Skiing

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Skiing

Skiing is a popular sport that takes place on snow, artificial surfaces and more recently, on indoor artificial snow slopes. It can be undertaken as a leisure activity or competitive sport and is suitable for most ages.

See Also:
Skiing, Snowboarding
Get Involved

An Overview of Skiing

Competitive skiing falls into two categories: Nordic and Alpine. These can then be further broken down into specific disciplines:

  • Cross-country Skiing
  • Ski jumping
  • Nordic combine
  • Combined Alpine skiing
  • Downhill Skiing
  • Salom Skiing
  • Giant slalom
  • Super-G
  • Para-alpine.
  • Freestyle skiing: includes mogul skiing, aerials, ski cross, half-pipe, and slopestyle.

Benefits

At its most basic, skiing offers a low-impact full-body workout. The whole body is involved with arms, core and legs receiving an equal workout. This ensures that no single muscle group is overstretched or stressed.

Costs

As part of GO SKI GO BOARD, all UK ski slopes offer equipment hire and tuition all inclusive in the cost. Artificial Slopes are dotted around the country and slightly cheaper to attend and for those looking for indoor snow, there are 5 across England.

You can typically take part in a GO SKI GO BOARD taster lesson for £11 (estimated national average) and to complete a beginners course (4-6hr) in the UK you can expect a cost between £85 (estimated national average).

Involvement

There are beginners classes all over the country, and you can pick up the basics quickly. So if you like the cold, the rush of speed and adrenaline then give it a go!

Getting involved is easy as there is a network of indoor snow centres and outdoor ski slopes across the UK. Visit www.goskigoboard.org.uk to find your nearest slope or club.

Adaptations and Equipment

Equipment used in skiing includes:

  • skis, which may have skins or wax applied for traction
  • Boots and bindings
  • poles
  • helmets and ski suits

Modern-day skis are of a shorter length, with reinforced edges and an advanced binding system that binds it to a plastic boot. There are a wide variety of skis for all types of skiing disciplines.

Facts

  • You can burn anything upto 400 calories per hour skiing
  • 'Skiing' is the only six-letter word in the English language with a double 'i' exactly in the middle.
  • Great Britain has one of the Top 30 Ski racers in the world - Dave Ryding. Dave started skiing on the dry slope in Pendle, Lancashire.
  • The next Winter Olympics is to be held in South Korea at Pyeongchang Resort. For the first time ever, Snowboard Big Air will be introduced as an Olympic Discipline.
  • You can reach speeds faster than cars! The fastest speed ever on skis is 156 miles p/hour recorded in 2015 by Italian speed-skier Simone Origone. Current downhill racers such as Lindsey Vonn and Bode Miller exceed speeds of 86 miles p/hour during competition.

Find Skiing Clubs/Groups Near You

Use the search below to find local organisations near you.

National Governing Bodies

Snowsport England

Contact Name
Claire / Gareth (Office)
Contact Email
info@snowsportengland.org.uk
Contact Telephone
01509 232323
Ackers Adventure

Ackers Adventure

Set in the heart of the Midlands, 2 miles from Birmingham City Centre, Ackers Adventure provides a range of outdoor activities including skiing, climbing, archery and canoeing!

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre is located on the outskirts of the city of Gloucester on the edge of the beautiful Cotswolds. Home to the UK's only permanent Big AirBag and is home to the longest ski slope in England and Wales.

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

SASP Sport Welfare Officers Forum

A online meeting for Sports Club Welfare & Safeguarding Officers based in Somerset.

You're invited to attend our club welfare forum for anyone involved in sport and physical activity in Somerset, but in particular those in your clubs who hold the role of 'club welfare officer' or 'safeguarding lead'.

If you're the Safeguarding or Welfare Officer at your Sports Club, please join Tracey Sweetland, Somerset Sport Welfare Officer at SASP to learn about local support and opportunities to assist you in your volunteer role.