FAQs
During the season, from September to April, the ski slopes are open for lessons and practice, Monday to Friday from 19.30 - 22.30, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30 - 17.30. We are also open for practice only on Wednesday mornings, 10.30 to 13.00. For snowboarding only the slopes are open on Sunday evenings from 18.00 - 20.30. The ski slopes are open on other occasions mid-week for schools groups.
The Ski Club Office is open Mon - Fri from 09.30 - 18.00 and also during the above slope opening hours.
No, the Ski Club's main season runs from September to April. In the summer months May to August we are closed except - practice for season members and race training on Sunday morning until end of May.
School and group bookings can be facilitated by request during summer.
Skis, snowboards, boots and poles are provided for classes and practice sessions at no extra cost, but you are welcome to bring along your own equipment if you wish.
Classes must be booked in advance online or by calling the Ski Club office on 01 295 5658. Payment can be made with a credit or debit card.
Participants should bring a pair of strong gloves and should wear warm, flexible waterproof clothing, long pants and long sleevs, socks to your knees. Classes generally go ahead regardless of the weather and there is a misting system on the slopes that sprays out a gentle mist onto the surface of the slope. Do not bring handbags or other valuables (small lockers are provided). Those participating in freestyle sessions should bring a helmet.
Practice sessions are available throughout the season Sept to April for recrational skiing or snowboarding during slope opening hours. See answers to Q 1, 2 and 9 above.
Ski classes for adults take place on:
Monday to Friday evenings at 20.00
Saturday & Sunday at 11.00 & 15.00
Ski classes for children aged 8 years take place on:
Saturday & Sunday at 11.00 & 15.00
Ski classes for children aged 5 to 7 years take place on:
Sunday at 1pm - Kindergarten
Snowboarding classes take place on:
Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 20.00
Sunday evening at 18.30.
It is important to arrive half an hour before the class start time in order to get fitted for the equipment. All classes must be booked in advance. Please call us on 01 295 5658
We offer a wide variety of classes to suit different levels of ability and age groups. The “What level are you? “ section on our Ski and Snowboard pages will provide you with more information on different class levels and on how to select what’s best for you.
No. It is not necessary to become a member of the Ski Club to use the slopes and everybody is welcome. The vast majority of skiers and snowboarders are not members of the Club. Membership of the Club is open to all and provides certain benefits. See the page on Membership. If you are interested in becoming a member please contact us on 01 295 5658.
Competent skiers and snowboarders may practice on the slopes at most times that the slopes are open. To be permitted to practise on the slopes a skier/snow boarder must have taken at least four classes at the Ski Club or taken one week's skiing/boarding holiday on snow with lessons. You must be able to use a Poma ski lift. Occasionally there will be slope restrictions due to racing, freestyle or other events so it is advisable to check at the Club office before you travel.
Snowboard practice is permitted at the same times as ski practice. See answers to Q 1, 2 and 9 above.
For children between the ages of 5 and 7 Kindergarten classes are run on Sundays at 1pm. Children’s classes for those aged between 8 and 13 are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Those aged 13 and older may take part in adult classes. The minimum age for snowboarding is 13 years.
For Practice sessions children must be at least 8 years, be able to stop and do controlled snowplough turns. Also the must know how to use a button lift.
Classes can be rescheduled through the Ski Club office if a minimum of 48 hours’ notice is received but there is a €10 fee associated with each change. If 24 hours’ notice is not provided you will lose your class.
The Ski Club has 3 different slopes. The main slope is 180m long and the intermediate slope is 150m long. Both of these are covered with Dendix, a special bristle surface designed for ski slopes. They are lubricated with a gentle misting spray. Our two introductory slopes are covered with a soft springier Snowflex (the nearest thing to snow) and feature Travelator lifts and a low level misting system.
Rain and cold weather do not stop the classes or practice on the slopes. And when it snows, everybody skies or snowboards even better!
Please come equipped with warm and waterproof clothing. Remember gloves are essential.
The surfaces on the artificial slopes, combined with the sprinkler systems, behave very similarly to snow and the techniques to ski on these surfaces are identical to what is needed on snow. These materials are widely used in artificial slopes in other countries.
Normal fitness is what is needed but it helps if one does some leg and core body stretching and strengthening exercises before setting off on a week’s ski holiday. As in all sports, the fitter the better.