Did you know that you don’t have to travel abroad to practice skiing or snowboarding? If you are interested in winter sports, the UK has some fantastic indoor ski slopes that offer a realistic winter sports experience. In this guide, we have picked 5 of the top indoor ski slopes in the UK for your benefit.
These indoor centres use complex freezing systems and technology to create snow that is suitable for skiing. They typically have one or two different sized slopes that can cater to beginners, intermediates, and experienced skiers. Also, many of the centres will also have restaurants or cafes, play areas for children, equipment hire, and offer lessons with experts!
Before visiting any of these centres, we advise checking their website or contacting them. Due to the COVID Pandemic, some facilities may be closed. Also, there may be restrictions on the number of people, and there could be social distancing guidelines in place.
SnowDome – Tamworth
- Location – Tamworth, West Midlands
- Website – https://www.snowdome.co.uk/
- Sports Available – Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice Skating
- Lessons Available – Yes
Our first choice is the SnowDome in Tamworth. This is a relatively easy ski slope to access due to its proximity to the M24 and M1.
In total, this indoor centre has three ski slopes. This includes two slopes for beginners at 25m and 30m, and a huge main slope that is a whopping 170m! As a result, this is one of the most spacious indoor ski centres in the UK and you should never feel that you are getting in other people’s way.
The ski slopes are of excellent quality and they have a range of rails, ramps, and boxes that are great if you want to try out some tricks either skiing or snowboarding. We also like that this centre has an ice-skating rink, a tobogganing course, and snow tubing! It offers so much more than a simple skiing experience – we are sure that everyone can find something they will enjoy.
SnowDome also has a snow play area for children which includes igloos! Lastly, if you want to relax, there is also a 25m swimming pool. Alternatively, there is three different cafes/restaurants on the premises including The Aspen Food Company, a Starbucks, and Après Ski bar & Pizzeria. Essentially you have everything you need for a full day of adventure and winter sports fun.
Snozone – Milton Keynes
- Location – Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
- Website – https://snozoneuk.com/
- Sports Available – Skiing, Snowboarding
- Lessons Available – Yes
Next, we have the Snozone in Milton Keynes. This centre is actually part of a chain of indoor ski slopes. The Snozone company has locations in Milton Keynes, Yorkshire, Basingstoke, and even Madrid in Spain. Each location has similar features, but the Milton Keynes centre is the original and considered the flagship.
Snozone in Milton Keynes is part of the popular Xscape centre which has a host of other amenities too. To create the ski slopes and keep them in top condition, each night an array of cannons fire over 1,500 tonnes of snow!
The main slope in this centre is 170m and has a brilliant array of routes and obstacles. Anyone can use the main slope, however, if you are a beginner, they may require that you first attend the snow school. This is a basic series of lessons that teach you skiing or snowboarding basics.
Aside from the main activities, you can also enjoy tobogganing and sledging here. There is also a unique style of hammerhead sledge that allows you to race down the slopes at terrific speeds. If you want a snack or meal during your visit, there is also the amazing Alpine Kitchen. This café serves a range of quality hot and cold food and drinks.
The Snow Centre – Hemel Hempstead
- Location – Hemel Hempstead, Greater London
- Website – https://www.thesnowcentre.com/
- Sports Available – Skiing, Snowboarding
- Lessons Available – Yes
If you live in the South of the UK, The Snow Centre is the perfect option. As one of the top indoor ski slopes in the UK, this centre is easily accessible for people in London and the surrounding areas.
For skiing and snowboarding, The Snow Centre has two immense slopes. The main slope is 160m long, and also 30m wide! Alternatively, if you are a beginner, there is also a “small” slope which is 100m. This is the lesson slope and it is where you can learn skiing and snowboarding basics from a team of highly trained experts.
The centre also has two rope tows so you can quickly get back to the top of the slope for your next downhill plunge. If you do not want to ski, you can use sledges and rubber rings on the slopes also – this could be a great way to introduce children to fast-paced sports.
The Snow Centre also offers a range of lessons for both adults and children. This includes skiing and snowboarding. The lessons are either in groups, but you can also pay extra for private lessons. For refreshment and foot, you can head to The Lodge. This is a brilliant bard and kitchen that is situated at the top of the slope for a superb view while you eat!
Chill Factore – Manchester
- Location – Manchester
- Website – https://www.chillfactore.com/
- Sports Available – Skiing, Snowboarding
- Lessons Available – Yes
If you live in the north of the UK, the Chill Factore in Manchester is one of the top indoor ski slopes in the UK to visit. This indoor ski slope is conveniently located opposite the Trafford Centre – this is a huge popular shopping centre in Manchester.
Chill Factore has two slopes – one for beginners, and the main slope. The beginner slope is 40m and is a great way to get comfortable with your skis or snowboard. This slope is also ideal for children and it has a tubing course and a dedicated snow play area.
Alternatively, the main slope is a whopping 180m and is considered one of the longest indoor slopes in the country. Regardless of your skill level, you should find an area of Chill Factore where you can ski or snowboard comfortably.
We also like that there is an insane 60m luge slide, and even a climbing wall! We didn’t put this on our list of the best indoor climbing walls in the UK, but it could be a great way to try some winter sports and climbing at once!
At the Chill Factore, you can also take a range of lessons with expert instructors. This includes lessons for sking and snowboarding, from beginner to intermediate levels. We also like that there is an on-site shop where you can purchase equipment and a café.
Snow Factor – Glasgow
- Location – Glasgow, Scotland
- Website – https://www.snowfactor.com/
- Sports Available – Skiing, Snowboarding, Ice Climbing
- Lessons Available – Yes
Our last pick is Snow Factor in Glasgow. This is one of the best indoor ski slopes in Scotland and it is easily accessible on the western side of Glasgow city centre.
This centre has a fantastic 200m main slope, which contains approximately 1700 tonnes of fresh snow! There is also a dedicated section for beginners and children. Children can enjoy sledging and tobogganing and you can even arrange children’s birthday parties here.
For food and drink, Snow Factor has the Bar Varia café. This is a Bavarian-themed café that serves a range of gourmet meals, and also has a full alcohol license.
Aside from skiing and snowboarding, we also like that this venue offers ice climbing. This is available on the dedicated ice wall which is one of the largest of it’s kind in the world. There is over 20 rope routes available on this wall, and it has steep walls of gradients between 85-90 degrees!
If you are a beginner, you can book lessons for skiing and snowboarding. There is also a lift pass available that gives you full access of the slopes and lift hill facilities.
Try Something Different in 2021 and Head to an Indoor Ski Slope!
There is often a misconception that to try winter sports you have to venture to European destinations like Austria and Switzerland. This simply isn’t true! As technologies have evolved, so has the availability of winter sports venues. As you can see from the above list of the top indoor ski slopes in the UK, there are plenty of places you can try skiing and snowboarding!
If you want to try something different this autumn and winter, this could be the perfect opportunity! Simply head to one of these epic locations and learn skiing or snowboarding. If you find that you enjoy these sports, this could open up a whole new world of possibilities for worldwide winter sports adventures!