Put on some skis and experience the thrill of the slopes – whether that’s dry-slope skiing at Activity ABC ski facility at Craigavon Golf Ski Centre or hitting the piste abroad. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll never look back!
As well as increasing your heart rate, skiing can also help you to burn around 3,000 calories during a 6 hour day on the slopes. It works all of your muscle groups and is great for your core stability. What better way to get fit and healthy than spending time outside on the slopes.
The centre is open throughout the year and offers skiers of all levels and ages the facilities to practice and learn new skills. 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.
Lessons
Under 13's Lessons
Over 13's Lessons
Private and Group Lessons
Ski Club NI
Open Practice
Under 13's Lessons
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. Its great fun for the kids to progress through the groups as they develop their technique & understanding.
The penguins groups start at the penguin’s starter lesson and work their way through the program while the older alpine juniors start the program at level 1.
Ski Experience Levels
Penguin Level 1
- 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 6 x 1 hour lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £55
Penguin Level 2
(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)
- Developing a stronger snowplough
- learn to use the button lift
- Learn to snowplough turn around markers
Each set consists of 6 x 1 hour lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £55
Alpine Level 1
- 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 1 and a half hour lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £55
Alpine Level 2
(ideal as a follow-on from Alpine level 1 or for a child that has had a few days skiing on snow)
- Develop a stronger snowplough
- 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 1.5 hrs lessons with a maximum of 10 pupils per lesson and costs £55
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 plus a 30-minute tubing session, hot lunch and refreshments all included.
Booking
Our syllabus
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 before 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 now. Our instructors will help you to continue progressing and using the button lift and perfecting your skills 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 direction
As a beginner, you have the option to take each level at a time (level 1-4) or do a full course of the three in one. Levels 1-3 are available as a full day lesson.
Courses Available
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 costing £80.
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.
Why Choose This Lesson?
This choice is ideal if you are keen to learn to ski as quickly as possible and even better if you’re about to jet off for your first holiday to the mountains. Maybe you want to take up a new skill or improve
2 Hour Group Lessons
Each level is a seperate 2 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 £25pp.
Booking
Private and Group Lessons
Private ski lessons are a popular way to learn and develop your personal skiing ability, whether it’s an individual lesson or group lesson, our experienced and dedicated instructors will take you through your first steps in skiing or improve your existing skills on the slope.
Individual Private Lesson
Private 1 – 1 lessons are the fastest and most popular way to gain ski experience or improve your skills with our experienced instructors, who will cater to any individual. Costs £50
Private Lesson (1-to-2)
Private 1 – 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 any individual. Costs £60
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 £105
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, while having fun in a safe structured setting to gain ski experience or to further your skiing ability.
Cost £125
Educational / Youth Groups (£55 per 12 participants)
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 and gain valuable experience along with mountain skills that transfers onto the slopes
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 ski’s 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 approx 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 we have come up with a couple of options.
Option 1
SKI IN A DAY 9.30am to 4.30pm
This 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 get the parents to do the drop off and pick up at the centre.
Option 2
SKI IN A DAY 9.30am to 4.30pm
This would be a Sunday and again parents could do the 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 (£58 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.
Theses hourly sessions can be booked Monday- Friday 10am- 6pm providing we have availability.
Open Practice
Open practice is available for skiers and boarders to use our main slope, without tuition, It is available to experienced skiers and boarders. Sessions last for 1 hours.
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/direction, perform controlled linked turns and be able to fit your boots correctly.
- Cost
Pre-pay online booking: Adult £7.00, Junior £5.00
Pay on the day: Adult £8.50, Junior £6.00
- ESSENTIAL 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 skiing/snowboarding dangerously will be asked to leave the slope without a refund.
Ski Ability NI, is based in Craigavon Golf Ski Centre. We 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 6 gold, silver and bronze medals.
All tasks are structured in a way that is challenging but stress free. There is lots of patience, praise and respect for everyone.
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
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Our Family Taster session is specifically designed for families to experience skiing for the first time. This introductory session is an open session for families who want to try the activity before committing to courses.
We run two different groups side by side based on age. Each group will have their own instructor to suit the ability level for each age group.
- 6:30pm
Group 1 – Ages 5-7
Group 2 – Ages 13+
- 7.30pm
Group 1 – Ages 8-12
Group 2 – Ages 13+
(Max 6 per group – booking is essential)
Family Taster session 6.30pm
Family Taster session 7.30pm
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.
Fees for the year:
- 1 skier – £120
- 2 skiers – £190
- 3 skiers – £250
- 4 skiers – £300
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