SNOWBOARDING
Five things to remember when first going snowboarding
I Everyone falls over
We were born with feet. not a big plank on the end of our legs. Don't be dismayed if you end up spending as much of your first day on the snow on your arse as opposed to
sliding with grace and finesse. lt‘ll come to you (see below).
I Relax
62% of all accidents may occur in the home. but 100% of snowboarding injuries are exacerbated by not relaxing. As silly as this may sound, if you don't tense up when you fall over it vastly reduces the likelihood of any injury. The worst you should suffer is a
bruised ego. I Expect to get tired
It doesn't look like much. but after your first day's boarding you are bound to find there are parts of your body that have all these strange new muscles and they ache like buggery. It's only natural. so ensure that your accommodation has a bath to soak away
that stiffness. I No, you don’t look like a twat
Snowboarders, like skateboarders. strippers and rock stars can be as considered or as uninterested in their attire as they please. The fickle world of fashion need not be a worry. you need only get trussed up to stay warm, safe and comfy. When you're hurtling down a hill at plenty miles-an-hour. no-one will be checking out your 300 quid salopettes, only
your slick moves.
You’ll learn faster than you think Remember trying to master algebra or fathoming out a tax return? Snowboarding is a doddle in comparison. Despite any initial fears. you'll be surprised by the ease of the
learning curve. The basics take a little time but they soon come together and you‘ll be cutting a swathe through the powder in no time. (Mark Robertson)
skiing and snowboarding, while the terrain park on the summit is the biggest and one of most popular snow parks in Scotland. 35 Runs (7 green, 12 blue. 1 1 red. 5 black). Extensive off-piste skiing. Ski and snowboard schools and hire. Clothing hire. Artificial ski slope. Creche. Guiding. Sledging.
Prices: One-day lift pass: adult $22. student £17.50. junior £12.25. Ski hire: adult $314.50. junior £7.50. Snowboard hire: adult £17.50. junior £14. Instruction: class (2hr) £13. private (1 hr) £21. Special one-day beginners' rate: Skiing: adult £36. junior £28. Snowboarding: adult £41. junior 5233 (includes pass. hire and tuition).
By road: situated off the A82 and A86 near Spean Bridge.
By rail: nearest station is Fort William.
There are several dry ski slopes throughout the country. but there's no need to venture too far when there's almost certainly one right on your own doorstep.
GLASGOW
Glasgow Ski Centre Bellahouston Park, 16 Dumbreck Road. 0141 427 4991. Mon-Fri 10am—1pm; Sat—Sun 10am-8pm. Lessons and coaching are available.
20 THE LIST 3‘: Oct—14 Nov 2002
H
a .
I i' ‘ o‘(\ . \
o. “ "it
but phone before you go to check there are no races on. Peak (evenings and weekends): £13 for as long as you want. Off-peak (weekdays): £10 for as long as you want. Kids‘ prices available and students charged at off- peak rates at all times. Prices include ski. boot and pole hire.
Alternatively: Bearsden Ski Club. Stockiemuir Road. Bearsden. Glasgow G61. 0141 943 1500.
EDINBURGH
Mldlothlan Ski Centre Hillend, Biggar Road. 0131 445 4433. Mon-Sat 9.30am-9pm; Sun 9.30am-7pm. Lessons and coaching available. Adults: £7.10(1hr); {210(2hr). Kids: £4.70 (1 hr); £6.60 (2hr). Student discount of 20%. All prices include use of slopes and ski, pole and boot hire. Alternatively: Meadow Mill Sport and Ski Centre. Tranent EH33. 01875 614900.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES Aviemore Ski and Snowboard School, Aviemore, Inverness-shire PH22. 01479 810 296.
There are ski clubs based in both Glasgow and Edinburgh that coach and/or train throughout the year. Not only is this a sociable way to familiarise
SPORTSGUIDE
Ski all within range of home
SKIING AND TELEMARKING Uncharted ground and unbeatable off-piste skiing
You may need your thermal undies and. Yeah. it‘s a bit smaller and the season a bit shoner but skiing in Scotland isn't that far off its flash foreign cousins in Europe and NOrth America. Right on your doorstep there are five ski centres with miles of snow-covered piste. runs to suit all standards and hill top cafes serving the essential mulled wine to warm the cockles before the last run of the day.
And the beauty of it? You can ski all season. Nothing beats the freedom of popping up from Glasgow or Edinburgh for a day on the slopes.
If you‘d rather leave the crowds behind. why not try telemarking? This is the Next Big Thing in the realm of winter activities. fast becoming a firm favourite with winter sports junkies throughout the UK. All the best bits of winter hillwalking, Winter climbing and downhill skiing are rolled into one with breathtaking mountain scenery. uncharted ground and unbeatable off-piste skiing. It's definitely one for the fit and fearless though. as automated lifts come few and far between.
For the less pioneering among us. you can make the most of the lifts and the slopes at any of the ski centres. But be warned: you'll need good bendability and strong thighs. as this is one of the most demanding forms of skiing on the muscles. (Suzannah McMicking)
I For more details on ski centres see listings.
yourself with the spon. but also the clubs often organise transportation to and from the slopes. Better still. the emphasis is often as much on the apr‘es-ski as it is on the sporting activities.
Scottish Ski Club
David Leckie (membership secretary) 01397 704361. david.leckie@virgin.net. www.scotski.org.uk. As the largest ski club in Scotland. it also runs huts on the slopes of Glenshee, Glencoe. Nevis and Cairngorm. It has its own club coaches and caters for all ages. It offers race training and four times a year it has Alpine camps. Ordinary membership costs £33; family 5366: under 258 E22; juniors £15.
Glasgow Ski Club Nigel Brown (club secretary) 0141 639 5706. www.skiglasgow.co.uk. Membership costs approx 5222.
Glasgow Ski Centre Club Bellahouston Park, 16 Drumbreck Road, Glasgow G41 58W. 0141 427 4991. www.ski-glasgow.org.
A free course of lessons for new members: now there's an incentive. Membership entitles you to free use of the artificial ski slope and tow. the clubhouse and bar. reduced rates for all club services. priority on holidays and ski sales. as well as social events and other discounts. It also operates a junior ski school in the Oct. Christmas. Easter and summer holidays from Mon-Fri for kids aged six and over which costs 5340-250. Membership: $60 plus $250 joining fee (students); £150 plus $90 joining fee (couple).
Edinburgh Ski Club 2 Howe Street, Edinburgh EH3 6T0. 0131 220 3121. info@edinburghskiclub.org.uk, www.edinburghskiclub.org.uk. Members meet every Tue from 9pm in the Raeburn House Hotel. 1 12 Raeburn Place. Stockbridge. so come along to meet the gang. in Oct and Nov the Hillend Leagues take place and there's always the annual Christmas party if you haven't humiliated yOurself enough on the slopes. Membership gets you 10% discount at selected stores around Edinburgh and 1090—2090 off full area lift passes in Scotland. Membership: 1330 (5317 for under 185). >