Can't wait for your ski fix?
Posted by - Paul Russell on Tue 9th October 2012
Now the days are getting shorter and the air chillier, most of us will be starting to think about where we might go for our annual trip to the slopes. If you're getting a little impatient and want to start feeling the mountain vibes early, why not head to Birmingham’s NEC at the end of this month, for the British Ski and Board Show?
This annual event is the perfect place for snow-heads to find out what’s new on the slopes and catch up on everything from resort news through to consensus changes in technique. If you're uncertain about where to go on a ski weekend, or would like to find out more about what constitutes a chalet holiday, you can go along with an open mind and pretty soon you'll have a whole raft of ideas. In total, there is going to be more than 100 exhibitors from across the ski industry, each with something to show or sell!
As well as the stalls, you’ll be able to watch special shows and take part in some interactive experiences. It is a great place to take kids, with some fun family-oriented activities to take part in. The Tamworth SnowDome kids trail is perfect for children who haven’t yet been skiing, and is bound to get them excited about getting into the mountains for real. Four to eight year-olds can put skis on for the first time and slide around an indoor snow track under the watchful eye of expert instructors. There is also an indoor dry slope offering free ski and board lessons, and tubing for little ones. If you want to try something other than skiing, have a go at the rock climbing challenge. It could be your first step towards trying ice climbing – something many resorts offer.
If you’d rather watch others get active, you’ll love the Big Air Freestyle show. International performers, including Olympic medallists, show off their amazing jumping and twisting skills on skis and boards. If you've yet to try freestyle, this will certainly provide the inspiration you'll need to book a ski weekend to St Anton, where the world's best freestylers frequently congregate to show off their latest tricks. Shows of a different kind are also on offer from the Animal bike tour crew – their impressive aerial mountain bike show could just be enough to tempt you into the mountains in summer.
A particularly important part of the show is the expert talks. These cover all kinds of subjects related to skiing and boarding, and are a great way to pick up some tips and find out more about different resorts, equipment and fitness. Delivered by some of the skiing industry's leading lights, they're bound to be full of interesting pieces of information and advice
The show is on from 26th to 28th October. We guarantee if you haven’t already booked your chalet holiday before you go, it won’t take you long for you to do it when you get home.