TAKE LESSONS The Ski Club of Ireland teaches beginners at its artificial slope in Kilternan, in south Co Dublin. The low-season rate, which lasts until November 6th, is €110 for four adult classes. During high season this rises to €130. See www.skiclub.ie or call 01-2955658
GET IN THE MOOD To get you in a snowy frame of mind, the annual ice-skating extravaganza takes place at the RDS, in Dublin, from November 18th to January 15th. The Lambert puppet theatre will put on its Christmas puppet show, but the main feature is, of course, the ice rink. See www.7upchristmasonice.ie or call 01-6620140.
FANCY A TRIP WITH 'ROY KEANE'? Ian Dempsey's breakfast show on Today FM travels to Saalbach, in Austria, for its annual week of ski-slope broadcasts, starting on January 30th. About 400 fans of the show are expected to come along and "ski" with Roy Keane, Bertie Ahern, Daniel O'Donnell and Michael D Higgins (well, at least the voices behind the Gift Grub comedy sketches). Flights will leave from Knock, Dublin, Belfast and Cork for Salzburg and Innsbruck. Costs start at €1,159 per person sharing. Contact Topflight for further information: 01-2401700.
FUN IN A GOOD CAUSE The National Council for the Blind of Ireland's annual ski challenge takes place from March 4th to 11th at St Johann, in Austria. The fundraising target is €2,350 per person, which covers flights, accommodation, a gala dinner on the final night, and instruction at Kilternan. Call the council at 01-8307033.
HAVE CHILDREN, WILL TRAVEL Crystal Holidays has nannies available at its resorts in Austria, France, Italy and Norway. The service costs €75 in low season and €135 in high season, for six mornings or six afternoons. Six lunchtimes costs €30 per child. www.crystalholidays.ie.