Seems a relatively inaccessible option, but there's a great dry slope in Sheffield (takes me an hour to get there from Manchester). I find it a much more pleasant alternative when the temp drops below 10 or there's no wind. With half pipe, big air jump, quarter pipe etc..... loadsa' fun www.sheffieldskivillage.co.uk

Dave - Gotta say a big thankyou for pointing me in the right direction - Went to the Ski village on Sunday and had a lesson - I'm hooked man!!!! wasn't easy getting over there and snake pass was pretty hairy but going back for more next week!! Great to have board experience before hand and snowboarding felt totally natural...except when I fell over and realised - no water....crack....

I took up snowboarding about 4/5 years ago as a cold weather alternative to freezing my b*****ks off in the Irish Sea, and had an absolute ball. A really really addictive sport, never quite as good as w/s, but great all the same. Sold all my gear a year or so back but am really getting the urge again.



There are a couple of great hills in North Wales well worth a visit, even with a sledge, when there has been a moderate snowfall.



Must invest in a new board !!!

Why trek all that way to Sheffield in dodgy Yorkshire when there's "Ski Rossendale" in Lancashire. A much better part of the country and you even get real snow if you're lucky.

www.ski-rossendale.co.uk

Cheers kaff, going to try that one next.

There's even Runcorn Ski slope ! Not the biggest but what the hell.



p.s. Mrs Ernie managed to dislocate her kneecap whilst carving on this very slope.