The increase in the number of dry ski slopes around the UK has helped promote a general interest in skiing and offer everyone the opportunity to try out this exciting sport any time of year.

Where to ski

Dry Slopes

• Choosing a slope
  When choosing a slope, look for good instruction, good hire equipment, good prices and a friendly atmosphere. Almost all centres hire out the equipment you need - skis, boots, poles - and you pay for hiring and tuition as a complete package. The poles are usually blunt at the bottom without a basket.

• The surface
  Some slopes are made from moulded plastic sheets, but the most common and successful is the 'Snowslope' made by Dendix. This is a stainless steel grid with upright bristles made of PVC. It is claimed to provide the type of skiing found on medium-packed snow.

• The size
  The size of the slopes vary between centres. Some larger centres have more than one slope. Many provide floodlit slopes for evening skiing.

• Advantages
  The slope is available all year round, so you can practise regularly.
  It's a good place to learn the basics if you are a beginner.
  It's somewhere to 'brush up' on your technique before your skiing holiday.

• Considerations
  Dry slopes are not as smooth as snow but some centres wet the track to make it more slippery.
  You need to wear old, thick clothes and strong gloves to protect you if you fall on the bristled matting.
  It is slower than skiing on snow.

• Choosing where to ski
  There are centres in Scotland and throughout central Europe within reasonable travelling distance. When choosing somewhere to ski, look at the costs of good instruction and the costs of hiring equipment if you need it. Many centres offer package deals for individuals or families that include tuition, equipment and accommodation.

• The surface
  The surface can vary depending on whether there have been any new snowfalls but generally, skiing is much faster on snow. Throughout the winter months, newspaper, TV and web sites provide daily updates of the snow situation in the resorts.

• The size
  Ski resorts cater for all abilities and there are long and short slopes with various levels of difficulty. As a beginner you will stay on small, nursery slopes or those marked green. More difficult runs are marked in blue, even harder runs are marked in red and the hardest are marked in black.

• Advantages
  You move faster and easier on snow.
  You can enjoy the atmosphere of being in a skiing resort.
  There are plenty of people around to offer help and advice.
  You have an opportunity to watch experienced skiers demonstrate a range of techniques.

• Considerations
  You need suitable clothes and equipment. (See Boots, Bindings and Skis)
  Basic tuition is vital.

Ski Clubs

The Ski Club of Great Britain has a countrywide membership. (See Information: Organisations)

Competitive Skiing

Skiing now attracts thousands of spectators who watch the sport at the top venues or on TV. As a spectator sport, it offers excitement, suspense and an incredible spectacle. Viewers are fascinated as skiers wend their way through the slalom races or rise to the ever-demanding challenges of the free style competitions. Here we look at some of the events held today.

Alpine Skiing

Slalom: a 'technical' downhill race where skiers negotiate obstacles known as gates. The gates, red and blue poles, are arranged vertically or horizontally down the course. Skiers often race in pairs, against each other on courses set side-by-side. After the first run, skiers switch courses. Both times are added together to give the competitor a combined time.

Giant Slalom: similar to the slalom but a longer race with the gates further apart. This tests the skier's ability to turn at faster speeds. As in the Slalom, a racer takes two runs, and is given a combined time.

Downhill: the fastest speed event of the Alpine races involving turns, twists and jumps. Skiers take two practise runs on the courses, but are only scored on their one competition run.

Super G: a speed event that is a combination of the Downhill and the Giant Slalom. Skiers take one run each, and their score is based solely on that one run.

Nordic Skiing

This is cross-country skiing. At competition level there are four events, each with their own rules and techniques: classic, free style, team and pursuit. Races vary in length.

Freestyle Skiing

Acroski: a graceful, artistic, and gymnastic type of skiing. The skier performs various tricks in a 90-second rehearsed routine, choreographed to music, down a short, not too-steep ski run.

Aerials: also known as acrobatic ski jumping. Skiers perform Upright Aerials, where competitors are not allowed to flip, or Inverted Aerials with multiple flips.

Mogul Skiing: a downhill course with moguls (bumps on a ski course). Mogul skiers negotiate a steep ski slope covered with moguls using the maximum number of turns and performing two upright aerial manoeuvres during the course.

Ski Jumps: a ski run that propels the skier into a long range jump. Every major competition venue has its own jump. Skiers are awarded points for distance, style and a good landing.

Top Level Competitions

Top competitions include the Winter Olympics, the World Championships and the World Cup.