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About Us

Indoor Snow Centre near London

At our indoor snow centre in Hemel Hempstead, we have a whole host of different ski lessons, private snowboard lessons and ski lift passes to ensure there is always something for everyone and every ability. You can learn more about us below.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for new freestyle features each week, just beginning your Snowsports journey or simply want to have a whizz down our fun Ringo Slide, you’ll find it at The Snow Centre.

Off the slope join us in our alpine-themed restaurant on the 2nd floor - The Lodge Bar & Kitchen which offers panoramic views over the slope and an all-new menu that features traditional favourites and delicious alpine dishes too. It’s a great place to warm up and enjoy live sports events on one of our many big-screen TVs. 

If this sounds like the kind of place you'd like to work, find out how to Join Our Team.

Snowsports School

Our Snowsports School is unlike any other training facility in this country. Once only found in specialist centres in the Alps, the most effective instruction and coaching philosophies are now available right here in the UK.

Whether you’re a complete novice, a seasoned expert or anything in between, the ski and snowbaord courses running at our Snowsports School offer a wide and inclusive range of courses designed for you. We also provide elite competition level instruction and instructor education. All taught by our seasoned, experienced professionals.

Pete ‘Silver’ Gillespie, who heads up the Snowsports School has been a professional Snowsports instructor and  ski courses coach for more than 22 years. He says, ‘All our instructors are continually assessed and appraised to ensure we maintain the highest possible standards. Our lessons range from beginner classes for adults and children as young as four right up to courses for new instructors, private lessons and even video assessment.’

 

Find out more about our Head of Snowsports, Pete Gillespie who oversees the development of our instructors...

Our Equipment

We offer top-of-the-range ski and snowboard equipment from leading snowsports brand HEAD - available to you at no extra cost. Several gold medallists in the Winter Olympics have HEAD ski equipment, plus our partnership with HEAD means we’re giving you access to some of the newest equipment on the market.

The hire of our ski and snowboard equipment, including skis, snowboards, boots, poles and helmets, is included in the price of your lesson or lift pass.

For your own safety, a helmet is compulsory for all participants in lessons, freestyle activities, sledging and racing. Plus, all juniors (16 years and under) are required to wear a helmet.

Equipment

Ski/snowboard boots, skis and poles, snowboards, ringos and helmets are included in the price of your lesson or lift pass. You'll be able to collect these from our rental area after you have checked in. Please take note of your height, weight and shoe size details prior to arriving for your activity so our rental technicians can set up your equipment correctly. Bringing juniors along with you? Please make sure you know their details too.

Clothing

You will need to wear warm, waterproof clothing as the temperature of our indoor snow centre near London is a chilly -2 degrees. You can hire a jacket and/or trousers for just £7 for 1 item or £12 for both – please book online, or ask at the Check-In desk on arrival.

Gloves & Socks

The wearing of gloves is an essential requirement for any snow activity and it is also advisable to wear long socks. Gloves - £10.00, and socks - £5, can be purchased online for collection at the time of your snow activity, or at the Check-In desk on arrival.

Helmets

You will be required to wear a helmet during your lesson. Again, this is included in the price of your lesson pass. Helmets can be found on the helmet rack by the door to the slope entrance.
 

Off the slopes you can enjoy our alpine-themed restaurant

Get cosy and watch the snowsports from the panoramic views in The Lodge Bar & Kitchen. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a bite to eat from our updated menu, offering all of your classic favourites as well as dishes straight from the Alps. It’s also a great place to catch live Sky Sports games with a view from one of our many TVs. Or grab a quick bite to eat and a coffee at The Drop In Coffee Shop on the Ground Floor, the ideal place to pick up a post-ski hot chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether it’s a question about making a booking, or before you leave for your first trip to us, you’ll find the answers here.

Is it real snow?

Yes! We have a number of snow cannons that are used to make the snow overnight. Our technical team makes sure that the air temperature on the slope is always below zero to keep the snow in the best possible condition for your sessions. Find out more about how we make snow and discover our snow forecast.

Is there an entry fee?

There is no entry fee to enter the building. You can watch friends and family from the warmth of The Lodge Bar and Kitchen. All Lesson prices include your Lift Pass.

How old do you have to be to come to The Snow Centre?

Children as young as three years old can take to the slopes in our kids ski lessons.

If you’d like to come along for a fun session on the snow, we offer sledging sessions from four years and over.

Can I use the slope if I’ve never skied or snowboarded before?

The safety of all our guests is paramount, and for that reason, we insist on beginners taking lessons before hitting the slopes. For your own safety and for the safety of other slope users, guests purchasing a lift pass for the main slope must be able to meet our minimum standard of being able to control speed and direction, perform controlled linked turns and use the button lift unassisted. Anyone who cannot meet these standards must book a lesson with one of our instructors.

Can I teach my friend to ski or snowboard?

We cannot allow our guests to teach their friends or family on the slopes. Our instructors have insurance to teach our guests and therefore we insist that beginners take lessons with one of our instructors before going on to the slopes. 

What else is there to do other than skiing or snowboarding?

At The Snow Centre, we offer a number of activities other than skiing and snowboarding. Between April and October, we offer 30 minute sledging sessions where anyone from four years and upwards can have a slide on the slope. We also offer kids’ parties throughout the year to give your children an unforgettable birthday on the snow. Additionally, The Lodge Bar & Kitchen is open every day where we serve a variety of food and drinks.

What do we need to wear?

The temperature is between -2 and -6 degrees on the slope, so you need to ensure that you dress appropriately. Gloves are compulsory and we recommend wearing warm waterproof clothing and socks. Clothing items such as jeans are not recommended. If you don’t have any of these items you can hire a jacket and trousers from us for £8, purchase gloves for £10 and socks for £5.

What do we need to bring?

Upon completing your booking with The Snow Centre you will receive a booking confirmation email, which will include your booking reference number - please ensure you bring this number with you to speed up your check-in or beat the queues by using our fast-track check-in machines. If you are returning for another lesson please bring along your achievement card that you would have received after your previous lesson. We also recommend you wear warm waterproof clothing and thick socks, plus gloves are compulsory for all snow activities. Clothing can be hired for £7 for one item and £12 for two items, gloves can be purchased for £12.00 and socks for £6.

Is equipment included?

Your lesson or lift pass includes the hire of skis, ski boots and poles or snowboard and snowboard boots plus helmets.

Can I stay on after my lesson?

If you have reached our minimum standard you will be able to purchase a lift pass after your lesson to continue your time on the main slope. However, if you haven’t yet met our minimum standard you would need to book another lesson. Our minimum standard means that you can control speed and direction, link turns, stop when required and use the poma lift; this is what you will achieve after passing a level 5 lesson.

The word from the slopes

  • “Easy access from M1. Plenty of parking, simple registration, and quick service to collect skis, boots etc. Both lifts serving the main slopes worked faultlessly and although the session was quite busy I felt the slopes were quite free of other skiers & classes. I particularly liked the snow conditions and at the end enjoyed the amazing cafè overlooking the slopes. Reasonably priced menu. All told an excellent start to our skiing this year.”

  • “Very friendly staff. Good, clean facilities and very good prices on lessons & lift passes.”

  • “Very helpful staff would recommend to anyone trying to learn snow sports very down to earth people.”

  • “Great place, nothing negative to add. You can rent all of the equipment down to socks. Any kind of lessons available. Parking, gear store, cafe on site”

  • “Great lessons with experienced instructors who put kids and parents at their ease. The lessons were full as it was half term, but each child still didn’t have to wait too long between turns on the slope. It was easy to get and return equipment and the food in the restaurant was great and came promptly.”

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