I wasn't sure what to expect as I couldn't quite get my head around the fact that it was real snow inside (I'd never been to a real snow inside place!). It is basically just like you've gone skiing, so you need your full skiing outfit, or at least very warm clothes, gloves etc. You can hire all the kit there - boots, skis etc, and can hire clothing too if you want to. I was pleasantly surprised to see how big the slope was, and it's plenty wide enough to give you the room you need if your skiing is at the level where you really like to traverse the piste, rather than just bomb straight down it. There's pomma lifts at either side, and a jump at the top, if you fancy doing a stunt or two. It feels very safe - it's obligatory to wear a helmet, and the staff were really good at monitoring the lifts for people falling, and are also really helpful if you ask them anything. We went on a Monday night, and it was pretty quiet - there was room for everyone, and the other skiers and boarders were really respectful of each other, and of people taking lessons. Because it was a Monday, there was an amazing deal of 4 hours for £15, which was really excellent. Otherwise, the cost would be a bit prohibitive for me to want to do on a regular basis. We skied for a bit, then had some food in Bar Varia, which overlooks the slopes,and you can just clunk right in there with your skiing boots on, and then we skied some more, which made for a really excellent night all in. Bar Varia also do an impressive range of real beers - wheat beers and such like, which was pretty surprising for a bar that's in a shopping centre. I didn't want to beer and ski, but it certainly was tempting. read more

Had a lesson with Becci, I interacted well with her she was very clear with her instructions and felt very relaxed and comfortable working with her. read more

Went ice-climbing on 3rd Jan (conversion course for rock climbers, £30, 3 hours on wall includes all gear). Really super, and can now return for £15 inc axe/boot/crampon hire (take own harness and helmet) or £18 inc all gear. An inexpensive alternative to eg Ratho, for a change, or if fingers are sore. Exercises core, shoulders, arms, etc, without overloading fingers, snd it's such a laugh. Ta Hames for enthusiastic instruction. Because we were there, tried snowboarding beginner lesson (skills 1 £39). Bever planned to start snowboarding, but y'know! Have time, if not money, to learn a new skill so have now had 5 lessons, which is enough to ve allowed on main slope on your own - that's important, as slope plus gear can be as cheap as £15 for 2-3 hours if you go at clever times, exprnsive otherwise! 5 lessons ain't the cheapest, however, all gear is included (get there REALLY early in case they don't have your size, or you get broken gear by mistake. Some gear is a little shabby, many helmets are just plain broken, but you can choose those yourself from the shelves, so check all buckles, adjusters, etc. INSTRUCTORS ARE ALL EXCELLENT, can't praise highly enough for care, enthusiasm, differentiation, safety, honesty. Almost all staff will give you lots of gear advice... I suggest a couple of chats before you think of buying. My friend took her bew board along and got lots of setup advice including loan of tools. Super! Thanks Alan, Nic, Marty, Justin! You do need 4, maybe 5 lessons. It's tough after about lesson 2-3. But hang in there, and go with a friend at your level! My only caveat is check how busy the beginner slope will be - most of our lessons were great, but one was so busy, we couldn't practise without tangling with others. Check in advance!! We spoke to the manager about this, positively, and I have to say he listened to us and as a result this is definitely still a 5 star rating. Oh, the bar is quite good too, cheapish food, good place to dump non-boarders. Decathlon across the road sells "impact shorts" for £24 to protect lower back, much better quality than my cheap ebay obe which wasn't quite thick enough! read more