Aside from being a fun day out for the family, the UK’s vast array of dry ski slopes and indoor snow centres provide the perfect opportunity for a pre-season warm up or to sample skiing or snowboarding for the first time. With slopes across the country, from Glasgow to Hemel Hempstead, it’s never been easier to visit your local centre, get fit and have heaps of fun, without the hefty price tag of travelling abroad.

The Snow Centre

What?

Where those celebrity-types trained before competing in Channel 4’s The Jump, The Snow Centre has a 160m real snow slope including boxes, rails and kickers for freestylers. Lessons for all abilities are also available. Three-hour adult lift passes cost from £27.20.

New for this season, the Snow Centre has teamed up with Switzerland Tourism to offer five holidays packages that include lessons in the UK followed by a trip to the Valais region in Switzerland.

Where?

Just outside the M25, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
More info thesnowcentre.com

Snozone

What?

Two indoor snow centres with real snow slopes and new freestyle terrain built each week. Ski and snowboard lessons are available for all levels and ages and there’s also sledging and ice sliding.

Where?

Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire and Castleford, West Yorkshire

More info snozoneuk.com

Chill Factore

What?

At 180m, this is the UK’s longest indoor real snow slope. As well as the usual lessons and skiing and snowboarding, Chill Factore offers mogul, ski cross and boardercross sessions. Monthly and weekly lift passes are available from £60 and £35 respectively.

Where?

Manchester
More info chillfactore.com

Snow Factor

What?

Scotland’s only indoor real snow slope is 168m long. There’s also an ice climbing wall, a Bavarian-themed restaurant and beer hall and an ice bar. Want to try an ice bar a little closer to home? Check out the pop-up Eis Haus bar at this year’s Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show in London’s Battersea Park from October 27 to 30.
Where?

Braehead, Glasgow
More info snowfactor.com

Snowdome

What?

A leisure complex with a 170m main slope, two separate learner slopes, an ice rink, swimming pool and gym. The main slope features freestyle elements such as boxes, rails and kickers, and there is also a children’s snowplay area, tubing and tobogganing. Lessons for all abilities are available.
Where?

Tamworth, Staffordshire
More info snowdome.co.uk

Snowtrax

What?

Dry slope with the UK’s largest independent ski and snowboard retailer store and workshop attached. The Air Attack freestyle jam competition, sponsored by Salomon, takes place on October 22 2016. The competition is open to skiers and snowboarders who have experience on freestyle equipment. There’s also an alpine adventure park for kids in a woodland area at the bottom of the ski slope.
Where?

Christchurch, Dorset
More info snowtrax.eu

Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Centre

What?

One of the first dry ski slopes in Britain, the original 90m slope was built in 1969. The slope is now 100m long and hosts lessons, school events and competitions. The slope has a range of freestyle features including a full stair set, a rainbow rail, whale tail, box, kickers and a quarter pipe.
Where?

10 minutes from Cardiff city centre
More info skicardiff.co.uk

Ski Rossendale

What?

The North West’s most popular dry ski slope has a 200m main slope as well as a freestyle park, nursery slope and quarter pipe. Lessons for all abilities are available and clubs and groups are welcome.
Where?

Rawtenstall, Lancashire
More info skirossendale.co.uk

Suffolk Ski Centre

What?

An outdoor dry slope, part of Suffolk Leisure Park. The slope is 180m and there’s also a toboggan run – lessons and courses are available for skiers and snowboarders of all levels from four years old and up.
Where?

Ipswich, Suffolk
More info suffolkskicentre.co.uk

Llandudno Ski Slope

What?

Boasting Britain’s longest toboggan run, the PermaSnow ski slope, in North Wales, hosts lessons for both skiers and snowboarders as well as tubing.
Where?

Llandudno, Conwy
More info jnlllandudno.co.uk

Plymouth Ski Slope and Snowboard Centre

What?

With three slopes on offer including the longest artificial slope in the South West, the centre is easily accessible from Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Private or group lessons are available for all abilities.
Where?

Plymouth, Devon
More info jnlplymouth.co.uk

Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre

What?

Located on the outskirts of Gloucester, on the edge of the Cotswolds, the centre is set across 12 acres. It has a 240m main slope, 250m recreational/racing slope, fun park, 40m nursery slope, Big Airbag and four lifts.
Where?

Gloucester, Gloucestershire
More info gloucesterski.com

Norfolk Snowsports Club

What?

The club is one of the largest member-run ski and snowboard clubs in the UK. It’s affiliated with Special Olympics UK and hosts adaptive sessions for those with disabilities fortnightly. The 170m main slope hosts a number of events and is open to everyone. Beginner courses are available on the adjoining nursery slope.
Where?

Norwich, Norfolk
More info norfolksnowsports.com

Snowsport England’s GO SKI GO BOARD campaign encourages people to learn to ski and snowboard in the UK. The campaign’s website has advice and information on how to find your nearest slope and how to organise beginner lessons or taster sessions