Summer Camp Southampton Dry Ski Slope
The annual Bell Brothers Summer Camp was started by Martin and Graham Bell at Harrogate in 1988. In the mid-90s, it was moved to Hillingdon then re-located a few years later to Wycombe Summit. This will be the camp’s first year at its new home in Southampton. Although primarily based around race training, the camp has traditionally catered to a wide range of abilities. For some, it is simply an introduction to racing techniques - such trainees may have skied recreationally on snow for a few years, or may have just started regular race training at their local dry slope.
At the other end of the spectrum, the more experienced trainees may be looking to knock off a few tenths of a second.
Age range: 7-17 (Over-17s may join in as "helpers" - demonstrating technique, etc.)
Timetable: Each day at the slope runs from 10am to 6pm. The final hour consists of ski prep, rollerblading and other non-skiing activities, in case parents need to collect children before 6pm. About half the time is spent skiing - technique drills and slalom courses. The rest is taken up with video playback, and fitness - FUN games for agility and co-ordination, plus some basic fitness tests. For most sessions, the trainees are divided into groups according to ability. During the week, there are some fun races: a team dual slalom, an individual dual slalom, and a timed slalom at the end of the week.
The slope: Southampton Alpine Centre has three dendix covered slopes of 110 m, 90 m and 30 m, serviced by two poma drag lifts. For more info visit: Southampton Alpine Centre.
The residential option: those from further afield may attend as residential trainees. They can be dropped off at 10am on the first Monday morning, and picked up at 6pm on the Friday afternoon. Between those times, they will be lodged locally, transported to and from the ski slope each day, and supervised at all times. They will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. It is always exciting for the trainees to stay away from home for four nights, with a bunch of other children, and good preparation for future on-snow training camps abroad.
The Accommodation: At Lucia Foster Welch halls of residence, Southampton Solent University. (Royal Crescent Road, Southampton SO14 3ZP)
Prices: Non-residential £150 per person per week.
Residential £300 per person per week.
At the other end of the spectrum, the more experienced trainees may be looking to knock off a few tenths of a second.
Age range: 7-17 (Over-17s may join in as "helpers" - demonstrating technique, etc.)
Timetable: Each day at the slope runs from 10am to 6pm. The final hour consists of ski prep, rollerblading and other non-skiing activities, in case parents need to collect children before 6pm. About half the time is spent skiing - technique drills and slalom courses. The rest is taken up with video playback, and fitness - FUN games for agility and co-ordination, plus some basic fitness tests. For most sessions, the trainees are divided into groups according to ability. During the week, there are some fun races: a team dual slalom, an individual dual slalom, and a timed slalom at the end of the week.
The slope: Southampton Alpine Centre has three dendix covered slopes of 110 m, 90 m and 30 m, serviced by two poma drag lifts. For more info visit: Southampton Alpine Centre.
The residential option: those from further afield may attend as residential trainees. They can be dropped off at 10am on the first Monday morning, and picked up at 6pm on the Friday afternoon. Between those times, they will be lodged locally, transported to and from the ski slope each day, and supervised at all times. They will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. It is always exciting for the trainees to stay away from home for four nights, with a bunch of other children, and good preparation for future on-snow training camps abroad.
The Accommodation: At Lucia Foster Welch halls of residence, Southampton Solent University. (Royal Crescent Road, Southampton SO14 3ZP)
Prices: Non-residential £150 per person per week.
Residential £300 per person per week.
