11:18am Friday 10th February 2006
By Craig Nelson
Hidden behind the main stand of Sandown Racecourse, the ski centre is not visible from any road.
If you drive the wrong way through Esher, you won't even see a road sign.
Yet these dry ski-slopes helped nurture Britain's only hope of an alpine medal at Turin 2006.
The lack of publicity doesn't seem to have harmed Sandown Ski Centre. There is still a waiting list for lessons during the ski season and the interest that former Surbiton High School pupil Chemmy Alcott and the Winter Olympics are sure to generate will only help to keep things ticking over.
Yet recent advances in alpine technology mean the three dry slopes at Sandown actually look a bit dated, especially when compared with the new indoor, artificial snow centre in Milton Keynes.
Still, with a baby, nursery and main slope, it is possible to get to a standard that would prepare any novice for a skiing holiday.
And don't be worried about accusations that dry slopes are a poor imitation of the real thing.
It's true, artificial snow is more realistic and nowhere near as painful if you happen to fall, but as senior instructor Andrew Plumb explained, if you can grasp the basic on matting, snow is easy.
"There's no question that a few lessons on a dry ski slope will make the transition to snow a lot easier," said Andrew.
"When you eventually go on a ski holiday you will be off and running a lot quicker and won't have to spend hours falling about on the baby slopes when you get there, which is not what it's all about.
"The techniques we teach here are identical to the ones taught on real snow. The only difference is that snow is a lot quicker, but also slightly more forgiving."
Sandown is still the most convenient venue for budding skiers in south west London, and its friendly atmosphere, comfortable apres-ski facilities and picturesque setting certainly make up for its shortcomings.
The ski centre is in a very relaxing spot, with a true alpine feel and views to match.
It is also part of a bigger sports club that boasts four squash courts, two saunas, a solarium, a modern fully equipped gymnasium and a dance and aerobics studio.
After taking a crash course at the venue, I can heartily recommend it for beginners, or lapsed skiers like myself who are in need of a refresher.
Half an hour into a private lesson from Ash one of 20 qualified ski instructors on site, who are all extremely friendly and understanding and I had already graduated from a sorry snow-plough to swish stem turns (anyone who knows what I am talking about will be dead impressed, honest).
The surface did seem a lot slower than I remembered from my time working in the French Alps seven years ago, but that was probably a good thing, considering my lack of practice.
Learning one-on-one is probably the quickest way to get started, but Sandown also offers group courses for all ages and abilities. These certainly add a nice social element, which is what skiing is all about.
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