The slope sits in the corner of Town Park at Palace Fields and has quietly been teaching Halton children to ski for decades. Group lessons for 11s and over are 75 minutes for £28. Younger children go on the four hour daytime course for 7 to 12s at £85, and private lessons, ski or snowboard, start at £45 for half an hour. Skis, boots and a helmet are included.
Snowboarding is for riders at least 1.4m tall with an adult size 4 foot. Skiing needs 1.1m and a child shoe size 10 or bigger. Under sevens can still learn, but only in a private lesson, from age five. Under fives are out entirely.
Tubing is the one to book if nobody wants a lesson. You sit in a big rubber ring and slide down. £45 for 30 minutes with five tubes, April until October half term.
The dress code is enforced: long trousers, long socks, arms and legs covered, no leggings, gloves strongly advised. Booking is compulsory and has to be done by phone, and there are no refunds if you cancel, though you can move a booking up to an hour before if there is space. The miniature railway runs on the same site, so a tubing session and a train ride makes a decent afternoon.
What it costs: Group ski lessons (11 and over, 75 minutes) £28, with 10% off for two or more on the same session. Four hour courses: daytime for 7 to 12s £85, afternoon for 11 and over £99. Private ski or snowboard lessons from £45 for 30 minutes (£10 each extra person), £80 for 60 minutes, £99 for a 60 minute family lesson for up to four. Open slope sessions for competent skiers £25, family of four £60. Tubing £45 for 30 minutes with five tubes. Ski, boot and helmet hire is included in lesson prices. Private lessons and tubing need a £20 deposit, and cancelled bookings are not refunded.
Worth knowing: Skiers need a child shoe size 10 and a height of 1.1m. The 75 minute group lessons are for 11 and over, children aged 7 to 12 learn on the four hour daytime course, and private lessons take children from 5. Snowboarding needs 1.4m and adult shoe size 4.
Seasonal: Tubing runs April until October half term. Check before travelling.
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