LEARN TO AND

DOWNHILL FAST Snozone offers a range THE BEST of options to get your kids The Centre, Hemel Hempstead up to speed on the snow The closest real-snow slope to London, The Snow UK PLACES Centre has a 160x30m main run with two button lifts to ease congestion, and a beginner ‘trainer’ slope with a magic-carpet lift. There’s also an TO LEARN TO Alpine-themed restaurant with big windows onto Snozone,Milton Keynes the slopes so parents can watch kids’ progress. On Thursday and Friday evenings throughout the A range of lessons is on offer here, winter, progression, beginner and intermediate from one-to-ones for kids aged freestyle parks are carved into the slope. There’s three to five, for half-an-hour also sledging and ringo sliding plus a snow garden ski and (£39.99, additional infant from for very young children to take their first steps on £12.99), to beginner ski/board and snow. All equipment hire is included in the price freestyle lessons. |of lessons, but you need to take socks and gloves. Giving kids snowboard a headstart before they hit the slopes for lessons are available for children Slope opening times vary. From £48 for a aged seven upwards. One-to-one real can make all the difference, says ABI BUTCHER two-hour lesson; £185 for a beginner day adaptive ski and snowboard including drinks and food. thesnowcentre.com lessons are available for anyone with sensory, cognitive or physical impairment. One of Snozone’s most popular lessons are private family sessions, where everyone learns together. There are also snow-play sessions for families (suitable for children aged two and upwards), sledging, and school-holiday camps from one day to a full week for children aged seven to 15. Opening times vary. From £39.99 for a weekday infant private lesson – but seasonal offers apply, so check the website for updates. snozoneuk.com

Snow Factor, Glasgow Snow Factor has the longest real indoor Cardiff Ski - Snowboard Centre Snow Dome, Tamworth slope in the UK, and prides itself on being Ten minutes from Cardiff city centre, this This was the first full-sized real snow Scotland’s only year-round snowsport resort. popular dry ski slope was one of the UK’s slope in the UK when it opened in 1994, There are two slopes – a dedicated instruction first, back in 1969. While the 110x40m main with a 170x30m main run, equivalent to a slope and a main 168m run with four lifts. run has been modernised since, it still, as blue in-resort. Plus, there are two training Two-hour discover and boarding ever, relies strongly on volunteers. ‘Snow Academy’ areas of 30m and 25m. sessions are offered for kids aged seven-plus, Aside from skiing and boarding, there The teaches skiing for kids but the centre will start children aged three- is tubing (great for parties – no experience aged four to seven in kinder lessons, plus with a private lesson. Snowboarding is required) and freestyle features including juniors from 8-18, and there are fast- allowed from the age of five upwards. the only full stair set in the UK, an 8m rail, track three-hour sessions, group courses Off the slopes there’s ice-climbing, an a box, and more – plus elements for novices. and private lessons available. ice slide, sledging, pop-up festive grotto There’s a popular ski school for kids Sledging, tubing and holiday camps and a Bavarian-themed restaurant and aged seven to 16, plus a Mini Snow are on offer for kids aged 8-15. Disability bar, as well as an ice bar and ‘bier halle’. Bears club for three- to six-year-olds. Snowsport UK offers private or group Snow Factor offers disabled skiing along Slopes open at varying times. From lessons at a subsidised rate. Equipment with freestyle and race coaching – don’t £20 for a group session for adults, rental is included in the price of a ticket. be surprised if you spot a few GB and World kids £12, or £35 per person for private. Slope opens from 9am-11pm. From

Cup stars training on the slope here. skicardiff.co.uk £7.75 for a fun taster session, £37 ALL ON BOARD Slopes open from 9am-10pm. From £25 for a lesson, though if you join as Snow Dome provides for a one-hour ski lesson for children a member, discounts are available. lessons on three separate slopes aged three-plus. snowfactor.com snowdome.co.uk

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