Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hit-the-ice">HIT THE ICE</h2>



<p>Well, not literally because that’ll hurt, but if you want to give the salchow a go, or indeed get started with speed skating or ice hockey, these are the places to go…</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham.png" alt="Ozone Hockey Wokingham" class="wp-image-35426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/05/Ozone-Hockey-Wokingham-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ozone-ice-rink-bracknell"><a href="https://ozonerink.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Ozone Ice Rink (opens in a new tab)">Ozone Ice Rink</a>, Bracknell</h2>



<p>Blades of glory in <a aria-label="Bracknell! Ozone Ice Rink (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ozonerink.co.uk/public-sessions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bracknell! Ozone Ice Rink</a> is relatively new and totally state of the art. The old John Nike Leisure Complex has now been replaced with a 17m x 34m ice rink, so plenty of room for you to pirouette and go arse over skate without taking anyone out with you. They offer learn to skate classes in groups, 1-2-1 lessons and camps, from the age of 3 to adult, plus mixed SEN sessions too. Future Torvill and Deans can practice their jumps and spins during Patch Ice sessions and there&#8217;s public skates too for anyone happy to whizz around the ice (or cling to the side for an hour). Ice hockey more your thang? This is the HQ of the <a aria-label="Bracknell Bees (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ozonehockey.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bracknell Bees</a> ice hockey team, and they offer elite coaching on and off the ice. There are learn to play sessions for all ages, hockey camps, stick and puck practice, female development, and we&#8217;re loving the use of VR in the off ice studio. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slough-ice-arena-slough"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Slough Ice Arena (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/slough-ice-arena/" target="_blank">Slough Ice Arena</a>, Slough</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING.jpg" alt="Closeup of unrecognizable girl holding figure skates over shoulder leaving ice rink after sports training, copy space" class="wp-image-41365" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/02/ICE-SKATING-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>An ice rink that&#8217;s used for ITV’s&nbsp;<em>Dancing on Ice</em>&nbsp;and it&#8217;s right on our doorstep! Plus it’s got ice skating for every age group and ability and, as it is the home of ice hockey team the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Slough Jets (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/jetshockey" target="_blank">Slough Jets</a>, the Hockey Club offer learn to play sessions for kids too. What makes it such a stellar facility (apart from the celeb creds) is the 1,000-plus seating capacity, meaning it can host large-scale events. The coaches will help wannabe skaters learn the basics before tackling that triple toe loop in their ice dance routine. If all you want to do is twirl on the ice, slip and slide to the fun side at a skate disco or try your hand at ice karting. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alexandra-palace-london"><a href="https://www.alexandrapalace.com/the-ice-rink/book-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alexandra Palace</a>, London</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-3.png" alt="ice skating Alexandra Palace" class="wp-image-50368" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-3.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-3-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-3-400x266.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-3-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-3-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you fancy combining a trip to town with a whizz around the ice, the Ally Pally rink is open year-round. There’s adult lessons in the week, fast-track kids courses in the holidays and even ‘ice tots’ for 2.5 years olds and up (ice tantrum anyone?). There’s also drop-in sessions with Haringey’s ice hockey coach for a taster and a skate and coffee if it’s the social side you’re after. Or take that up a notch with an ice disco – keep an eye on its social for the next event.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slope-style">SLOPE STYLE</h2>



<p>RIP Bracknell&#8217;s ancient dry ski slope, because gone are the days of muddy slopes covered in finger-dislocating webbing. There are two indoor ski centres within reach and it’s real snow all the way.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snozone-milton-keynes"><a href="http://snozoneuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snozone</a>, Milton Keynes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-1.png" alt="Boy snowboarding Milton Keynes Snow Zone" class="wp-image-50366" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-1-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-1-400x266.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-1-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-1-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If the Alps have proved out of reach in the last couple of seasons, snow bunnies have been able to get their hit at Snozone, Europe’s largest indoor ski centre. Whether it’s the alpine or freestyle skiing or snowboarding that you’ve got your eye on, it’s all available here with a 170m sloped plus jumps, kickers, rails and all sorts. Reckon you could be a candidate for the luge or bobsleigh? Book in for one of the family sledging sessions to test your nerve.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snow-centre-hemel-hempstead"><a href="http://thesnowcentre.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snow Centre</a>, Hemel Hempstead</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-2.png" alt="Slope Syle lessons at Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre" class="wp-image-50367" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-2.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-2-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-2-400x266.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-2-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-2-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What’s 10cm between friends? The Snow Centre’s 160m sloped is also open for groups and individual lessons for all abilities and has freestyle kit for the adrenalin junkies. There are specific skills camps dedicated to disciplines like slalom and moguls. Meanwhile, the Ringo Slide (basically whizzing down on an inflatable doughnut) will wheedle out the next gen of bobsleigh champs.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-afield">Further afield…</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-4.png" alt="curling UK" class="wp-image-50369" width="640" height="426" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-4.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-4-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-4-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-4-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/image-4-787x525.png 787w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure>



<p>Despite having our medal hopes dashed on the curling front, Great Britain is up there with the best. While it’s biggest in Scotland, England has curling centres, though they are a bit of a schlep from Bucks/Oxon, at&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.secc.rocks/" target="_blank">Fenton’s</a>&nbsp;near Tunbridge Wells,&nbsp;<a href="https://theflowerbowl.uk/curling/">The Flower Bowl</a>&nbsp;near Preston and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambridgecurling.co.uk/">Cambridge Ice Centre</a>. All have taster sessions and lessons.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sledge fanatic? Go next level with a&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.thebbsa.co.uk/" target="_blank">British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association</a>&nbsp;summer taster session at the University of Bath. Meanwhile, if you reckon biathlon is your sport (rifle shooting and skiing) check out the&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://wessexbiathlon.org/" target="_blank">Wessex Biathlon and Nordic Ski Club</a>&nbsp;summer courses in Wilts, Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Hants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>London Region Nordic Ski Club (<a href="http://www.londonnordic.org.uk/">londonnordic.org.uk</a>) offers roller ski classes from £10, which is the first step to being a speed skater (that and tearing round your local rink…)</p>



<p><strong><em>And now for some gentler winter activities…</em></strong></p>



<p><a aria-label="Snowdrop walks in Berkshire (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/snowdrops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowdrop walks in Berkshire</a><br><a aria-label="12 stunning local walks (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/walks-with-takeaway-coffee-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stunning local walks with coffe pitstops</a></p>


Where to hit the (real!) snow and ice locally

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