Very much a feeler right now! From a previous thread, some people seem to think a brisky skiing trip would be good. I agree, however:

a) I don't think I can be trusted to organise something like this

I'm scared of flying

It's something I'd love to do, so I thought I would see how much interest there is and then maybe we can do something about it

Not too far away if theres a plane involved though please

No need for a plane Loz, its no further to drive than the Ring really...

And yes Loz, you can be trusted!!! Might I suggest 5 days skiing in the Swiss Alps somewhere - some great driving roads, probably 2 days there and 2 days back, so say a 10 day holiday?? Just an idea.

I'll start a list

1) Loz

2) Tom_vRS

Good thinking Tom. I could be tempted myself. Swmbo not keen on skiing. Although my brother in law is thinking of going next winter.

Only lunatics go skiing.

I've seen them with broken limbs, nasty contusions, and horrid lacerations.

How can chucking yourself down a hill attached to a bit of slippy plastic be fun?

Madness, I tell thee.

Skiing is awesome. Its essential to get atleast a days tuition on nursery slopes, but its easy to pick up the basics... Know your limits and you'll be fine.

Snow boarding on the other hand :eek:.

I'm rubbish, and I'll want to try snowboarding rather than risk getting spread wide open (insert reference to other thread here....)

1) Loz

2) Tom_vRS

3) Babs (tentative)

Lol!! Well I'm sure it will be possible to hire snowboard instead of skis

Never mind Skiiing, can we just go to Switzerland, have a fondue party, get ****ed, then drive home?

Maybe you need a mini-meet at Ski Rossendale*|*Welcome to Ski Rossendale*|*The North West's home of Snowsports to get a bit of practice in.

Its only about 3 miles from me, so I will come and watch!

Or is that new ski place next to the Trafford Centre open yet?

My brother in law lives in Rawtenstall. Can see it from his house. I'm going to the Trafford centre on monday so could check if it's open. People say snowboarding is harder, but I fancy trying it too.

Yes the one at trafford centre is open... IIRC its cheaper than rossendale too.

Never mind Skiiing, can we just go to Switzerland, have a fondue party, get ****ed, then drive home?

I'm up for that!

I've been to Rossendale years ago. I have been meaning to go to the indoor one nr Trafford Centre too. How much is it there again? You looked into it once didn't you Col?

Yeah has any one been to the one near the trafford centre?

Any reviews? Cost?

IIRC its £22 for a 1.5hour session peak time, £17 off peak

you would really need to look at going on a weekday, because it gets booked solid and really busy in the evenings and weekends.

You have to be able to ski to go on the slope because they only have a main slope and a training slope which is usually in use for lessons.

a taster lesson is £22 for 50 minutes.

Price List

Hmm snowboarding

Ski Ros is 17 quid for 2 hours or 19 quid for as long as you want. The one in manchester is not worth bothering with at the moment its too busy. After queueing for the lift i got 9 runs in 1.5 hours or about 5 mins of actual snowboarding. The one at castleford is better in this respect. As for a holiday, the swiss alps are hellish expensive. Austria would be cheaper, but it depends if you want to drive or fly.

Andorra is normally nice and cheap and pretty good for novice's.

Switzerland was just an idea based on me having 2 sucessful holidays there on a budget

Both times were by coach, and under £400 for a week in a hostel with full board, ski passes and kit etc. Spent about £30 of my own money each time IIRC

Only lunatics go skiing.

I've seen them with broken limbs, nasty contusions, and horrid lacerations.

How can chucking yourself down a hill attached to a bit of slippy plastic be fun?

Madness, I tell thee.

i dont think i have ever agreed with you before...

Much as I "can ski" it would literally be I can stay upright, go down a hill and stop at the bottom. I think I would want at least a lesson. I agree that Rossendale would be less busy at the mo. If we were gonna do a snow trip it might be worth going Rossendale for a practice or lesson for anyone who wants one?

I haven't been to Rossendale for yonks, so would be on for a trip one evening.

Note for beginners:

1) it's much harder to learn on a dry slope than snow, so if you can master Rossendale then snow is a breeze. Don't be put off if you don't like Rossendale - wait till you get to the snow - much better!

2) You need to have the basics before skiing by yourself. They do a taster session £14 for 45 mins for complete beginners.

I'd also like to try the Trafford Centre place, but I'll wait until the fuss has died down

As for the holiday...

Alps or Pyrenees gives the option of driving or flying. If you drive make sure you've got some way of getting your car home if you break your leg

Switzerland and France can be expensive. Austria and Andorra cheaper. But the snow can be dodgy in Andorra.

If you're anything but expert then I thoroughly recommend getting some lessons while out there, it's the only way to learn the techniques properly. If there's enough of us at similar levels then we should be in groups together and therefore have a good laugh

This sounds good.

Forgot to say. If you don't want to fly, and it's too far to sit in a car, there's always the choo-choo:

Snow train.

Well I completely agree - whilst I can snow plough quite comfortably, stopping and going quite quick isn't a problem, its been 4 years since I last went, so lessons are certainly in order.

Never been to an indoor place before, quite up for that too.

Ski :eek: no ta, bin bag or a tea tray and then a p1ss up

Andorra is a duty free place and its quite a cheap place to stay. The slopes are good, it can get a bit crowded at times, but it was 3 years ago when i went.

3 weeks today and im off to colorado skiing, sorry to rub it in