As the credit crunch bites deeper, and the pound hits an all-time low against the euro, many families are scaling back their holiday plans for next year. Instead of a bucket and spade break on the Med, we may well be dodging downpours once again up and down our coastlines. But what about those who love winter mountain holidays and skiing or snowboarding? What's the alternative for them?
An hour's skiing in one of the snowdomes (Tamworth, Milton Keynes, Castleford etc) can set you back more than £20 - and real snow fans will never be satisfied with the artificial, dry slopes of, say, Bracknell or Sheffield; which leaves only the Scottish resorts as a viable alternative.
Or does it?
In fact, there is a little-known fourth option: hills that regularly open in England and Wales for skiers, snowboarders and, sometimes, tobogganists. Some are run by local ski clubs (often affiliated with an artificial slope), using farmland or national park land. Two of the hills are in the Lake District, one is in Northumberland, three are in County Durham and one is a snowy pass in Wales.
Don't snigger. In the past few years we've seen outdoor ice rinks popping up in most major UK cities, so if we get the snow, what's so funny about taking to our rolling hills for a slide? I took my first turns on a snowboard at one of the Cumbrian hills back in the late 1980s, and have since boarded all over the world. But I still have a soft spot for such homemade ingenuity and pluck. The Lakes are majestic in winter, and that outdoor-feeling is something that you cannot re-create in a warehouse-sized fridge outside Tamworth.
It goes without saying that although these resorts are genuine outdoor venues, and have runs of up to 600 or 800 metres, the skiing or snowboarding obviously cannot compete with the likes of Chamonix, Whistler or St Anton. Instead of craggy peaks and huge, multi-kilometre runs, you're more likely to be skiing through farm fields, meadows and along fell-sides. The pistes are basically the easiest route from the top of the lift to the bottom. Off piste does exist, but you may disturb some sheep. But the camaraderie can be as uplifting as the skiing is unexpected. Raise, Swinhope and Yad Moss - all in Cumbria - have permanent T-bar lifts and ski lodges serving food and drinks, and the latter even has two piste-bashers on hand to flatten out the runs and spread the snow around.
There is of course one big variable in all this - the snow. Ironically, northern Scotland struggled with conditions last week. But so far the winter of 2008/09 has been… well, wintry. Six of the resorts were open last weekend (Dec 6-7), and if temperatures remain low they'll be open again this coming weekend.
For the longer term, it's difficult to predict what kind of a winter the UK will be in for. Barry Grommett, a forecaster with the Met Office, says that the cold snap "pretty much bucks the trend of the milder winters we have become used to over the past few years". But Harry Kershaw, an amateur weather forecaster from Sale, Manchester, predicts that the coming winter will be long, cold and very snowy. He thinks we may be in for a repeat performance of the winter of 1963 - the Big Freeze. In that year thermometers dropped to -16C, the sea froze to a distance of one mile from Herne Bay, the Thames was briefly turned into a skating rink, and snow settled on much of the country from January until March. In some places, snow drifts of up to six metres were reported.
Harry's forecast may well be optimistic, but whenever the snow does hit these are the places to head:
Raise, Helvellyn, Cumbria
Raise is one of the England's best-known skiing centres having been open since 1936, and now boasts a permanently installed button lift, website, webcam, and access to some quite incredible off-piste runs. They've already had several fantastic days of snow, and look good for the coming weekend. There are several pistes (and even a
piste map – see the website) which include some black, steeper runs
at the top for expert skiers and snowboarders. If there's snow down
to the valley floor, each run can easily exceed 1km through plenty of
interesting terrain.
Facilities: One permanent button lift with lift pylons operated by the Lake District Ski Club, plus a lodge which is reputed to be the highest building in England. It was recently rebuilt and named the
Millennium Hut. Top station and vertical lift: 830m/110m. Cost: £7 for a day-pass, or £20 for a season pass, but all skiers and snowboarders must become members of the club before being allowed to use the facilities. Membership costs £23 per person or £34.50 for family membership. Contact: +44 (0)15395 35456, ldscsnowski.co.uk How to get there: Raise and Alston are on the A686 around 15 miles north-east from junction 40 on the M6. For detailed directions, see the ski club's website.
Yad Moss, Cumbria
Yad Moss is the biggest of the bunch, and a recent lottery grant has funded two piste bashers and a new slope-side cafe. Add in a great website, lots of pistes, interesting terrain to ski, and a decent skiing and snowboarding scene, and this is the place to head to make the most of the Cumbrian snow. Around 100 people visited last weekend, when several pistes were groomed and made for runs of around 800 metres. Of course, there's always the option of walking further along and getting fresh tracks, especially in gullies where snow may have drifted.
Facilities: One Poma stacking button lift with permanent pylons (the longest in England) plus two piste bashers all operated by the Carlisle Ski Club. Top station and vertical lift: 725m/125m. Cost: £15 for a day-pass non-membership, £7 with. Contact: +44 (0)1228 561634, yadmoss.co.uk How to get there: Take the B6277 about six miles south from Alston and Yad Moss is clearly visible on the left hand side.
Storey Arms, near Brecon, Wales
The Brecon Beacons in Wales are always filled with sledge enthusiasts at the first sign of snow. In the 1980s there was a hugely popular skiing movement there and if snow conditions persist there may be a revival. The Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre (+44 (0)1874 623 598) is well placed to give a snow report being high on the pass, although the person we spoke to told us "we wished they didn't ring to see if there's enough snow to come tobogganing, but I suppose we're the only way of finding out so we don't mind!" Pistes are non-existent, but the terrain is fantastic with plenty of gullies and smooth meadows to carve up.
Facilities: Rope tows operated by various ski clubs including Plas Y Brenin and Cardiff Ski Club have been known to turn up. In the 1980s, it was said to have hosted up to 600 people in one day, with six rope tows daisy-chained to the top. Last weekend's snowfall saw no rope
tow turning up, but according to the Storey Arms OEC "a few
snowboarders braved the walk to the summit." Top station and vertical lift: The top of Pen y Fan is 886 metres, but the rope tows are unlikely to go that high. There's nothing to stop you hiking however. The Storey Arms OEC car park is at 250 metres. Cost: Ski clubs haven't been up here for years, so there's no cost to report, but based on other areas, if they do set up some rope tows, and you've got £20 in your pocket, you'll probably get a good day's skiing. Contact: Either The Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre (+44 (0)1874 623 598), or Snowsports Wales +44 (0)29205 61904, or Cardiff Ski Club How to get there: Head to Libanus on the A470 on the north edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Allenheads, Northumberland
Last year's winter was fairly dire, with Allenheads open for a total of eight days. But this winter has already seen four days of great skiing, with the lifts predicted to be running this coming weekend. Call their snow hotline or check the website for daily reports. There are no specific "pistes" as such, but when both lifts are running there are about 220 metres of ascent which should give about 400-500 metres of skiing on the way back down through a variety of routes including a wide, open meadow at the top and a wooded area at the bottom.
Facilities: Two rope tows and one portable tow operated by the British Norwegian Ski Club, and a new club cabin with terrace to eat a packed lunch. The nearest café is only 150 metres away. Top station and vertical lift: 540m/60m. Cost: £25 for membership for the year. One-day taster session costs £10. Skiing and snowboarding only, no tobogganing allowed. Contact: +44 (0)1670 715719, ski-allenheads.co.uk How to get there: Allenheads lies directly south of Haydon Bridge on the B6295 - itself is around 15 miles west from Newcastle upon Tyne.
Swinhope Moor, Weardale, County Durham
Swinhope has had a fantastic start to the winter already, with its tow predicted to be open this coming weekend. Its website features a webcam, and there's a snow conditions hotline for prospective skiers. Over 250 members regularly ski on the slopes and non-members are free to turn up and buy a day-pass. The slopes at the top are wide, open and gentle, but there are plenty of gullies and interesting terrain to test intermediates and experts. This is as close to alpine conditions as you're likely to get in England, with runs over 1km entirely possible (though no official pistes), plus there's a full café with sun terrace and changing facilities on site.
Facilities: Two linked button lifts operated by the Weardale Ski Club plus a Kassbohrer piste basher to smooth the snow. Top station and vertical lift: 658m/170m. Cost: £15 for a day-pass. Also has a partnership with Yad Moss if snow conditions are bad. Skiing and snowboarding only - toboggans are not permitted. Contact: +44 (0)1388 527527 (snow conditions report), or +44 (0)1388 527125 to join the Weardale ski club How to get there: Take the A689 to Daddry Sheild and turn south towards Swinhope Head. The two lifts are on the north slopes of Dora's Seat. See the website for a detailed ordinance survey map.
Castleside, operated by Consett YMCA, County Durham
The good news is that Castleside has already hosted a decent snowboarding contingent last weekend. The bad news is that this ski hill is operated as a YMCA activity, offered by Consett and District YMCA, and can only be booked by groups of 10 or more for £300 per day including rope tow and tuition. Expect the terrain to offer around a 300-400 metre run.
Facilities: Two rope tows operated by Consett YMCA. Top station and vertical lift: 725m/50m Cost: £300 block booking, any snow equipment welcome, whether skis, snowboards, sledges or toboggans. Contact: Contact: +44 (0)1207 502680 How to get there: Castleside is just where the A68 meets the A692 around 10-miles south-west from Newcastle upon Tyne.
Harwood Common, County Durham
This south-facing slope has already seen two great days of skiing, and operates at weekends, during school holidays, and whenever there's sufficient snow to open the lifts and a club member to do so. The Harwood Ski Federation has an answer-phone message detailing conditions, and the slope accommodates skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, although classic toboggans with runners are discouraged as they plough the snow too much. The slope is relatively gentle, wide and open at the top, with the option of heading off into a narrow, fun gulley at the bottom for snowboarders or those who are more adventurous.
Facilities: Two parallel rope tows operated by the Harwood Ski Federation, plus a lodge offering toilets, tables and chairs. Top station and vertical lift: 686m/80m. Cost: : £10 for a day-pass, non-members welcome. Contact: +44 (0)1748 823164. How to get there: Harwood is around eight miles south of Alston on the B6277.
