Year Around Nordic Skiing...In England!

Photos

Fri, Nov  30, 2007 - By Rollerski.co.uk

An article from http://www.rollerski.co.uk/ . Thanks to Hugh Pritchard for find it! Says Hugh, "I think this is 'nordic matting', that you can stride on. I have used it and it worked OK. I seem to remember it was better when a little damp, which was fine in the highlands of Scotland."

England's first all weather cross-country ski trail opened in Yorkshire last month. One of the most exciting recent developments in British cross-country skiing, this will undoubtedly raise the profile of the sport across the country.

The 1,200m trail, in the grounds of Stockeld Park near Wetherby, Yorkshire, gives British cross-country skiers - normally confined to rollerskis for their summer training - another training option (until the end of January at least...).

The trail, which winds through woodland and around a lake, is the brainchild of Peter Grant, owner of Stockeld and himself a keen skier. It has been designed to give novices of all ages an introduction to cross country skiing, using Salomon nordic equipment on the gently undulating trail. From dusk it is gently illuminated and, because the track is artificial, there’s no reliance on snow!

The trail is part of Stockeld Park's ‘Christmas Adventure’ attraction, where you can experience a variety of winter sports normally associated with traditional ski resorts. As well as the skiing, visitors can skate on a large outdoor rink, get lost in a 'Snowflake Maze' and enjoy refreshments (Gluhwein?) in the Ice Bar Café.

A Nordic Ski session costs between £4 and £9.50, including compulsory equipment hire, and the track is open until 27th January. Stockeld Park is near J46 of the A1(M).

Stockeld Park cross-country ski trail web site.

http://www.thechristmasadventure.com/images2/18-2.jpg