If you’re new to snow or have never skied or snowboarded before, The Snow Centre has everything you need to know about taking your steps to the snow, including the many ski and snowboard lessons, from beginner lessons to private lessons for touching up skills.
Be sure to read our handy guide to everything you need to know and what to expect on your visit to the Snow Centre. Our snowboard and ski lessons are tailored for adults and children. You’re never too old or too young to learn to take to the slopes.
Learning to Ski and Snowboard at The Snow Centre
At The Snow Centre, we provide expert ski and snowboard lessons for adults (17+ years) and juniors (4-16 years) to help you feel confident and comfortable on our slopes. We’ve created a range of specially designed full-day ski lessons and private ski lessons that will teach you the core skills for skiing and snowboarding. We will then teach you how to develop your newly acquired skills and help you refine and perfect your technique.
Our adult skiing lessons hold a maximum of 10 people for skiing and six for adult snowboarding lessons, or eight on our Snowboarding Day Courses and Levels Five and above. Kids skiing lessons for four-year-olds have a maximum of three people: five people for ages 5–6, five for ages 7-10 and six for ages 11-16. Kids snowboarding lessons for ages 7-10 hold a maximum of four people and six for ages 11–16, except for Levels 5 and above, which have a maximum of eight. Our maximum group numbers are in place to ensure everyone gets the help and guidance they need.
If you have already achieved our Main Slope Ready Level and you're set to hit the slopes, there are a number of Snow Centre Lift Passes and sessions created to suit you. Please note that for safety reasons, you may not use our Main Slope on a Lift Pass unless you have already had experience in Snowsports, have passed our Level 5 Lesson, can make controlled turns on the Main Slope, stop and control your speed when required and use the button lift unassisted.
Your Steps to the Snow
Whether you're hitting our slopes on a lift pass, a lesson, skis, or a snowboard, you will need to know about the processes in place for checking in, the clothing you will need, and more. With our steps to the snow guide, you will be well on your way to gliding down the slopes in no time!
Checking in
After you book your lesson or lift pass, we will email you your booking reference. We now have contactless check-in for all our sessions using the QR code within your booking confirmation email. Check-in is now on the ground floor at our new reception desk or on our self-service screens. Please aim to arrive 30–45 minutes before your session is due to start to have enough time to check in, collect your equipment, and get changed.
Clothing
You can arrive dressed for the slopes. The temperature on the slope will range from -2°C to -6°C, so we recommend thick, warm socks and layered clothing. If you lack warm clothing, a jacket and/or trousers can be hired for just £7 for one item or £12 for both. You will need gloves for all slope activities. We don’t recommend jeans, as they usually get pretty waterlogged, but any waterproof clothing would be ideal.
If you have your own equipment, please bring it along. Helmets are compulsory, and their hire is included in your booking. Gloves and socks are available online or at our reception desk during the day. The gloves are £12, and the socks are £6. Helmet liners are also available to purchase for £5.
Lockers
Lockers are also available! They are digital and located alongside the changing rooms on the first floor, and they are entirely free to use.
Equipment
Whether you're skiing or snowboarding, make sure you know your height, weight, and shoe size so we can rent skis, snowboards, and boots from our equipment rental desk. If you are bringing a junior along, make sure you know their details, too.
We’ve partnered with HEAD to provide you with all the snowsports equipment you’ll need on the slope. Your lesson or lift pass includes renting your skis, snowboard, boots, poles, and helmet. So, there is no need to worry about extra costs. Equipment will also be sanitised after every use.
Helmets
At The Snow Centre, we promote safety awareness and ensure helmets are included in all snow sessions. Helmets and all your snow sports equipment can be collected on the first floor in the kit-up area. It is mandatory for all those taking part in an on-snow activity to wear a helmet. You can bring your own or borrow one of ours, available in various sizes.
Be ready to hit the slopes!
Our guide to getting snow ready should prepare you to fly down the slopes freestyle snowboarding or be in the appropriate attire for your first family ski lesson. Whether you are completely new to snowsports or have been gliding down the slopes since you could walk, we ensure that the Snow Centre is a place that can cater to every level.
After your session on the slope, why not join us for a taste of the Alps in The Lodge Bar on the second floor to enjoy a refreshing drink or a bite to eat. The lodge offers a full menu with drinks, snacks, meals, and alpine favourites available seven days a week. Check out our menu here.
If you have any questions about our Snow Centre or about booking your lesson, then be sure to contact us, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
