Skiing in England!
I took the girls skiing today … in England!
The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead is one of the UK’s newest indoor real snow ski slopes, and the closest one to London.
TBH, we really didn’t know what to expect. We’ve been to ski learning centres that have rubber/plastic slopes, which are like trying to ski on a giant toothbrush. The Snow Centre has REAL snow, of the frozen man-made variety. If you squint, you can just about imagine yourself being in the Swiss Alps.
The whole set up fosters this feeling. There’s free hot beverages at the base of the slope, so you can ski up and warm yourself up without taking off your skis. You’ll be glad, as the centre is kept at -2 C during the day (and -6 C at night).Larger than life photographic images of the Alps decorate the walls. After skiing, you can go upstairs to The Lodge for lunch or a snack and relax on the sofas overlooking all the action on the slopes.
Every evening the centre makes snow by pumping water out of 10 snow guns. It takes 6 hours for the snow to set before it can be skied on again.
This was a perfect day out for us. The girls had made it to Level 4 skiing in Lake Tahoe, but that was a few years ago. With a lesson at The Snow Centre, they quickly worked their way through the beginner slope and onto the advanced one (the largest lesson slope in the UK), which gave them lots of confidence. We’re planning to ski again in Tahoe this Spring, so this is a great warm up.
How it works:
- You can ski, board or sledge.
- Pre-book a time to go, so you are assured a space. If you already know how to ski you just get a lift ticket, which includes equipment.
- If you are new to skiing book a lesson (which comes with lift use for the lesson and equipment).
- The only things you must have are your own sock and gloves (though you can purchase on-site).
- If you don’t have snow clothes or waterproofs, you can hire them on-site.
- The girls wore their kit to the centre, but there are changing rooms there you can use
- Bring you shoe size and weight so it’s easy to get your skis and boots (though they have a scale)
- Parents can watch from the upstairs viewing deck (with a drink :D)
- There’s a snow play area for little kids
Watch the video of our day trip:
We had loads of fun and the 10-year-old has made me promise to take her there for her birthday!
IF YOU GO:
The Snow Centre St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 9NH +44 0844 770 7227 thesnowcentre.com
Skiing: More reading
We were guests of The Snow Centre. As always, all opinions are my own and that of my family’s.
Sarah Ebner | 22nd Jan 16
We absolutely loved it when we went, even though we are absolute novices! Such a great place, and I would have thought brilliant if you were trying to brush up before a holiday. Our kids would love to go again.
Cathy (MummyTravels) | 21st Jan 16
I don’t think I knew this was here – what great facilities and perfect for before a ski trip so you don’t spend the first days relearning. Or in my case, learning from scratch!
Kate Davis | 21st Jan 16
This is really interesting. Obviously it is the season when there is a lot of talk about skiing and people are amazed that I’ve never been (well twice as a child on those toothbrush ones). My husband enjoyed it a lot when he was younger and I think would love to introduce the children to it, but I’m not sure we would go on a holiday unless I get more excited at the prospect.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com | 4th Jan 16
We went skiing on snow at the same time as you – up the road, at the Snozone in Milton Keynes. We could have waved at each other from our respective snow mountains! It was my first experience of indoor skiing on snow (and my kids’ first time on skis ever), and like you we had a great time.
Stephs Two Girls | 3rd Jan 16
You’ve reminded me that I’m starting a 6 week course of lessons there v soon – whoop! I’m almost a total novice, not sure I’ll ever be an expert but will have fun trying 🙂