Fancy skiing in Wiltshire? No, seriously, you really can, thanks to a fantastic new venue near Warminster that allows beginners to learn the basics and advanced skiers to fine tune their technique in a friendly, controlled and really enjoyable environment.
My teenage boys and I were paying a visit to the all new South Wilts Ski Club near Warminster for our first lessons on its fantastic endless ski slope. This very clever, but actually quite simple piece of kit, basically offers a conveyor belt style ski slope where the skier stays pretty much in the same place – once you’ve mastered the technique, that is – while the slope moves beneath you.
The brains and money behind the South Wilts Ski Slope is Moonpig founder, BBC Dragon and keen skier Nick Jenkins. Apparently, Nick had seen these slopes in The Netherlands where the concept started 20 years ago and there are over 50 indoor ski centres with an average of two revolving ski slopes.
He soon recognised the potential for the concept in the UK and chose a Wiltshire location, handily close to his own house, as the base of the first slope.
Fast forward not very far and here we were ready for our first lesson. OK, yes, I’d skied many years ago in France and had enjoyed a few dry ski slope lessons since, while the boys had both tried beginner’s snowboarding lessons, also on dry slopes. But this was something quite different.
In no time, super instructor Craig had us booked in, kitted out with skis, boots and helmets, and ready to hit the slope. Craig was fantastic. While I watched from the side, he had the boys starting off holding a horizontal pole at the bottom of the slope before slowly bringing the slope up to speed and getting the boys used to the basics.
It certainly helps to have a huge mirror at the bottom of the slope, allowing the skiers to see what they’re doing, while also allowing Craig to ski beside them while also being able to see the whole slope. The slope can be adjusted to between 13° and 22°, and speeds from 0 to 30kph.
While the boys were progressing at an impressive speed, even as superfit teens, it’s surprisingly hard work – apparently there’s a prize on offer for the first skier to last a full hour without stopping and falling over.
This meant that there was a chance for their old man to try out his skills. It’s important to note here that most sessions are limited to two skiers at a time, although Craig was OK to bend the rules a little for an hour long beginner’s lesson.
And you know what… this is loads of fun. In no time, I was back with the basics, keeping steady on the slope with a combination of parallel turns and snow ploughs, and even getting the slowest slalom ever going again.
Yes, of course it got competitive and yes, I was the first one to fall over. But no worries, Craig was quick to stop the slope, I quickly recovered my dignity and standing position and we were off again.
Coming towards the end of our hour, the next customers turned up – a family of four with two lads aged around 10 and 12 and about to try skiing for the first time. Lessons are available for ages four years and up, with the slope already booked up over half term and into November.
When it comes to cost, you can either book individual lessons or peak and off peak packages which start from £216 for six 30 minute sessions.
All-in-all this was cracking fun and a fantastic way to improve skiing skills, all without jetting off to snow-covered slopes. You can find our more at southwiltsski.com