Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Health and Recreation Department
Skiing – Closest Thing To Having Wings
Regardless of weather or time of year, you can put on some skis and experience the thrill of the slopes at Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre, honing your skills, getting fitter or introducing a friend or family member to the addictive world of skiing.
Whilst the sensation of skiing on fresh snow is hard to beat, Craigavon Golf & Ski Centre provides its own adrenaline rush and is a great consistent environment for learning and practicing. The techniques you use and learn on an artificial course are identical to snow and you will be well prepared for hitting the piste abroad. With increased confidence, you will spend less time on the nursery slopes, saving valuable time, energy and money in the longer term.
Tuition is provided by highly qualified instructors along with excellent modern equipment for schools, clubs, groups, families or individuals. The lesson programme is broken down into levels to help you progressively cover the skills needed to become a proficient slope user from beginner to advanced.
KEEPING YOU SAFE
LESSONS & SKI CLUBS
Whether you are taking your first steps in skiing, planning a group skiing holiday or looking for a fun activity with friends, we have got everything you need to make the most out of your snow time. We have two courses available and, as instructors, your safety and enjoyment are our main priority as you learn basic skiing skills and progress through the course.
LEARN TO SKI IN A DAY
An intense but fun day, taking you from beginner to skier! The day lesson is a group session (max 24), including 6.5 hours of tuition, covering beginner levels 1-3 with lunch & refreshment breaks. The total cost of the course is £82.00.
In this course, you will focus on balance and posture, how to control your speed, introduction to turns and how to use the button lift. We will be with you every step of the way, from putting on a pair of ski’s for the first time to completing your first run of the beginner slope.
This lesson is the ideal choice if you are keen to learn to ski as quickly as possible and perfect if you’re about to jet off for your first holiday to the mountains.
TWO HOUR GROUP LESSONS
Each level is a separate two-hour course, completed in one night.
These levels run every Tuesday night throughout the season (November – April).
Maximum of 12 pupils per lesson and costs £26.00 per person.
Our dedicated team of Alpine Star Instructors are experts at keeping the tuition fun & interactive. We run two different groups each session based on age, for a variety of ability levels:
- The Penguins Ages 5 – 7
- Alpine Juniors Ages 8 – 12
The lesson program follows the snow life awards. It’s great fun for the kids to progress through the groups as they develop their technique & understanding.
The penguins groups start with the penguin’s starter lesson and children work their way through the program while the older alpine juniors start the program at level 1.
PENGUIN LEVEL 2
(This course is ideal as a follow-on from level 1, or as a refresher for a child that has had a couple of days skiing on snow)
Develop a stronger snow plough
Learn to use the button lift
Learn to snow plough turn around markers
Each set consists of 6 x one-hour lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £57.00
ALPINE LEVEL ONE
Put Skis on and take them off
Side step up and down on nursery slope
Learn to rotate skis
Straight run to plough stop at markers on nursery slope
Plough glide down nursery slope
Plough glide and plough stop at markers on nursery slope
Each set consists of 4 x one and a half hour lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £57.00
ALPINE LEVEL TWO
(This course is ideal as a follow-on from Alpine Level One or for a child that has had a few days skiing on snow)
Develop a stronger snow plough
Use the button lift
Learn to snow plough turn around markers
Learn to control their speed by use of line
Each set consists of 4 x one and a half hour lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £57.00
JUNIOR SKI IN A DAY
Learn a new sport and make some friends during the school holidays (December) at the Golf & Ski centre. Complete beginners will be shown, at a comfortable pace, . The Junior Ski In A Day courses are fun packed days tailored specifically to suit the needs of juniors aged 11 to 16 years. Each course includes supervision and tuition from a fully qualified Golf & Ski centre instructor, hot lunch and refreshments all included.
Cost £62.00
One-to-one lessons or small group lessons, delivered at your pace and with a personal touch are a popular way to learn and develop your personal skiing ability, These sessions are tailored to your own requirements, from a complete beginner or nervous intermediate, right through to the advanced skier looking to develop carved turns.
These lessons are a great option to get started, fast track progression and boost confidence. Teaching can be more intense and focused so less time on the course is needed to develop your skills.
Couples or groups of similar mixed ability are welcome provided there is not too big a gap in standards. A complete beginner with someone who has not skied or boarded for many years can be a good combination, and a nervous intermediate with a parallel skier looking to improve can also work well together on a lesson. Please call or pop in to discuss if you are unsure of your level.
IINDIVIDUAL PRIVATE LESSON
Private one to one lessons are the fastest and most popular way to gain ski experience or improve your skills with our experienced instructors, who will cater for your individual requirements. Costs £51.50
PRIVATE LESSON (1-to-2)
Private 1-to-2 lessons are the fastest and most popular way to gain ski experience or improve your skills with our experienced instructors, who will cater to your individual requirements. Costs £62.00
PRIVATE LESSON (3-to-4)
Small group lessons of 3 – 4 people are perfect for families or a small group of friends that are looking to get ready for their ski holidays or just looking to have some fun on the slopes while learning new skills. Costs £108.00
PRIVATE LESSON (5-to-12)
Group lessons of 5 – 12 people are the best way for larger families and groups of friends to learn to ski and gain further experience, while having fun in a safe structured setting to gain ski experience. Cost £129.00
EDUCATIONAL AND YOUTH GROUPS
Thinking of taking your groups of kids skiing? Craigavon Golf/Ski Centre is the perfect place to give the participants the chance to ski in an outdoor setting, bond with friends and gain valuable experience with mountain skills that transfers onto the slopes
Costs £60.00 per 12 participants
All our lessons follow the same sylabus based on Snowsport’s Scotland’s Learn to Ski pathway
Ski Level 1
LEVEL 1 – I’VE NEVER SKIED BEFORE
If you’ve never put a pair of ski boots on before, you’re in safe hands! Our instructors will be with you every step of the way.
Ski Level 2
LEVEL 2 – I CAN CONTROL A SNOWPLOUGH IN A STRAIGHT LINE
If you’ve taken the first step with skiing and are now able to control a snowplough in a straight line, then Level 2 is for you
Ski Level 3
LEVEL 3 – I CAN MAKE BASIC SNOWPLOUGH TURNS
You’re well on your way to learning to ski. Our instructors will help you to continue progressing, using the button lift and perfecting your skills whilst ensuring you’re having fun every step of the way.
Ski Level 4
LEVEL 4 – I CAN CONTROL SPEED AND LINK SNOWPLOUGH TURNS
You’re gaining more control, developing posture & balance on the outside ski earlier in the turn
Pressure control – active stretching & absorption
Edge control – traverse across slope in both directions
SCHOOL SKI IN A DAY
Our aim is to provide the very highest standard of instruction at a reasonable cost. We have been working with a number of schools in designing a ski programme which will meet the needs of both school timetables and pupils.
In this course, you will focus on balance and posture, how to control your speed, introduction to turns and how to use the button lift. We will be with you every step of the way, from putting on a pair of skis for the first time to completing your first run on the beginner slope.
This choice is the ideal way to learn to ski in control before your first holiday to the mountains. It will save students approximately two days in ski school on the beginner slope and enable faster progression to the fun green and blue runs.
Given the restrictions which schools face in regard to transport costs and time pressures, there are a number of the day can operate.
Option 1
9.30am to 4.30pm
This ski day can take place on a school day or school holiday, the choice is yours.
Hire a bus to bring the children to the centre or save that cost and ask parents to drop off and pick up at the centre.
Option 2
9.30am to 4.30pm
Organise the ski day on a Sunday and ask parents to drop off and pick up.
Our team of instructors are all fully qualified and over the years have successfully taught thousands of people to both ski and snowboard. Our philosophy is to continually encourage and praise, creating a safe learning environment which is also fun.
COST
Minimum group size of 12 – £50.00 per person
Group size 13- 29 – £40.00 per person
Group size 30-48 – £35.00 per person
Price includes 6 hours tuition, equipment, hot lunch & breaks
SCHOOL SKI HOURLY LESSONS
School Ski Lessons (£60 x 12 participants- cost per hour)
We recommend a minimum of three two-hour sessions to help students feel safe and in control of their skis. Obviously the more lessons they have the quicker they will improve and the more fun they will have on their holiday.
These hourly sessions can be booked Monday- Friday 10am- 6pm, subject to availability.
Open practice is available for experienced skiers and boarders to use our main slope, without tuition. Sessions last for one hour.
For the enjoyment and safety of all of our customers, anyone wishing to enjoy the main slope without tuition must be an experienced slope user who meets our minimum skill level. Therefore, you must be able to use the lifts, control your speed and direction, perform controlled linked turns and be able to fit your boots correctly.
COST
Pre-pay online booking: Adult £7.20, Junior £5.00
Pay on the day: Adult £8.80, Junior £6.20
ESSENTIAL SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RECREATION SNOWSPORT SESSIONS
It is essential that those who wish to participate in recreation snowsport sessions meet the minimum standard in their chosen activity:
Be able to confidently use the ski tow
Be able to control speed and direction from the first get off point of the ski tow.
Be able to stop confidently
Be able to perform control linked turns.
Failure to meet the minimum requirements or any person found to be skiing or snowboarding dangerously will be asked to leave the slope without a refund.
Ski Ability NI, is based in Craigavon Golf Ski Centre and meet every Monday night from Oct – April.
We provide ski instruction for young people with additional needs. All members receive first rate instruction from a team of dedicated, qualified instructors, led by head coach Jill Coulter Sloan. The atmosphere of the club is relaxed and fun. It is important to us that every athlete feels appreciated and has a sense of achievement at the end of each training session.
Ski Ability NI is affiliated to the Special Olympics and our members are given the opportunity to take part in race events, with the most successful being chosen to represent Ireland in the Special Winter Olympics.
Four of our athletes have participated in the Special Winter Olympics in Korea 2013 and Austria 2017. They were very successful and brought home a total of six gold, silver and bronze medals.
All tasks are structured in a way that is challenging but stress free. Patience, praise and respect for everyone guides our instruction.
Annual Subscription – £150 per child
Times
Mondays October – April
Special Olympic session – 7pm – 8pm
Ski Ability session – 8pm – 9pm
Contact Details
Peadar McConville (Chairman) – 07798645264
Marian Gribbin (Secretary) – 07764936687
Facebook – Ski Ability NI
Twitter – @AbilitySkiNI
At the Ski Club of Northern Ireland our aims are to develop the skills of competent junior skiers with particular focus on improving technique, an introduction to and progression in slalom ski racing and most importantly, enjoyment of skiing. The club meets twice monthly from September to April and welcomes children from age 8 to 18 years. For more information, please contact Richard Wait on 07901955765.
ANNUAL FEES
One skier – £120
Two skiers – £190
Three skiers – £250
Four skiers – £300