IF YOU’VE never considered practising on an artificial slope, a trip to the Ski Club of Ireland’s facilities in Kilternan, south Co Dublin might change your mind.
This weekend Kilternan hosts Oktoberfest: two days of intensive courses, with instructors from St Johann and Bad Gastein in Austria joining their Irish counterparts.
Following a makeover during the summer, thanks to a grant from Sports Council of Ireland, there are now four slopes available, including a 180m main slope and a 150m intermediate slope. Some €1.5m has been invested, including new nursery slopes which feature Snowflex – a full slope covering its manufacturers claim is the closest thing to snow – and travelator lifts which are ideal for kids and novices.
Courses available this weekend are categorised according to your standard or ambition. These include: never skied before; one week on snow; plough to parallel; and ski legs back.
The courses are open to all comers aged seven and over. Each class costs €15 compared to the standard charge of €40 for an individual lesson.
Ski tour operator Topflight and equipment retailer Great Outdoors are sponsoring the event which will feature bratwurst and gluhwein to get you in the mood.
If you can’t make Oktoberfest this weekend, the Ski Club of Ireland is open every weeknight and during the day at weekends.
skiclub.ie