Majestic Slopes and Artificial Snow: Enjoying a Ski Holiday in the UK
It's summer here in the UK, but it's never too early to start planning your next ski holiday. Most people plan their ski vacations well in advance, months usually but sometimes years. In the UK, there are a number of factors that might hinder the ability to go on a ski holiday. One of those is the issue of availability.
There are some people who can’t or don’t have the proper resources in terms of time and money to travel to ski destinations in North America and Europe. This shouldn’t stop them from dreaming of going on vacation, as luckily, there are quite a number of slopes in the UK which are perfect for all abilities.
From the scenic hills of the Scottish Highlands, to the pistes of the Pennines in England, avid skiers have more ways to enjoy a one-of-a-kind holiday in the United Kingdom. In addition, if there’s a lack of snow, there’s the option to travel to either a man-made or indoor slope.
The Stunning Ski Resorts of Scotland
Across Glencoe to Glenshee, Scotland offers at least five high-profile ski resorts. One of the most famous, most snow-sure destinations is Cairngorn Mountain Resort. Just £35 for a day pass, visitors can make the most of 35 runs, with three black runs. The ski resort also has 11 lifts in total, including the first and only funicular railway in Scotland.
The High Peaks of England
With England’s greatest, most majestic peaks acting as an ideal background, the Nevis Range ski resort conveniently invites outdoor adventurers to take the leap and enjoy the view. Less expensive compared to the aforementioned one in Scotland, Britain’s only mountain gondola takes skiers up Aonach Mor’s 650-meter slope. It also has 11 other lifts, with runs varying from green to red, as well as off-piste black runs.
The Man-Made Structures for City Slickers
Chill Factore in Manchester presents urban dwellers a chance to learn, revel in, and practice skiing amidst a busy metropolitan setting. Located near the Trafford Centre, the Chill Factore highlights the United Kingdom’s longest indoor slope made from artificial snow. For £30 it gets guests an hour pass with the necessary equipment to take advantage of the 180-meter slide. Other than skiing, Chill Factore also offers extreme sledging, snowscooting, and snowboarding.
Having readily available ski equipment for rent is awesome, but owning a set and bringing them during travels is another. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of using your own gear, as it gives you a more personal spin to this outdoor adventure. Of course, part of a traveling skier’s responsibility is to ensure that your baggage adheres to the weight requirements of an airline.
Parking4Less, a website that operates out of one of the UK’s busiest airports Gatwick, has a blog post that gives advice about this. The article, Beware of Cheap Flights Extra Cost, covers hold and hand luggage, which claims that weight conditions differ depending on the carrier. With this in mind, it’s vital to double, even triple check baggage limits, so that all your skiing gear adheres to an airline’s conditions.
All in all, whether you decide to challenge yourself with a Scottish slope, or delight in the views of England’s mountainous region, or even practice inside man-made establishments, it’s imperative to cover all the bases. This means making sure that everything is sorted out from the gear you use all the way to the airline luggage allowance. For more travel tips, ski destination suggestions, and more, check out The Snow Chasers Travel Tips section.
