Unless you are lucky enough to live near a Scottish ski resort, such as Glenshee, Glencoe or Cairngorm Mountain, the majority of people in the UK have to travel further afield to get their ski fix each year. However, snow may be closer than you think…
The UK is home to several indoor ski slopes that offer year-round skiing on ‘real’ snow. Disclaimer: This ‘real’ snow is created artificially by snow canons, but it’s as close as you can get to the real thing without being in the mountains!
Indoor ski slopes offer a great opportunity to refresh your ski legs or start learning the basics before your ski trip. All of the indoor ski slopes featured in this blog provide ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and abilities as well as other snowsport activities from tubing to mogul skiing!
Here’s our take on the best indoor ski slopes in the UK:
Chill Factore, Manchester
Best for: Slope length
Located next to the Trafford Centre, Chill Factore is home to the UK’s longest indoor ski slope at 180m. It also has a 40m beginner slope. Chill Factore offers lift passes for 1,2,3 and 8 hours, from £28.80, as well as a monthly unlimited lift pass for £89. The lift passes include boots, skis and poles, or a snowboard and a helmet. In addition to its general ski and snowboard sessions, Chill Factore hosts regular freestyle sessions, terrain challenges, moguls events and even ‘give it a go’ ski racing sessions.
SnowDome, Tamworth
Best for: Value for money
A short drive from Birmingham, SnowDome Tamworth was the first real snow indoor skiing venue to open in the UK (1994). Not only does it have indoor ski slopes but it also boasts an ice rink, climbing wall, swimming pool, gym and the UK’s only ice track. With a 170m main indoor ski slope and two teaching slopes, SnowDome Tamworth offers 1,2,3 hour or full-day lift passes from £18.00, including equipment hire. There are also discounted evening and morning sessions available.
Snozone, Milton Keynes
Best for: Accessibility
Located at the Xscape Centre in Milton Keynes, Snozone was the second indoor ski facility to open in the UK (2000). Snozone Milton Keynes is a popular indoor ski centre drawing in ski enthusiasts from a large catchment area across the south of England. With a 170m main indoor ski slope and a teaching slope, the centre offers 1,2,3 hour or full-day lift passes from £24.99, including equipment. Snozone is the only UK indoor ski and snowboard centre to have its own snow school dedicated to teaching children and adults with a range of physical challenges and disabilities (available at both UK Snozone sites).
The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead
Best for: Proximity to London
Located just a 30-minute train ride from London Euston, The Snow Centre is the closest indoor ski slope to London and is the UK’s newest indoor ski centre (opened 2009). Fit with modern snow-making facilities, The Snow Centre has a 160m main indoor ski slope as well as the UK’s largest indoor teaching slope at 100m. 1,2,3 and 6 hour lift passes are available starting from £33, with equipment included. A monthly unlimited lift pass is also available for £89. The Snow Centre offers regular mogul and freestyle sessions in addition to its general ski and snowboard sessions.
Snozone, Castleford
Best for: Freestyle sessions
Located a short drive from Leeds at the Xscape Centre, Snozone Castleford is the second Snozone indoor ski centre in the UK. It is slightly smaller than its southern sister site with a 150m long main indoor ski slope and 40m teaching slope. The centre offers 1,2,3 hour or full-day lift passes from £24.99, with equipment included. It also hosts regular freestyle development coaching sessions for all ability levels with several features from rails to kickers to enjoy.
Note: Prices shown in this blog are for one adult. Please check the respective websites for full price lists and up-to-date pricing.
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