Ben Kilner’s top tips for the ski season

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 03/11/16 – Commercial – Ben Kilner Snowboarding – Chill Factore – Manchester, England – Ben Kilner in action.

The North’s premier visitor attraction, Chill Factore, caught up with two-time Winter Olympian, Ben Kilner, to get the low down on his top tips for the ski and snowboarding season, ensuring you stay safe and make the most of your time on the slopes.

1. Get your snow legs ready! Before leaving the country, get some practise in! There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and spending the first few days refreshing your memory on how to ski/snowboard. Head to your local dry ski or real snow slope, such as Chill Factore, to get your snow legs ready so you can spend quality holiday time with your friends and family.

2. Be prepared with protective clothing. Avoid getting cold by ensuring you layer up and pack extra pairs of gloves and socks in case anything gets wet. You can never pack too many essentials! Also, protect yourself with a helmet and goggles.

3. Get into shape! In addition to getting your ski and snowboarding practise in, why not hit the gym a few times and work on your fitness. You’ll be using different muscle groups to your average day and you don’t wont to pull a muscle on your first run!

4. Sunscreen. Not to sound like your mum but if you’re anything like me, you will burn. Clouds can be deceiving so be sure to apply plenty before heading out on the slopes and pack some to take with you.

5. Off-piste prep. Feeling a little adventurous and want to go off-piste? Always pack the essential safety gear for yourself and ensure everyone else you’re with has their own Probe, Avalanche Transceiver and Shovel, just in case.

Chill Factore, home to the UK’s longest real snow slope at 180m, has devised the ultimate Guaranteed to Ski/Snowboard programme, which guarantees to teach beginners to ski or snowboard in just one day, for only £150. For more information see Chill Factore’s website.