LIFESTYLE

Did you have to sell your ski chalet this year? Fear not. Anna Britten shows you how to do winter sports without getting on a plane.

Few things compound the gloom of February more than hearing that your friends and neighbours are taking the family off to Breckenridge or Val d’Isère. Don’t be too piste off, though. Loads of winter sports can be enjoyed right here in the West Country without the need to pack a suitcase: we’ve got more dry ski slopes than you could shake a ski pole at, plus ice skating rinks and even some handsome mountainous regions (try the Brecon Beacons) that, if you’re lucky, may have a dusting of the white stuff on ’em at some point.

Bristol Ice Rink

Show your support for a Bristol institution threatened with the wrecking ball. With developers hoping to convert it into student flats this autumn, a petition to save Bristol Ice Rink had attracted well over 3,000 signatures at the time of writing. Since 1966 this skating spot has entertained (and improved the cardiovascular capacities of) generations of children, teenagers, and adults with a Torvill & Dean fantasy, not to mention ice hockey teams and professionals such as Robin Cousins. There are lengthy public sessions for all types of skaters from 10am every day as well as disco sessions on Wed, Fri and Sat evenings, private and group lessons, and junior ice hockey, ice karting and synchronised skating clubs. Mums and dads can join in or hang out in the fully licensed Bridge Bar of cafeteria.

BRISTOL ICE RINK FROGMORE ST, BRISTOL BS1 5NA, TEL: 0117 929 2148, WEB: WWW.JNLBRISTOL.CO.UK

Cardiff Ski & Snowboard Centre

Let’s face it, aesthetically speaking, Cardiff’s winter fun spot is hardly Cortina d’Ampezzo. However, with a 100 metre ski slope, an overhead Poma ski lift, inflatable tubes, something called a lubrication roller, floodlights and kids’ clubs and lessons at weekends (including a taster lesson option on Sunday afternoons), this is a terrific Saturday afternoon option for those living a snowball’s throw from the bridge.

CARDIFF SKI & SNOWBOARD CENTRE FAIRWATER RD, CARDIFF CF5 3JR, TEL: 029 2056 1793, WEB: WWW.SKICARDIFF.COM

Avon Ski & Action Centre

Home of the Avon Ski Club, this multi-activity centre invites you to ski, snowboard, toboggan and more (you can also abseil, power kite, drive 4x4s etc). Experienced skiers and snowboarders will appreciate the 165 metre main dry slope, complete with bends, moguls, bumps, jumps and a quarter pipe. They also specialise in tailor-made family days though, and even little ones as young as four can toboggan and ski. Birthday coming up? You can have a brilliant winter sports children’s party here, too. Non-skiers can watch from the Alpine Chalet style bar area, where drinks and light snacks are available along with stunning views over Bristol Channel.

AVON SKI & ACTION CENTRE LYNCOMBE DRIVE, CHURCHILL, BRISTOL BS25 5PQ, TEL: 01934 852335, WEB: WWW.AVONSKI.CO.UK

Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre

Activities for the whole family, from skiing or snowboard coaching and recreational skiing/boarding or just whizzing downhill in an inflatable ring. This is one of the best outdoor artificial ski centres in the UK offering nursery slope, 220 metre-long main slope, mogul run, and a recently renovated fun park featuring softer Snowflex landing, grind rail, quarter pipes and kick ramps. A raft of children’s clubs, camps, academies and the like. Fully licensed Lodge, too, for some après-dry ski action.

GLOUCESTER SKI & SNOWBOARD CENTRE ROBINSWOOD HILL, GLOUCESTER GL4 6EA, TEL: 01452 501438, WEB: WWW.GLOUCESTERSKI.COM

Pontypool Ski Centre

Offers a whopping 230 metre-long main slope, a beginners’ area, mogul run and Poma and Briton ski lifts. A ski school offers instruction for all standards of skiing and snowboarding from the novice to the expert. Food and drink available at the nearby leisure centre.

PONTYPOOL SKI CENTRE PONTYPOOL PARK, NR NEWPORT NP4 8AT, TEL: 01495 756955, WEB: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/YGEYD4L

Copyright Anna Britten 2012