Considering indoor skiing in the UK? We’re totally up for it! After all, the best things in life are frozen: ice cream, fish fingers and snowy slopes. Whizzing down a hillside with the promise of hot chocolate at the bottom is certainly worth the chill, and you don’t even have to jet all the way to the Alps to get a piece of the action. Check out our top picks for indoor skiing in the UK, where you can try out your skills on the indoor ski slopes and enjoy some snow play!
Crack out those salopettes and take a look at our top ndoor ski slopes and snow centres in the UK – they put the bbrrr into brilliant!
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Snozone, Castleford, West Yorkshire
With over 1,500 tonnes of real snow at Snozone Castleford, you could create an igloo the size of The Shard and still have some to spare! As it’s home to almost all the snow in West Yorkshire, all abilities are welcome for indoor skiing here; experts can zoom over jumps while beginners go slow on the nursery slopes. Your little ones in particular will have plenty to keep them from getting too chilly, like SnoAcademy Ski & Snowboard Club or Snoplay where they can make snow angels or even build a snowman. Oh, and you simply MUST have a go at sledging – it’s super fun!
Snozone Castelford is also home to SkiZone – a special area with revolving, fully adjustable slopes which are just like a real piste that never ends. It’s the perfect experience for complete beginners, as you can adjust the pace of the slopes, as if you were on a treadmill.
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Tamworth Snowdome, West Midlands
Climb to the tippy tops of the mountains at SnowDome Tamworth. The main indoor ski slope is a massive 170 metres long – one of the longest in the UK – and the tried and tested team are ready to get the whole family up and off their bums! Once your skills are polished to a high gleam, have a go at all sorts of frosty fun like twirling your way around an ice rink or flying at full speed on the tubing slide. Knees may be knocking at the top but expect big grins on the way down.
SnowDome might be one of the best indoor ski slopes in the UK but we’ve got to admit, one of our favourite things to do there is letting loose in the Snowplay area. Kids will dash straight there for a giant snowball fight with real snow, almost unheard of in the West Midlands!
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Snow Factor Braehead, Braehead, Ayrshire and Arran
Snow Factor Braehead is open 354 days a year, so spend at least a few of those going pro. With family-friendly sessions and a dedicated sledging slope, you’ll find everything you can ask from for an indoor skiing venue and more. Bigger kids can then attempt the ultimate challenge: the ice wall. There’s a real sense of achievement once you reach the top and given it’s one of the few places in the UK where you can give it a go, it’s not to be missed.
Whether you’re looking to learn how to handle the slopes as a complete beginner, or if you want to sharpen your skills, Snow Factor has a whole team of professional instructors to help you achieve your goals. After-school clubs and Snow Factor Race Training will have your kids raking in medals in no time!
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Chill Factore, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Keep heart rates up in sub-zero temperatures at Chill Factore. As well as the old classics like indoor skiing, there’s loads of wild rides to try – plus it’s just off the Greater Manchester ring road, so easy to access. Have a go at the Downhill Donuts where you could team up or race for the top spot; then of course there’s Mini Moose Land where the tiniest of tots can explore an ice maze and run wild in the soft play area.
Your day at Chill Factore wouldn’t be complete without a wild ride down the Snow Slide. Get ready to take your position in the double donut ring and make your way through the twists and turns down the slope ahead!
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The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
This glacial getaway has real snow conditions all year long so whatever weather Hertfordshire is serving outside, at The Snow Centre it’s always a snowy fairytale. If you’re looking for a large space where you can enjoy indoor skiing in the UK, look no further! The main slope is 160m long and both the skiing and snowboarding slopes are over 30m wide. It’s safe to say you’ll have plenty of space to find your feet on the snow. Almost like a real Alpine slope!
You could sign up for classes or grab a lift pass for all access to the indoor ski slope – just don’t miss the Ringo Slide which will have you slipping, sliding and spinning right to the bottom of a custom-built slope. It’s a family favourite though so to avoid any sad faces, be sure to book in advance.
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We Are Vertigo, Belfast, County Antrim
We Are Vertigo is home to Northern Ireland’s only indoor ski slope. They don’t use real snow which means learning to ski might be a lot easier for the little ones. In fact, they claim it’s 10 times faster than learning on the real thing! With a max 3:1 pupil/instructor ratio, every tiny skier will get all the personal attention they need.
If you’ve got experience with skiing, you’ll notice that the terrain is perfect for polishing off your technique and getting in the best shape possible for you next time on a real mountain slope. The angle and speed of the slope are fully adjustable, so your experience will be designed to suit your needs. Just don’t forget to book your skiing lesson online in advance!