220 | Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 (Daily)

23. Suffolk Ski Centre, Bourne Hill, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 UK
Telephone: 01473 602 347 | Hours: Check site

24. Brentwood Ski Centre, Warley Gap, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3DP
Telephone: 01277 211 994 | Hours: Check site

25. Bassingbourn Snowsport Centre, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 5LX
Telephone: 08450 728 293 | Hours: Check site

26. Christchurch Ski Centre, Matchams Lane, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6AW
Telephone: 01202 499 155 | Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Fri), 09:00 – 23:00 (Sat), 09:00 – 22:00 (Sun)

27. Bromley Ski Centre, Sandy Lane, St. Paul’s Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3HY.
Telephone: 01689 876 812 | Hours: 12:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Thu), 10:00 – 22:00 (Fri), 09:00 – 19:00 (Sat), 09:00 – 20:00 (Sun)

28. Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, Gloucester, GL4 6EA
Telephone: 01452 874842 | Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Wed), 10:00 – 18:30 (Thu) 10:00 – 22:00 (Fri), 00:00 – 18:00 (Sat/Sun)

29. Pendle Ski Club, Clitheroe Road, Sabden, Lancashire, BB7 9HN
Telephone: 01200 425222 | Hours: Vary (See site)

30. Kendal Ski Club, Canal Head North, Kendal, LA9 7BY
Telephone: 0845 6345 173 | Hours: See site

31. Pontypool, Civic Centre, Pontypool, NP4 6YB
Telephone: 01495 756955 | Hours: Vary (See site)

32. Ski Rossendale, Haslingden Old Road, Rossendale, BB4 8RR
Telephone: 01706 226457 | Hours: 13:00 – 21:00 (Mon-Fri), 13:00 – 17:00 (Sat), 09:00 – 17:00 (Sun)

33. Sunderland Ski Centre, Silksworth Sports Complex, Silksworth, Tyne & Wear, SR2 3AW
Telephone: 0191 553 5785 | Hours: Vary (See site)

34. Bowles, Sandhill Lane, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9LW
Telephone: 01892 665665 | Hours: See site

35. Folkestone Ski Centre, Radnor Park Avenue, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5HX
Telephone: 01303 850333 | Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (Mon-Fri), 10:00 – 18:00 (Sat/Sun)

36. Calshot Activities Centre, Calshot Spit, Fawley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 1BR
Telephone: 023 8089 2077 | Hours: See site

37. Avon Ski & Action Centre, Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, North Somerset, BS25 5PQ
Telephone: 01934 852335 | Hours: See site

38. Dorset Snowsport Centre, Warmwell Road, Dorset, DT2 8JE
Telephone: 01305 853 245 | Hours: See site

39. Swansea Ski Centre, Upper Bank, Swansea, SA1 7DB
Telephone: 01792 645639

40. Clifton Hill Sports Centre, Belmont Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 2DJ
Telephone: 01392 253353 | Hours: See site

41. Oval Ski Club, Wirral, Liverpool, Merseyside, CH63 7LF
Telephone: 0151 645 2452 | Hours: See site

42. Telford Snowboard & Ski Centre, Court Street, Madeley, Telford, TF7 5DZ
Telephone: 01952 382688 | Hours: See site

Catching Up with the FIS World Cup – Part Two

Published on Friday, March 28, 2008 in News and Ski. 0 Comments Tags: Events, FIS World Cup, News, Skiing, Snowboarding.

The FIS World Cup finally concluded on March 15th 2008 and it’s been a long winter. In fact, the snow is still falling in buckets, with some resorts claiming last weekend had their best ski conditions yet! Following part one, the second part of this FIS World Cup coverage will look at the final winners that came through in the last 3 weeks of the competitions.

FIS World Cup - Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller

March

  • As the month rolled into action, Lindsey Jacobellis and Nick Baumgartner took the seventh snowboard cross by storm, claiming a great double victory for the USA. Following the win, Jacobellis moved to first in the overall standings, whilst it was Baumgartner first ever World Cup win.
  • During stormy conditions in Marienbad (Czech Republic), Guilbaut Colas of France took the victory in the Men’s Dual moguls, closing the gap between him and Australia’s Dale Begg-Smith in the process. Meanwhile in the Ladies’, Aiko Uemura held on for the win which moved her into first place overall.
  • Over 30,000 attended Moscow’s first ever Freestyle FIS World Cup city aerials event, despite the difficult winds. Canada’s Steve Omischl managed his seventh podium from eight starts in the Men’s event, whilst Emily Cook of USA took a well-earned first victory.
  • At the Free Technique Sprint in the Finnish city of Lahti, Chandra Crawford (2006 Olympic Champion) of Canada snatched the Ladies’ win after a close encounter with Russian Natalia Matveeva. The Men’s event was equally close as Anders Gloersen (Norway) snatched first from Andrew Newell (USA).
  • The day afterwards in Lahti, Virpi Kuitunen (Finland) claimed the win on home soil, with a 4.7 second gap between her and runner-up Valentina Shevchenko (Ukraine). In the Men’s, Lukas Bauer (Czech Republic) finished way ahead of the chasing pack, putting him even further out in front in the overall standings.
  • At the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom in Lake Placid (USA), Mathieu Bozzetto (France) swept through to first, marking his 35th World Cup win. He dedicated his win to the late Jean-Pierre Remondet who was his first coach. “Yesterday, my first coach who brought me to snowboarding in 1990 passed away in France. I dedicate this win to [him]“. Svetlana Boldikova (Russia) took the Ladies’ victory with a career first.
  • At the wonderful City Sprint of Drammen (Norway), Ola Vigen Hattestad took victory on his homeland in the Men’s; the second of his career. While Virpi Kuitunen (Finland) won fifth victory of her season in the Ladies’ after controlling throughout.
  • Grindelwald (Switzerland) was home to a great Ski Cross in decent conditions, following a nice dump of powder preceding the event. Sasa Faric (Slovenia) managed a career second victory in the Ladies’ event, also making it her second podium of the season. Lars Lewen (Sweden) was the clear winner in the Men’s with his first ever World Cup victory. Yet there was bigger news with Tomas Kraus (Czech Republic) clinching the overall World Cup title. With two events still left he’s a clear 231 points in the lead and now unreachable.
  • In the Free Technique at Holmenkollen (Norway), Valentina Shevchenko of Ukraine came from behind after a bad start to take her second win of the season. In the Men’s, it was Anders Soedergren of Sweden winning the plaudits, winning for the second time in his career by an incredible 2.32 minutes.
  • The Freestyle FIS World Cup aerials finished in Davos (Switzerland) with Steve Omischl (Canada) and Jacqui Cooper (Australia) confirming their World Cup title wins. Another award was dished out with Allison Treleaven (USA) winning ‘Rookie of the Year’ after making it to the top 10 in her first ever World Cup.
  • Dubbed as one of the best events of the World Cup yet, the penultimate Snowboard Cross was a close affair in both runs. In the Men’s, Pierre Vaultier headed an all French podium – the first time France have held the top three positions in five years. The Ladies’ event was nipped by the reigning world champion, Lindsey Jacobellis (USA), even though she crashed at the final arch and crossed the line head-first.
  • Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands) took home the victory and the title. The Dutch haven’t won a World Cup title for thirteen years, making this an extra sweet achievement for Sauerbreij. “Winning the World Cup title is unbelievable. I had so many good results this winter but so had Heidi [Neururer]. Throughout the whole season it was a very tough battle with her. Today, I gave it everything to keep hold on the World Cup lead. This effort finally paid off”.
  • At the Ski Cross in Meiringen (Switzerland), Ophelie David of France took an incredible fifth win in a row to move 144 points ahead of second place Sasa Faric of Slovenia.
  • The Nordic Combined World Cup title was settled in Holmenkollen (Norway) with Ronny Ackermann of Germany claiming the award, despite not featuring on the podium in the day’s event.
  • Didier Cuche of Switzerland claimed his second Crystal Globe in the Downhill after the cancellation the final event in Bormio, Italy. The weather was just slightly too warm, making the famous Stelvio Pass a little too dangerous for competition. However, Bode Miller still leads in the overall rankings by 169 points.
  • In the Freestyle Half-pipe, Canada stole both World Cup trophies after Sarah Burke and Matthew Heyward were announced the overall winners. Heyward didn’t actually compete in the final event, but had already done enough in the run-up to secure the top spot.
  • Lindsey Vonn became only the second American Lady to win the World Cup Downhill trophy, despite the cancellation of the events in Bormio. “[Ever] since I saw the crystal globe held by Picabo Street in the 90s when she was on an exhibition tour in our area, I have been dreaming of it. I’m very proud to have accomplished this exciting performance.”
  • The Snowboarding Cross World Cup came to a close with Pierre Vaultier maintaining his lead and winning the Crystal Globe for France in the Men’s. Maelle Ricker of Canada managed to collect the Ladies’ trophy after a surprise exit from Lindsey Jacobellis. “It’s nice that I won. I had a very constant season including a lot of cool battles with Lindsey Jacobellis. It’s a bummer that she is not here. I’m happy with all of my results – although I didn’t do that well today.”
  • Hannes Reichelt caused a major upset in the Super-G to overtake the Swiss Didier Cuche by a single point and snatch the World Cup title. While in the Ladies’, Maria Riesch of Germany clinched the Crystal Globe, despite finishing sixth in the final event. Incredibly, it’s her second of the championships.
  • Dale Begg-Smith of Australia and Aiko Uemura of Japan were both on form again to confirm their World Cup titles in the Men’s and Ladies’ respectively.
  • At the Parallel event finals, Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands) and Benjamin Karl (Austria) claimed the Crystal Globes with excellent showings in Valmalenco, Italy.
  • Norway secured a superb double victory in the last Big Air of the World Cup, with Kim-Rune Hansen finishing first and Gjermund Braaten a close second. Stefan Gimpl of Austria has already taken the title home after the last event, but still managed a respectable third place.
  • Thomas Morgenstern finished 19th in the final World Cup Ski Flying competition, but had already done enough to be named overall winner. “Today a dream has come true. I was dreaming of this my whole lifetime. I’m happy now that the season is over. I had no more energy left to be succesull in the last competitions.”
  • Following her win at the last Slalom in Bormio, Marlies Schild of Austria kept her World Cup title. In the Men’s Giant Slalom, Ted Ligety followed in the footsteps of Phil Mahre and Bode Miller to become only the third ever American to win this Crystal Globe.
  • The overall Crystal Globes were finally decided with Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller taking the glory. This double-header for USA marks the first ocassion in 25 years for two Americans to grasp the prestigious titles.
  • Denise Karbon of Italy clinched the Ladies’ Giant Slalom after winning five of all seven events this season. “It has been an amazing season for me, I surely reached much more than I expected, I’m really proud of my achievements this winter”.