Cool £1m to get people skiing

OLDHAMERS are being encouraged to grab a piste of the action — by taking up skiing and snowboarding.

With the 2010 Winter Olympics in progress, Sport England and Snowsport England have announced that Manchester’s Chill Factore and Ski Rossendale are among 10 facilities sharing £1 million to help get more people on the slopes.

The Government and National Lottery funding will also help talented athletes move closer to their dreams of competing in future Winter Olympics.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe MP said: “It is great news that this extra funding from the Government and the National Lottery will help improve facilities for winter sports — giving more people the chance to experience skiing and snowboarding without even leaving the country.”

Chill Factore has highly qualified instructors offering tuition for beginners to experts and is working to make snow sports more accessible by creating links with local authorities and school sports partnerships.

In the past year, more than 1,500 schools across the North-West have taken part in activities at the indoor real snow centre.

Chief executive Stephen Evans said: “We are delighted to have been named as a priority club for growing participation in snow sports.

“With the longest indoor real snow slope in the country, venues such as ours are a fantastic way for youngsters to both try out snow sports for first time and to continue to develop their skills.”

Ski Rossendale, near Burnley, teaches from children right up to the country’s top snowboarders.

Operations manager Diane Scott said: “Ski Rossendale has some truly promising talent but we also provide very basic and welcoming opportunities for new skiers and boarders.”


Slalom charity challenge

MENCAP North-West is looking for locals to help raise money in its Corporate Ski Challenge. Teams of four will be taking part in a slalom ski contest at Manchester’s Chill Factore.

Carole Headley, from the charity, said: “We are really excited about the ski challenge, it promises to be huge fun and we would encourage the local business community to pull on their ski boots and sign up for this fantastic event.”

Team entry is £200 and participants are asked to raise money in sponsorship, with funds raised helping Mencap in the North-West to support people with a learning disability to live independent and fulfilling lives.

For more details contact carole.headley@mencap.org.uk  or call 0161-968 9256.