Wales is becoming a better place for snowsports thanks to £100,000 grant funding from Sport Wales to upgrade artificial slopes in both the north and south of the country.
In the north, the Llandudno Snowsport Centre reopened last week with a newly resurfaced main slope. Skiiers and snowboarders are already enjoying putting the modern ski tech bristle matting through its paces ahead of the venue hosting a full programme of events this year.
Snowsport fans in the south can look forward to exciting improvements being made to the Cardiff Ski Centre, which is now in its 50th year of business. By the end of March, the artificial slopes will have a new misting system which will greatly improve conditions, particularly in dry weather.
Both upgrades have been made possible after Snowsport Cymru Wales was awarded Place for Sport funding from Sport Wales. A grant of £75,000 went towards the Llandudno resurfacing, and £25,000 for the Cardiff improvements. The funding formed part of a £5m allocation from Welsh Government at the start of last year to help upgrade sports facilities up and down the country.
Robin Kellen, Chief Executive of Snowsport Cymru Wales, said: "I'm really excited about the new surface at the Llandudno Snowsport Centre. This upgrade helps to secure a much brighter long-term future for snowsports in the North Wales region following the closure of the Plas Y Brenin ski slope in 2018.
"The total £300k cost of the redevelopment by the facility's owners John Nike Leisure was massively assisted by the Place for Sport funding and I would like to thank everyone who has put so much effort into bringing this project to fruition."
Snowsports boosted by artificial slope upgrades
![](https://www.sport.wales/assets/img/blank.png)
Recent Sport Wales and Welsh Government research has revealed that there is a significant latent demand for snowsports in Wales, with 12% of school children (source: School Sport Survey) and 9% of adults (source: National Survey for Wales) saying that they would like to take up snowsports.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to provide funding to modernise these facilities. As 2020 is Wales' Year of the Outdoors, where better to start it than by blowing off the cobwebs on a ski slope? Artificial slopes provide the ideal place for beginners to try snowsports and gain confidence."
Brian Davies, Acting Chief Executive of Sport Wales, said: "The £5m of Place for Sport funding that we were allocated by Welsh Government this time last year has been shared among more than 150 projects that will help improve facilities in around 30 different sports. Given this uptake and the demand that still exists we will continue to work with Welsh Government on ways to improve the sports facility stock across Wales."
To find out more about the Llandudno Ski Centre, please visit www.jnlllandudno.co.uk, or go to www.skicardiff.co.uk for everything you need to know about the Cardiff Ski Centre.
Latest News
Neil Robinson: The coaching environment which helps Wales’ para table tennis players to thrive
Neil Robinson's coaching has had an impact on Rob Davies, Paul Karabardak, Tom Matthews and Josh Stacey.
Solar panels powering more than just electricity at Rhyl RFC
Rhyl RFC were awarded a £20,473 Energy Saving Grant from Sport Wales.
Improved sports facilities to capitalise on Olympic fever
Has the 3v3 basketball in the Olympics got you or your kids itching to get on a court?