Learn to Board. Love to Board.
Experience the Thrill of Winter Sports
At Chatham Snowsports Centre, we’ve been helping people of all ages and abilities discover the joy of snowboarding since the mid-1980s.
Our Services:
- Expert Instruction: Our highly experienced instructors are dedicated to teaching you the fundamentals of snowboarding.
- Flexible Lessons: From beginner to expert, we offer a wide range of lessons to suit your needs.
- Open Practice: Perfect your skills and enjoy the slopes independently.
Ready to hit the slopes?
What level are you?
Introduction to Snowboarding
Location: Teaching Slope.
Snowboard and safety check – introduction to equipment: Know the parts of the kit and how to put it on and off.
Basic snowboard stance: Proper posture on the board.
Walking and turning on the flat: Be able to move around flat areas with your board.
Ascend the slope and turning on the slope: Be able to walk up a small hill and turn with one foot strapped in.
Straight run: Be able to slide down small slope in a straight line maintaining good posture.
Awareness of snowboard way code: Understand the safety rules of the slope.
Learning to control your speed
Location: Teaching Slope
Side slipping – toe and heel: Be able to slide down the hill at a slow speed whilst balanced on the heel or toe edge of board.
Diagonal side slip – toe and heel: Be able to slide diagonally across slope in both directions on both toe or heel edge.
Learning to control direction and use of lift
Location: Training Slope / Exit One Main Slope
Falling leaf – toe and heel: Be able to turn your board from a side slip to a steep angle and back again.
Garlands – toe and heel: Same as falling leaf except a garland is in one direction multiple times.
Use of lift: Be able to use drag lift comfortably and unaided.
Entering the Fall Line
Location: Exit One & Two
Falling leaf – toe and heel – into fall line: Be able to move the snowboard from a level side slip, both toe or heel, into the fall line (straight down the hill) while maintaining good posture and balance, then return back to controlled side slip using a controlled skid.
Garlands – toe and heel – into fall line: Same as falling leaf, just in the same consecutive direction.
Developing turns
Location: Exit Two +
Basic turn: Be able to get your board from level side slip to straight and back out on opposite edge making a C-shaped turn, e.g. heel edge-straight-toe edge. You will learn to be able to do this starting on either edge.
Linked turns: Be able to link 2 basic turns together to make controlled S-shaped turns, e.g. heel edge-straight-toe edge-straight-heel edge.
Intermediate turns: Be able to do linked turns at higher speed without slowing down as much between turns.
Refining turns
Location: Exit Three +
Advanced turns / Carving: High speed turns down the slope using more edge and less skid to make the turns.
Price List
Group Adult & Juniors Lessons |
|
| Level A — 60 minutes (16+) | £37.00 |
| Level A — 60 minutes (8-15) | £27.00 |
| All Other Levels — 90 minutes (16+) | £57.00 |
| All Other Levels — 90 minutes (8-15) | £37.00 |
| 3 Lesson Deal (16+) — 3x 90 minutes | £130.00 |
| 3 Lesson Deal (8-15) — 3x 90 minutes | £85.00 |
| 4 Lesson Deal (16+) — 1x Begginer Lessons + 3x 90 minutes | £150.00 |
| 4 Lesson Deal (8-15) — 1x Begginer Lessons + 3x 90 minutes | £100.00 |
Tots Group Lessons | |
| 1 X 45 Minute Lesson (4-7 Years) | £20.00 |
| 3 X 45 Minute Lesson Deal (4-7 Years) | £51.00 |
Private Adult & Junior Lessons |
|
| 1 Person | £85.00 |
| 2 People | £135.00 |
| 3 People | £155.00 |
| 4 People | £175.00 |
| Family Lesson (2 Adults, 2 Children) | £150.00 |
Single Sessions |
|
| 1x 90 minutes (16+) | £26.00 |
| 1x 90 minutes (4-15) | £22.00 |
Winter Pass |
|
| 5 x 90 mins (16+) | £90.00 |
| 5 x 90 mins (4-15) | £70.00 |
Open Practice
Open practice is admission to the main slope, where you can practice your skills without tuition; this is available to experienced skiers and snowboarders. Available in 1 ½ hour sessions to suit you!
Therefore, you must be able to:
- Use the Ski lifts.
- Control your speed and direction.
- Perform controlled linked turns.
- Be able to stop when required.
If you’re a little short of this standard, have a look at our lesson timetable. We’ll get you up to scratch in no time.
We are asking where possible for customers to pre book open practice sessions either online or over the phone.
Clothing You will be required to wear for all on slope activities:
- Long sleeved clothing
- Trousers
- Gloves or Mittens
We do recommend knee pads for snowboarders and helmets can be worn at your own discretion.
Last admission tickets are sold 1 ½ hours before closing time.
All open practice admission prices include equipment hire.
Open practice is available throughout the week, but there is sometimes a restriction due to race training or race events. Please check before you travel or book in advance.
Current Restrictions from 24/01/2024
Open practice not available:
Wednesday’s Between 3pm – 9pm
Saturday’s Between 10am – 11am
Last Sunday of the Month 10am-1pm
Adult & Junior Group Lessons
Progress at Your Own Pace with Our Flexible Group Lessons
Join our structured skill level system and learn at your own pace with other skiers of similar ability.
Key Benefits:
- Flexibility: Choose from our timetable and book individual lessons that suit your schedule.
- Personalized Learning: Our small group lessons (max 10 participants) ensure you receive personalized attention.
- Pay as You Go: No commitment! Pay for each lesson or purchase a block of lessons to save money.
- Clear Progression: Work your way through our skill levels and achieve your goals.
- Open Practice Eligibility: Reach level 4 to unlock access to our exciting Open Practice sessions.
Ready to take your skiing to the next level?
Call us on 01634 827 979 to book your lesson or book online.
Private Lessons
Personalized Lessons for Rapid Progress
Our private lessons offer a tailored learning experience to help you reach your snowboarding goals.
Key Benefits:
- Personalized Attention: Dedicated one-on-one instruction from experienced instructors.
- Flexible Scheduling: Book lessons at times that suit your schedule.
- Rapid Progress: Focus on your specific needs and improve quickly.
- Perfect for All Ages: Suitable for children aged 9 up.
Ready to take your snowboarding to the next level?
Call us on 01634 827 979 to book your lesson or book online.
Family Lessons
Family Fun on the Slopes!
Planning a family snowboard trip? Want to improve your skills together? Our family lessons are the perfect way to have fun and learn on the slopes.
What’s included:
- Tailored instruction for your family’s specific needs
- Fun and engaging activities for all ages
- A chance to create lasting memories together
Family Package Options:
- 2 adults + 2 children
- 1 adult + 3 children
- 4 children
Additional Family Members: Add more family members to your package for just £12 per person.
Important Note: To ensure everyone progresses at the same pace, all family members should be at a similar skill level.
Ready to book your family snowsports adventure?
Call us on 01634 827 979 to book your lesson.
Questions & Answers
What should I wear?
To take part in a ski or snowboard lesson you must be wearing long sleeves, long trousers and gloves. Clothing really appropriate for the weather in winter including waterproof jacket if the weather is inclement. If it is hot weather then leggings/tracksuit bottoms and long-sleeved t-shirts are perfectly fine to wear.
Can I bring my own equipment?
You can indeed. However due to the nature of dry slope skiing and snowboarding wear and tear is increased so we recommend that you save your kit for the mountains and use ours on the mats.
Can I bring my own equipment?
Our policy is to utilize our own snowsports school exclusively. This ensures consistent standards and safety protocols for all our customers and team members.
Do I need to wear a helmet?
Helmets are mandatory for those aged 16 and under at the slope. We provide these for those aged 16 and under free of charge. If you are taking part in freestyle sessions or races or race training then a helmet is a must.
What is the minimum age for skiing/snowboarding?
We can take children as young as 4 years and up for skiing and children from 9 years and up for snowboarding.
How early should I arrive for my lesson?
We ask that you arrive 20 minutes before the lesson start time to allow sufficient time to check in at reception and be issued with your equipment. Late arrivals may not be permitted to join the session.
How old do you have to be to take part?
We can take children as young as 4 years and up for skiing and children from 9 years and up for snowboarding.
What surface do you have?
We use Skitech Systems Diamond Matting on both our 200m main slope and teaching slope.
What are the major differences between a snow and a dry slope?
Despite what level of skier or boarder you may be on snow, on a dry slope you will start at a level lower. On snow you can get away with minor flaws in your technique, whereas on a dry slope you cannot. A snow surface is a lot faster and easier. The snow building up under your skis or board, along with the reduced friction can help you make the turn or the stop, whereas on dry slopes you have to turn the ski and edge the board using technique, which may take some time to get used to if you have only ever skied on snow.