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Skiing and snowboarding are exhilarating sports that children can start learning from as early as three. For older participants who want to stay fit and trim, skiing can burn up to 600 calories an hour and it’s a great way to strengthen the body’s “core stability” muscles. And don’t let Wales' lack of colossal white-capped peaks put you off.
An excellent way of getting to grips with the basics of skiing or snowboarding is to take lessons on one of the many artificial ski slopes scattered across Wales. Having grasped the key principles of your discipline, or at least having got a taste for what it feels like, you can save precious time on the snow when you actually get to the resort. Although skiing and riding on artificial surfaces cannot replicate the awesome sensation of naturally created real snow, artificial slopes are a very valuable learning tool. Another bonus is that skiing or riding on snow will seem easier and friendlier when you come to it.
There are nine ski centres in Wales, ncluding the four featured below. Contact details for all the centres are also listed in the table.
THE Cardiff Ski and Snowboard Centre is approved by the Wales Tourist Board's Accreditation Scheme for Activity Providers, ensuring a quality leisure facility and customer assurance. The facility offers a 100 metre ski slope, an overhead poma ski lift and a lubrication roller ensuring good skiing and snowboarding conditions even in dry weather. The complex is fully floodlit so whatever time you finish work there is always time to ski and board. Well-qualified and experienced ski school instructors ensure the centre can cater for the needs of a very wide range of skiers and snowboarders.
THE Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre, situated 415ft above sea level, boasts panoramic views of Llandudno, and offers the perfect environment for skiers and snowboarders. The centre is open throughout the year, and offers skiers, snowboarders and bladers of all levels the facilities to practise and learn new skills. There are active ski and snowboard clubs at the centre where instructors are available to give help and advice.
THE Rhiw Goch Ski and Mountain Bike Centre has a real alpine feel to it. The steep gradient will challenge the experienced skier, while the nursery slopes offer the novice and the intermediate skier greater areas on which to learn and gain confidence. The centre consists of a long wide main run with two nursery slopes all laid with Dendix matting and are fully floodlit, the main run and first nursery area are serviced with two tows, the main run has the new Britton Mist System to irrigate the slope. Instruction is available at all levels.
Plas y Brenin has the best technical artificial ski slope in North Wales. A variety of slope angles and features, button lift, full mist system for faster smoother skiing and flood lighting makes this ski slope suited to all skiers and snow boarders. The slope is open from 10.30am to 5.30pm 360 days a year. Top modern ski equipment is available for hire and qualified instructors can be hired by the hour or half day (pre booking needed ). For safety reasons visiting instructors must hold a ski instructors qualification.
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