REVIEW: Trying Wiltshire's new indoor ski slope as a beginner

In landlocked Wiltshire, where the highest point is Milk Hill on the Pewsey Downs 295 metres (968 ft) above sea level, I’ve found a place to develop my new-found sport.

It's the newly-launched indoor infinity ski slope at the South Wilts Ski Club, located at Bapton Manor Farm, not far from the A36 junction with the A303.

There, I met SWSC founder Nick Jenkins, who has ploughed £400,000 to capitalise on his own love for the sport.

I also bumped into skiing instructor Craig Philpott, fresh from working two seasons at Whistler in Canada, one of North America’s leading ski resorts.

John Baker with South Wilts Ski Club instructor Craig Philpott at the beginning of the practice session. (Image: South Wilts Ski Club)

I was asked to attend the SWSC press launch on Thursday (October 17) and grudgingly volunteered to give it a go as I’ve never been near a ski slope before.

My only prior experience of skiing was as an avid watcher of the BBC’s highly popular Ski Sunday programme in the early 1970s when I was a teenager.

However, I’d said I would give it a whirl, so I did, and even though I say it myself, I think I did okay as a complete beginner.

Craig sized me up for the ski boots and locked me in tightly to a pair that fitted my feet like a very snug glove.

I found I was walking like an astronaut, strapped into what felt like large heavy and cumbersome boots that came halfway up my calves.

Next, I was asked for my height – just under six feet tall – while Craig chose a long pair of skis to strap my boots into.

Pointing my toes at the front end of the grips, I was clamped into place, and two clicks later was making my way onto the infinity ski slope.

With speeds ranging from 0 to 18.6mph (30kph) on a revolving slope that can be adjusted from 13 degrees to 22 degrees, I felt distinctly out of my comfort zone, but I needn’t have worried.

Down came a bar for a complete beginner like myself to grip onto, and then Craig began to put me through my paces.

First, holding the bar and gently pushing back, trying to stay upright on the plastic surface, I was grateful to be able to hang onto the bar.

Gradually, my confidence increased as the practice session continued. (Image: South Wilts Ski Club)

Gradually, my confidence increased and I was able to venture further back during the 30-minute first practice session.

The next step was to point the front of my skis inwards, while keeping my legs apart, to simulate being able to stay in one spot despite the revolving slope dragging me forward.

Having just about mastered that technique, I asked how I was doing. ‘Not bad’, Craig responded.

I learn how to point my skis at the front. (Image: South Wilts Ski Club)

Apparently, a few short practice sessions on the indoor slope at SWSC are worth half a day’s experience on real snow on the nursery slopes.

After half an hour, it was time to give someone else a chance, so I was glad to get off the skis, unlock the boots and massage my by-now-aching calf muscles.

Would I give it another go – undoubtedly, the answer is yes. The minimum age to learn at SWSC is five and there’s no maximum age limit, so I stand a good chance.

I may not be as good as Alpine ski racer, Franz Klammer, or even the next British ski jumper Eddie the Eagle, but after a few more practice sessions, you never know – you may find me taking to the slopes for real.