If you feel like preparing the kids for your next trip to the Alps, consider trying the next best thing.
Skiing on an indoor slope is great fun for a family day out. It can provide a full-body workout and prepare the kids for the real thing.
Can you go skiing in London?
There are a number of indoor skiing options in and around London.
Indoor ski centres offer something extraordinary: the promise of real snow all year round!
Once upon a time, skiing in mid-July, and within just an hour of London, might have sounded like a pipe dream. With indoor ski slopes, it’s now a reality.
These centres also provide protection from the elements, which means that you can focus on the fun part: learning to ski in style.
Here, we look at some of the best indoor skiing facilities in or within driving distance of London and what each one has to offer.
1. Moving Mountains Ski
Henfield, West Sussex
Ages: 5 years+
Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars from 64 Google reviews
Moving Mountains Ski is an indoor conveyor slope facility.
When you go skiing at the Moving Mountains Ski centre, you ski down a moving floor covered in astroturf, which serves as a good substitute for snowy slopes!
In plain English, this means that you get to ski down a very large conveyor slope for either an hour or half an hour.
Much like a treadmill, the floor moves backward, and there are different speed settings and gradients to cater to a variety of abilities.
There’s a bar at the bottom to ensure that you’ll stay safe whilst having a good time.
This system eliminates the need to queue for a lift back up the slope! It is the largest facility of this kind in the UK, and it is unique in offering twin conveyor slopes.
At Moving Mountains, you also benefit from receiving real-time advice from your instructor, who can observe your skiing technique from the side of the slope.
With kids who are absolute beginners and are just learning to ski, the instructor will remain close by at all times.
This means that they’ll either ski by their side or track their movements from the bottom of the slope.
The instructor ratio is set at 3:1, which means that you receive close supervision and constant feedback.
Moving Mountains is approximately two hours away from London Bridge and Victoria Station.
Ski gear at Moving Mountains
All of the essential equipment that you’ll need will be provided as part of the package.
Moving Mountains provides skis and snowboards that have been specially prepared for their slopes, so they ask that you do not bring your own. However, you are welcome to bring your own boots and helmet if you have them.
Bear in mind, however, that you’ll need to dress appropriately!
This means that you should wear long sleeves (no jeans!), salopettes and a change of trousers. Goggles are not required.
Ski lessons at Moving Mountains
- Duo ski lessons lasting 90 minutes cost £44 and are available for those aged nine and up.
- 1:1 ski lessons are available for those aged 5+, and they cost £88.
- Private group lessons cost £220; these sessions can accommodate up to four people and are available for ages nine and up.
Moving Mountains reviews: what parents say
Moving Mountains Ski has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google from 64 reviews. Here’s what one parent had to say:
How to book Moving Mountains Ski
Bookings are taken by phone using the contact details on their website: Moving Mountains Ski
2. The Snow Centre
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Ages: 3 years+
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,843 reviews on Google
The Snow Centre is the closest indoor real snow slope to London: situated in Hemel Hempstead, it’s just a 25-minute journey away from London Euston.
It’s also the newest slope of its kind, having opened its doors to the public in May 2009, and it features the biggest beginner slope in the UK.
This impressive indoor Snowdome offers an expansive main slope. Measuring 160m in length and 30m wide, the main piste is served by four lifts.
It’s a lovely, authentic snow experience within easy reach of London. Kids can even enjoy playing in real snow in between skiing runs!
Ski gear at The Snow Centre
All of the equipment that you’ll need – skis, ski boots, poles, helmets and snowboards – are provided by The Snow Centre.
Visitors to The Snow Centre are encouraged to wear a warm waterproof jacket, waterproof gloves and thick socks, as the temperatures on the slope are between -2°C and -6°C.
You have the option of hiring a jacket and trousers on the day – it’s £7.00 for one item or £12.00 for both items.
You can also buy gloves and socks online for £10.00 and £5.00 respectively and collect them when you arrive at the centre.
Ski lessons at The Snow Centre
At The Snow Centre, you can choose between junior group ski lessons and private ski lessons.
The junior group lessons run for 1, 1.5 or 2 hours, with a 1-hour lesson for beginners starting at £22.00.
Your kids get to join those who are of a similar skiing ability, ranging from Level 1 (complete beginner) to Level 5 (advanced).
The age ranges for each class are as follows:
- 4-year-olds (maximum class size of five children)
- 5- to 6-year-olds (maximum class size of six children)
- 7- to 10-year-olds (maximum class size of eight children for skiing and four for snowboarding)
- 11- to 16-year-olds (maximum class size of 10 children for skiing and six for snowboarding)
The private ski lessons cater to those as young as three years of age: the infant lessons are available for those aged 3-5 and start at £62.00 for a half-hour session.
You have the option of choosing a one-to-one lesson or inviting along your kids’ friends and having them learn together.
The Snow Centre reviews: what parents say
The Snow Centre has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google from 2,843 reviews.
Reviewers of the Snow Centre have observed that the instructors are kind, patient and on-hand to provide help whenever it is needed.
The instructors all hold qualifications from either the British Association of Snowsports Instructors (BASI), the Irish Association of Snowsports Instructors (IASI) or from Snowsport England.
Here’s what one reviewer had to say:
How to book The Snow Centre
Bookings are taken directly on their website: The Snow Centre
3. Snozone
Milton Keynes
Ages: 3 years+
Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 from 2,890 reviews on Google
Snozone Milton Keynes also offers a bracingly authentic skiing experience. Whilst it’s a little further away from London than Hemel Hempstead’s Snow Centre, it can still be reached from London Euston in approximately one hour.
Snozone’s main ski piste is 170m long and 30m wide, and it’s served by two drag lifts. There’s also a learner slope that allows beginners to grow in confidence.
Ski gear at Snozone
This is another indoor ski facility that prides itself on its real snow surfaces. It’s -5°C on the slopes, so you’ll need to bring waterproof jackets, trousers and gloves!
Snozone provides all of the skiing and snowboarding essentials in the ticket price, so there’s no need to bring your own boots, skis, board, poles and helmets.
With that said, children receive a 10% discount if they bring their own skis (or snowboard) and boots.
For hygiene reasons, Snozone does not allow visitors to hire ski jackets, salopettes, gloves and socks, so you’ll need to bring your own.
Ski lessons at Snozone
During the week, a beginner ski lesson for juniors lasting one hour starts at £79.99. The starting price for the equivalent lesson at the weekends is £99.99.
Lockers are available with a £1 deposit, which is returned at the end of each session.
Group lessons are for either adults or juniors (15 and under); however, you can arrange a private lesson if you want to learn as a family.
Children between the ages of 3-10 are welcome to learn through these private lessons. Alternatively, they can participate in Snozone’s SnoAcademy.
Snozone’s SnoAcademy
Snozone’s SnoAcademy club runs during the school term, and it provides coaching for aspiring skiers and snowboarders.
The SnoAcademy is divided into two age groups (3- to 6-year-olds and 7- to 10-year-olds).
Both age groups have sessions that run on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and they can also get involved after school from Monday-Friday.
Snowboarding lessons are available to those aged seven and up.
Snozone reviews: what parents say
Snozone has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google from 2,890 reviews.
How to book Snozone
Bookings are taken directly on their website: Snozone
4. Skieasy
Dukes Meadows, Chiswick
Ages: 4 years+
Reviews: 4.2 out of 5 stars from 32 reviews on Google
Much like Moving Mountains Ski, Skieasy is a little different from most indoor ski slopes.
Rather than rely upon the traditional model of snow machines, queues and lifts, Skieasy allows you to ski and snowboard down a conveyor belt structure.
When you ski at the Skieasy centre, you practise in a room in which the floor serves as fake snow (the material in question is thick astroturf). As you ski or snowboard, the floor moves back underneath you like a treadmill.
The faster the setting, the faster your speed! The floor of the room can also be tilted to provide a range of different gradients and difficulty levels.
There is also a bar at the bottom for safety, which you can hold onto should you need it.
The speed and the gradient of the slope are tweaked in accordance with the development of each skier.
The result is faster-paced lessons and the ability to ski for up to half an hour without any long stops.
Ski gear at Skieasy
All the gear is provided – this includes boots, skis, poles (if required) and helmets. You’re free to bring your own ski boots if you prefer.
Ski socks are available to buy from reception for £7.00.
There’s no need to show up in salopettes and ski gloves – just bring long sleeves and long trousers.
There’s also free parking, changing rooms and a cafe to cool off in after your lesson.
Ski lessons at Skieasy
Ski private lessons last half an hour and start at £80.00 during off-peak times (weekdays from 9 am – 4 pm), rising to £100.00 during peak times.
Children can ski from the age of four. However, they cannot share the slope with a friend or sibling until they are five.
Children aged seven and up are also welcome to have snowboarding lessons.
All of Skieasy’s instructors are fully qualified – many of the instructors have British qualifications (BASI/SSE), but there are also instructors with Irish and Canadian skiing qualifications.
The instructors have also received specific training with regard to Skieasy’s rotating ski track.
Skieasy is located just around the corner from Chiswick Bridge.
Skieasy reviews: what parents say
Skieasy has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google from 32 reviews.
Here is what one parent had to say:
If you like the idea of skiing in this unique way, take a look at Skieasy’s summer offers: summer package deals.
How to book Skieasy
Bookings are taken directly on their website: Skieasy
Choosing an indoor ski centre in London
Whilst there aren’t a vast number of indoor ski slopes near London, the facilities that are available have a lot to offer. This is true regardless of whether you’re a complete beginner or a master skier!
If you’re thinking about taking the kids to an indoor ski facility, you’ll need to ensure that they have suitable clothing.
A long-sleeved top is a must, and a warm waterproof jacket and trousers are needed if you’re heading to a facility with real snow.
You’ll also need to think about having a ski jacket, salopettes, gloves and socks, although there’s no need to bring these items if the ski facility provides them.
In most indoor ski slopes, many of the other key pieces of ski gear, i.e., skis, ski boots, poles, helmets and snowboards, are given to you there before you hit the slopes.
It’s also a good idea to take plenty of snacks with you in case they get peckish during their first practice session!
Taking your kids skiing at an indoor ski facility can help them learn how to ski and help build their confidence.
There are also plenty of options to choose from if you’re interested in ski classes or private ski lessons.
Here’s a quick recap of the best indoor ski centres in London:
Moving Mountains Ski
- Ages: 5 years+
- Private lessons: 1:1 ski lessons start at £88; Duo Ski lessons are £44pp; private groups for up to four people are £220
- Group lessons: Not available
The Snow Centre
- Ages: 3 years+
- Private lessons: start at £62 for a half-hour session
- Group lessons: start at £22 for one hour, rising to £33 for an hour and a half
Snozone
- Ages: 3 years+
- Private lessons: start at £79.99 for one hour off-peak (weekdays), rising to £99.99 at peak times (weekends)
- Group lessons: start at £37.99 for a two-hour lesson off-peak (weekdays), rising to £44.99 at weekends
Skieasy
- Ages: 4 years+
- Private lessons: £80.00 during off-peak times (weekdays from 9 am – 4 pm), rising to £100.00 for 30 minutes during peak times
- Group lessons: not available
