Inside Info on Indoor Ski Slopes

Many keen skiers and snowboarders book last minute ski holidays as they are a less expensive option. Last minute ski holidays might not offer you the choice of destination that paying full price would, but with so many excellent locations on offer, you are bound to find one you like.

Before heading off on your last minute ski holidays however, you might want to brush up on your snow sports skills. How, though, do you do that when you are still back at home? Luckily, in the UK there are plenty of snow centres and dry ski slopes perfect for refreshing your memory and getting you up to speed to tackle the slopes.

A Day on the Indoor Ski Slope

Most ski centres, whether they are dry ski slopes or snow domes, offer courses to suit all levels of ability. So, particularly if you are a beginner and have just booked one of the last minute ski holidays, you might want to enrol on a course to get you started. There are one-day courses as well as programmes that last much longer, so there's something to suit everyone. Skiing on an artificial slope is a great way to grasp the basics so that when you set off on the real ones, you don’t waste time and you'll already have some degree of confidence.

Some indoor centres hold freestyle nights and many also offer advanced training that includes racing and moguls.

The Difference Between Snow Centres and the Real Thing

While indoor snow centres are a good way to keep your skills tuned, learn the basics, and improve confidence, they provide a different experience to that you will encounter on real snow. Indoor slopes are shorter and there are no fresh powder opportunities, for example, but that said, they offer the perfect opportunity to get to know your equipment, get button lift savvy, and master new skills. For beginners they offer an ideal taster.

Turns on a dry slope are not as sharp as on real snow, but skills learned indoors are completely transferable. Some even say skiing or snowboarding indoors is harder than on the real thing, so when you do get out there on the mountain you will find the transition easy.

Different indoor slopes are made from varying materials, so techniques need to be altered slightly to suit, and it is always recommended to wear a helmet, especially if you are on an indoor slope that you are not familiar with.

If you're a beginner, you will probably be hiring equipment at an indoor centre; indeed, even if you have your own equipment, experts advise you leave it at home and hire anyway. Indoor slopes, especially dry ski slopes can be harsh on ski and board surfaces and you don’t want your pride and joy to get scratched and marked, especially when you're just about to set off to enjoy some real snow time!

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays in La Tania and other fantastic locations. If you're looking for last minute ski holidays in catered or self catered chalets, we can help. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.