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From Llandudno to the Alps: Perfecting Your Ski Skills in North Wales
When you think of skiing, the mind often drifts to snow-covered peaks in the French Alps—places like Val d’Isère and Tignes, where endless powder runs and majestic mountain views await. However, for skiers based in the UK, the journey to the Alps doesn’t have to begin on those famous slopes. In fact, it can start much closer to home in North Wales, at facilities like the Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre.

If you’re looking to polish your skills before heading to skiing catered chalet val d isere, North Wales provides the perfect training ground. Let’s explore how this local gem can prepare you for the grandeur of Alpine skiing.

1. Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre: A Training Ground for All Levels

Nestled on the picturesque Great Orme, the Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre offers one of the UK’s best dry ski slopes. Whether you’re a beginner testing your balance for the first time or an experienced skier looking to refine your carving technique, the centre provides an ideal environment to train.

The dry slope is designed to simulate real snow, helping skiers and snowboarders practice turning, stopping, and controlling their speed. If you’re preparing for Alpine resorts like Val d’Isère or Tignes, mastering these fundamentals on a dry slope can make a significant difference to your confidence and ability.

2. Build Core Skills Locally for the Challenges of the Alps

Skiing in the Alps offers a range of terrains, from gentle blue runs to demanding black pistes and off-piste powder fields. Preparing in North Wales allows you to focus on building key skills that will help you handle the challenges of Alpine skiing, including:
- Carving and Turning: Learn to execute precise turns on the dry slope to navigate the wide-open pistes of Val d’Isère with ease.
- Balance and Coordination: Perfecting your stance and balance locally will make transitions to Alpine snow feel more natural.
- Edge Control: Dry slopes provide the perfect platform for mastering edge control, which is essential for handling icy patches on steeper Alpine descents.
3. Transitioning from Local Slopes to Alpine Grandeur

The Alps are home to some of the world’s most famous skiing destinations, and Val d’Isère stands out as one of the finest. With over 300km of interconnected pistes as part of the Espace Killy ski area, it offers terrain for every level. Starting your journey in Llandudno ensures you’re well-prepared to enjoy its breathtaking runs.

For intermediate and advanced skiers, Tignes, Val d’Isère’s neighboring resort, is equally thrilling, with a glacier that offers year-round skiing. The transition from dry slopes to real snow may seem daunting, but training in North Wales helps bridge the gap.

4. Affordable Preparation for a Luxury Skiing Experience

Practicing locally in Llandudno is a cost-effective way to ensure you’re ready for the slopes before investing in a trip to the Alps. A day on a dry slope is far more affordable than an Alpine lift pass, allowing you to hone your skills without breaking the bank.

When you do arrive in the Alps, your preparation will pay off, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the luxury and adventure. Imagine skiing down Val d’Isère’s famous Face de Bellevarde or relaxing in a catered chalet after an exhilarating day on the slopes, confident that your skills are up to par.

5. The Llandudno Advantage: Year-Round Training

One of the key benefits of Llandudno’s dry slope is that it’s open year-round, providing consistent opportunities to train regardless of the season. This is particularly useful for skiers planning trips to the Alps during the peak winter season, as it gives you time to build fitness, stamina, and confidence.

Year-round practice also ensures you’re prepared for specific challenges in Alpine resorts like Tignes, where the glacier offers high-altitude skiing with unique conditions, including crisp, compact snow and thinner air.

6. Beyond the Slopes: Après-Ski and Relaxation

While Llandudno’s dry slopes are the main attraction for ski training, the area also offers a charming seaside town atmosphere perfect for unwinding. This makes it an excellent warm-up destination that provides a taste of après-ski relaxation.

When you transition to the Alps, you can enjoy the world-class après-ski scene in resorts like Val d’Isère, known for its lively bars, gourmet dining, and luxurious catered chalets. The combination of thrilling skiing and indulgent relaxation creates an unforgettable experience.

7. Practical Tips for Moving from Llandudno to the Alps

To maximize the benefits of training in Llandudno before heading to the Alps, follow these tips:
- Book Lessons Locally: Take advantage of expert instructors at the Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre to refine your technique.
- Work on Stamina: Build your endurance on the dry slope so you’re ready for full days on Alpine pistes.
- Start Slow in the Alps: Begin your Alpine adventure on green and blue runs to adjust to real snow conditions before progressing to more challenging terrains.
- Choose a Catered Chalet: Staying in a catered chalet in Val d’Isère or Tignes ensures you have the energy and comfort to fully enjoy the slopes. Expect hearty breakfasts, gourmet dinners, and a cozy space to relax after a day of skiing.
8. From Local Practice to Alpine Excellence

Starting your skiing journey in North Wales and transitioning to the French Alps isn’t just practical—it’s the perfect progression for building skills and confidence. By the time you arrive in Val d’Isère, you’ll be prepared to navigate its stunning slopes, whether you’re exploring easy runs, taking on challenging blacks, or carving through deep powder.

And the best part? After a day on the mountain, you’ll have the chance to retreat to a luxurious catered chalet, where a hot tub, roaring fire, and gourmet meal await you.

Conclusion

Llandudno Ski and Snowboard Centre is more than just a local facility—it’s a gateway to global skiing adventures. With its dry slopes, affordable training opportunities, and year-round access, it offers the perfect foundation for anyone planning a trip to the French Alps.

So, why wait? Start your journey in North Wales, and before you know it, you’ll be carving down the wide-open pistes of Val d’Isère or gliding across the glacier in Tignes. From Llandudno to the Alps, your skiing adventure begins here.
January 17, 2025
Reasons to Ride Your Bike Every Day

For most people, riding for hours every day might seem like a hugely unattainable dream; clocking up serious miles every day does take commitment, but going on a daily bike itself is not only very feasible, but it can also have a positive affect on your life.

If you’re not quite ready to jump in at the deep end, why not try completing a short-term riding streak first, it’s much easier to start a habit by chipping away at smaller goals first. That way, you can prove to yourself what is actually possible to achieve. Here are some amazing reasons to ride your bike every day, no matter how much energy you have.

Commuting

If you want to incorporate a bike ride into your day, an easy way to do it is making it part of your daily commute. Unlike a gym workout, cycling Conwy can be easily integrated into your day. Those minutes spent on the bike commuting quickly add up; with many people able to hit their weekly target with their commutes and perhaps a longer ride on the weekend.

Cycling to work offers many health benefits, and it doesn’t require you to go out of your way to exercise; but the perks go way beyond simply avoiding traffic and living a more healthy lifestyle. Commuting by car has been directly linked to weight gain and obesity, even in drivers who do make time for exercise.

Sharper Mind

Once you’ve created the habit of commuting to work by bike, you’ll be more likely to choose to ride your bike for those little weekend errands too. Daily exercise has been found to actually increase energy and reduce fatigue – even a single 30-minute bout of exercise can help to improve memory, reaction time and creative thinking.

Cycling has been found to reduce stress, anxiety and depression – it has an overall positive effect on mental health. Along with physical benefits like reducing pressure put on the joints by participating in other activities like running.

Less Overeating

Regular cycling can help to reduce that shouty little voice telling you to put down that slice of delicious cake; it can also help to maintain your weight. An easy spin every week isn’t a flashing green light to go and grab a couple of pastries; but a daily bike ride can help you to loosen up a restricted diet.

One of the main reasons that daily exercise can be so useful is that it allows your muscles to act as a kind of buffer to the food we consume. When we use our muscles, they break down carbohydrates and fat stores. So even a short blast on the bike to the office can help to put your body in a much better place for the whole day.

Improved Sleep

With all the modern day worries and stresses we deal with, along with excess screen time, being able to “turn off” and go to sleep is tougher than ever before. There is a strong correlation between an increase in physical activity and finding it easier to fall asleep. This might sound completely obvious to anyone who’s cycled before and experienced the beautiful post-ride exhaustion and soreness, with some endorphins sprinkled in for good measure.

November 11, 2020
Golf Packages in Llandudno

If you’re setting off for a getaway to one of the most beloved towns in Wales but don’t want to leave your golf bag at home, you are in luck as there are many opportunities for golf packages in Llandudno and nearby areas!

Any avid golfers will say that there are fewer more cathartic activities than a round of golf on a slow, relaxing day off from a hectic lifestyle. This is exactly what you can enjoy in the north of Wales as there is such an air of tranquillity to the area that you may find yourself teeing off ever so slowly just to savour it.

There are two prime examples of golf clubs in Llandudno and each offer their own set of challenges and enjoyment for players. Llandudno Maesdu Golf Club is a picturesque location on an 18 hole course and is beloved for its stunning views of the North Wales coastline. Maesdu offer special rates to members but one-off plays are also welcome – perfect if you’re on your holidays.

Another course situated in Llandudno is the North Wales Golf Club: a challenging but wholly rewarding playing field on the West Shore. After once being the venue for the Welsh Team Championships, you can be assured of its quality and its charmingly inconsistent ground is one which can offer a difficult but rewarding experience for you. Complete flatland is followed by steep inclines and bunkers, making it a course which will need you to be at the top of your game.

Although not located in Llandudno, it could be said that Conwy Golf Club is a more relaxing day of golf than its cousins as it’s in a slightly more distant location with fewer distractions. This superb venue has seen plenty of prestigious competitions hosted on its grass over the past half-decade and has also had one or two famous golfers tee up such as Ian Woosnam.

There are also links in the nearby Penmaenmawr and Betws-Y-Coed but if you’re after a superb course in close proximity to your Llandudno accommodation, these three are always popular and for good reason.

May 25, 2020
A Visit to Othello’s, Llandudno Restaurant

Restaurants in Llandudno are easy to find, but finding one which offers a delicious menu, seaside views and an elegant dining room can be a slightly more difficult task.

Thankfully, we’ve scoured and tasted dishes from all around the seaside town, to help make your decision a little bit easier. One restaurant which stood out in particular was Othello’s, which is situated within the Cae Mor hotel.

The Cae Mor can be found on the promenade of Llandudno, and both the hotel and restaurant offers beautiful and unbeatable views of the sweeping coast. It wasn’t just the views which impressed us, the restaurant itself was a delight to sit in, featuring a perfect combination of Victorian and contemporary furnishings.

We believe that an excellent restaurant experience does not simply rely on the food itself, but the overall atmosphere of the night. The Cae Mor certainly offered us the full package – great food, great views from the restaurant and a great atmosphere.

The restaurant is also in the perfect location for those who are visiting Venue Cymru. In fact, it was right next to the venue, making it very easy for theatregoers to nip in for a delicious bite to eat before, or after they’d enjoyed their performances.

When it came to the menu, we were incredibly impressed with the amount of choices available. We were presented with a range of imaginative and rather mouth-watering dishes from their A La Carte Menu.To give you a little preview of the starters, you’ll be able to choose from delectable dishes such as deep fried breaded brie, king prawns wrapped in salmon and chicken tikka skewers, but you can expect to find a lot more than this upon your visit.

The delicious starters got us excited to taste our main courses, which were just as enticing. Ribeye steak with a generous helping of homemade chunky chips and a duck leg confit on a bed of crispy rice noodles were soon presented to us, and they certainly did not disappoint our taste buds once (and very quickly) devoured.

It was a struggle to fit any desserts in, but with such a tempting array we couldn’t resist. I opted for the zesty lemon baked cheesecake served with a lemon meringue ice cream, which certainly made me glad I’d kept a little room aside for a treat.

All in all, the Cae Mor’s Othello’s is a fantastic restaurant to visit, especially if you’re attending a show at Venue Cymru on the same evening.

February 24, 2017
The Illegal Eagles – Venue Cymru

Fans of good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll music will be thrilled to know that the number one established Eagles Tribute band is coming to our very own Llandudno.

The World’s Number 1 Eagles Tribute, ‘The Illegal Eagles’, a well-established rock and roll band are making a return for another awesome show. The band’s delivery has been called ‘Flawless’.

Youll be pleased to know that all of the great hits will be performed, including ‘Take it Easy’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’, ‘Witchy Woman’, ‘Desperado’, ‘Life in the Fast Lane, ‘Take it to the Limit’, and of course the famous ‘Hotel California’
They will be playing the 14th of September 2016.
You may have heard about the recent, tragic passing of Eagles Guitarist Glenn Frey, one of the original founding members of the band. In honour of his memory, a touching special tribute will be included in the set. Get ready for emotion.
Catch them on the Llandudno leg of their new UK wide tour, we are fortunate enough to have the music of the Eagles delivered to our gorgeous seafront for all to hear.

Tickets are £25, and you can purchase them from here.
The first half of 2016 meant an awesome period of explosion for The Illegal Eagle, with shows breaking box office records, with the continued musical expertise and finesse applied by the extremely skilled band members. With the addition of new members, the sound has been brought even closer to that unmistakable Eagles sound.

Official Poster

The wonderful thing about this location is its proximity to all of Llandudno’s seafront Hotels famous white walled Victorian as they are, which over the years has garnered attention of many different visitors to this ‘Queen of Welsh Resorts’. The Cae Mor Hotel for example is right next-door, and so is the perfect spot to crash after a night of rock n roll.

September 8, 2016
Su Casa Festival – On Conwy Quay.

See Conwy Quay transforming into a tropical paradise with Su Casa Festival.

A bit gutted because you can’t get away for a week partying on a sunny Mediterranean island? Are you super jealous of all your mates’ Thailand pics, craving that sweet Caribbean sunshine?

Well, all these places will pale in comparison to a tropical dance party right here in the splendour of Wales.

That’s right; the famous quay is the ideal setting for a Dance Music Festival which will be showcasing the best DJ talent not only from within the area, but nationally celebrated talents to cater for a multitude of music tastes. There’s set to be some sizzling food stalls, spritely bars cooking up some killer cocktails.
Fans of dance music will know that something like this is a little rare for the area.

While the main festivities end at 22:00, don’t fear, those who wish to dance the night away and continue the party need only head over the Llandudno for the after party at club 147. The after party will be a history of Ibiza so expect plenty of tunes from all across the timeline of this famous party island.

Su casa has the goal of bringing those tropical summer vibes all the way across the globe to be concentrated on the shores of this ancient castle town.

The very best in DJ equipment, lighting, staging and talent is being utilised here so expect awesome displays, sweet vibes, and some dancing to the hottest summer tracks. And it’s as if that wasn’t enough, this weekend is reported to be a fully-fledged heatwave.

Taking place on the 13th of August
Coming from out for the area? No worries, there are loads of hotels in Llandudno where you can crash after your night at the after party comes to a close!

EDIT: This event is now completely SOLD OUT that means that this even is sure to be a raving success!

August 11, 2016
Llandudno Dry Ski Slope

Ski Slope

Ski-ing and snowboarding are some of the most exhilarating and invigorating of extreme sports. It’s too bad that Wales rarely has any snow to glide down? Oh well, you’re free to dream right?
Well you will be surprised that on your trip to North Wales you can do better than that. The Great Orme, as well as being an outstanding natural monument to the glory of the Llandudno area, is home to a brilliantly maintained dry ski slope. Many travel to the area to use the slope, as there are many hotels and self catering holiday cottages in Llandudno. The complex is complete with a restaurant/café, and a ski lift to save you from lugging your way up back to the top.

This is the ideal environment for beginners as they can learn the basics of skiing in the scenic and safe environment of Llandudno before going on a sojourn to more distant slopes. John Nike leisure sport offer full courses in becoming a fully-fledged skier and you can take this elsewhere to continue your snow-career.
The centre offers full equipment rental so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own… unless you want to of course!

Llandudno Ski Slope

After your session, enjoy a drink or meal at the fully licensed Alpine Lodge Bar and Restaurant.

Whether you are a skier or a snowboarder this slope caters for everything you could want in a day at the slopes.

This isn’t the only thing that the complex has to offer either. You will also find the longest toboggan run in Great Britain upon these slopes. This is a tourist favourite as anyone can have a go and enjoy this run with no issues or commitments needed. Just hop on and ride.

Llandudno Ski Slope

Those who are less adrenaline-orientated will be pleased to hear that at the centre they also offer ‘alpine crazy golf’. Battle it out with the rest of your family to find once and for all who the most skilled alpine golfer is.

July 20, 2016
Llandudno Jazz Festival

The famous festival of Jazz which is held annually in Llandudno. Every year jazz extraordinaires from all over the globe come to the gorgeous seaside town in North Wales to strut their stuff and perform some excellent Jazz music.
The main stage is set to be filled with the greatest in local and further afield based jazz acts such as Val Wiseman, Peter King, The Jazz Worriers, Tina May with Alan Barnes, a full tribute act for Jazz at the Philharmonic, and much more. Full schedule available here – http://www.llandudnojazzfestival.com/#!schedule/ctxb

Llandudno’s Victorian seaside enjoyment results in the perfect classy setting for the jazz festival, and the focus of the wonderfully fun Bodafon farm park with its breath-taking ocean views refines the weekend to its unlimited potential. It’s only a short walk from the local Llandudno Hotels and self catering in Llandudno so you can sleep the nights in style if you wish.

Full weekend passes are around £132.

Not the biggest Jazz fan? Don’t really fancy shelling out to watch bands?

Llandudno Jazz Festival

What if I told you that you could still enjoy a relaxing day at the picturesque Bodafon farm park. There’s nothing from stopping you from chilling in the courtyard, shades on, pint in hand, foot tapping away to some easy going Cool Jazz. The farm park’s Upper courtyards and side terraces will be open and bustling with activity, expect Dixieland Jazz, Cool Jazz and if you’re real lucky some Big Band Jazz. If you enjoy festival vibes and good music, this is the place for you.

Food-wise, there will be a circular saw barbeque, wood-fired pizza oven and a range of additional munchies available.

Llandudno Jazz Festival

Regardless of music taste, this is set to be a wonderful day out for the family, groups of mates and couples.

A small matter of the price… well, it’s just like that; it’s a small matter. It’s only £6 for an adult ticket to enjoy a day at the Jazz festival.
29th, 30th, 31st July 2016

July 19, 2016
Top 10 Attractions in Llandudno!

Llandudno itself is a beautiful seaside resort and town. You can spend your entire day simply strolling up and down the beach, browsing through the shops and stopping off for a spot of lunch at the local cafes and restaurants. Llandudno is known for a lot more than just as a seaside resort with stunning views, as there is a vast array of attractions to be able to visit during your stay in the area. Here are our Top 10 recommended places:

Great Orme & Tramway | The Great Orme is a must-see when visiting Llandudno and makes a great day out with family, friends or even alone with your camera to take in the spectacular views. You can catch the tram at the bottom for an affordable price, which will take you up to the top. You can get off at the half-way point and continue the journey by foot, but also have lunch amongst the views of the North Wales coast. Dogs are welcome on the tram, which means you can bring your furry friends along with you for an enjoyable day out.

Great Orme Cable Cars | The tramway is perfect for a relaxing journey up to the top of the great attraction, but for those who want more of an adventure then you can opt for the cable cars. At over one mile each way from the Happy Valley to the Great Orme Summit, this Aerial Cabin Lift is the longest in the UK.

West Shore Beach | Llandudno’s beach has uninterrupted views over the water, which makes the perfect opportunity to bring your camera along. The golden, sandy beaches and stunning views during the day and night make for a great place to sit and relax. Visit the West Shore Beach Café for a range of freshly prepared homemade meals, light bites, cakes and ice cream sundaes.
Bonkerz Fun Centre | Exploring the landmarks and strolling the beach isn’t always a child’s cup of tea, but Bonkerz Fun Centre is sure to keep them entertained. This is one of the premier indoor soft play facilities of its kind in North Wales, and is so much more than your average play centre. There’s a Medieval Castle themed environment, with comfortable seating for the parents who wish to sit back and relax whilst the children go crazy.
Alice in Wonderland Trail | This is one for all the family to enjoy together. The Alice in Wonderland Trail is a self-guided tour around Llandudno, where you can discover the tales behind the real Alice. Explore the town and find the plethora of themed sculptures dotted around, which make the perfect opportunity to take a family photograph. The newest addition to the trail is the app’s available to download for free; White Rabbit and Looking Glass.
Llandudno Ski & Snowboard Centre | For the adventurous and active people, this is the place to be. The centre has the longest toboggan run in Britain and a scenic PermaSnow ski slope. Situated 415ft above sea level, it boasts beautiful views of Llandudno and the Irish Sea. If you’re into your sports or want to try something new, then this should definitely be on your list of places to go when in the area.
Llandudno Pier | The beaches and views of the West Shore beach are great, but the Llandudno Pier stretches 2,295ft across the water. This makes it the longest in Wales and the fifth longest in England and Wales. There’s a great range of things you can do when on the pier, with fun games, shows, food and family entertainment.
Venue Cymru | After a long day of exploring everything the Victorian town of Llandudno has to offer, you can spend your evening at Venue Cymru watching a variety of shows, performances or participating in other activities they usually have arranged. The stage has seen big name such as Jimmy Carr, Katherine Jenkins and performances like Grease!
Family Golf | Pick up your gold clubs, golf ball and score card and take the family down to the adventure gold by the Great Orme. This is a great way to spend a couple of hours in the open with the family, participating in a little competitive activity. The children will love it and you can take in the wonderful scenes around you.
Llandudno Museum | Last of all, we have the museum. It exists to preserve the Chardon bequest, to collect objects that tell the history of Llandudno and surrounding area and to manage and protect the collections found so that they can be kept on show for those who are visiting. For those who enjoy learning about new cultures or finding new discoveries, the museum is a great place to expand your knowledge.

February 20, 2015
Visiting Llandudno in 2014

As the curtain falls on a stellar year for Llandudno in entertainment and culture, it’s time to look forward to 2014 which promises to be an even better one for the seaside town.

An event in its first incarnation in 2013, it will be interesting to see how the LLAWN festival for this year tops the one before. A micro-festival curated by specialists, this event was extremely popular as indie artists from all over displayed their work across the town. There was also plenty in the way of live performances which delighted audiences of all ages and the organisers will certainly look to build on their already palpable success.

One occasion which is not just for a great day out but for a great cause is the Llandudno Air Show which celebrated a fantastic array of new and old planes. Any attendees for 2013 will have revelled in the image of a Spitfire and Hurricane flying together and with a majority of the proceeds going to various charities, you may even see a fleet of planes in the skies this May.

It’s hard to compile a list of all top events in Llandudno without including the mammoth Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza. The undisputed king in family entertainment for North Wales, this occasion which takes place all over town has get involved with. There are fairground rides (some not for the faint-hearted), stalls and all kinds of acts popping up throughout the weekend and 2014’s edition is only bound to be bigger and better.

Although not strictly in Llandudno, the Gwledd Conwy Feast in October is just a 5 minute drive away and is well worth the short journey. Tuck into a cosmopolitan mix of food, drink and fantastic live events as you celebration the cultured side of North Wales in style in this historic town. 2013’s feast saw record attendees despite some driving rain and its popularity is a trend that’s unlikely to buck any time soon.

This is only a small sample of some of the fun you can enjoy in Llandudno over the coming 365 days and for all new events as they’re announced, make sure you check out Visit Llandudno for all the best.

December 23, 2013