Ski slopes look out – here come the girls

But although roads have been written-off and schools shut down, snow sports enthusiasts have been in seventh heaven with the recent cold snap, gleefully taking to nearby hillsides and parks for a spot of ski and snowboard action.

If the recent freezing conditions have got you inspired about what fun it might be to whoosh down slippery white slopes, now's the perfect time to have a go and see what all the fuss is about – although the safe environment of SNO!zone is probably a better starting point than Roundhay Park.

The lesson area at this indoor facility in Castleford is ideal for beginners and novices alike to build their skill, confidence and capability before braving the 170m-long main slope, which is covered in more than 1,500 tonnes of fresh snow and about as close to the genuine article as you can get.

Experienced instructors are on hand should you need advice or tuition, offering plenty of help and encouragement as you go. Don't worry about being the wobbliest, most hapless student they've ever had, because someone, somewhere, will definitely have been worse.

Members of the fairer sex who want to learn to leap,

flip and jump their way to exhilarating adrenaline highs should try the Girls Academy, a riding and freestyling session led by female instructors who use various apparatus to teach their protgs all sorts of daring, nifty, twisty-turny moves.

If you've already reached recreational standard Level 4 – having mastered the art of using the lifts, controlling your speed and direction and performing smooth linked turns, among other things – these acrobatics could be

for you.

And even if you're convinced you were born without those all-important genes of balance and poise, it's unlikely you're so hopelessly uncoordinated and lacking in talent as to be a total lost cause. You might even surprise yourself by discovering you're a natural, gliding around with effortless grace and swan-like elegance in no time.

Whether or not you end up tapping into latent Olympic ability you never knew you had, taking up the challenge of a new activity is hugely satisfying and sure to give you a massive rush.

Snowboarders might like to try an ollie, where you use the tail of your snowboard as a spring to jump off the ground, or a boardslide, when you travel horizontally down a rail instead of facing forwards. You can even butter (turn full circle on the floor), stalefish, or do a 50/50 grind on a rail or box. Equally adventurous moves exist for skiers, too.

According to Girls Academy "graduates", it's easier to show off in a boy-free zone.

"It's brilliant to be able to have a go without worrying about being laughed at by unsympathetic lads if you fall over," says rosy-cheeked cadet Cas Park after another successful and highly impressive manoeuvre.

"With a group of girls there's a far more supportive atmosphere and less mickey-taking, so you can really let yourself go without feeling inhibited or being scared of humiliation," adds Caroline Staniland.

If you're still not sure you're ready to deal with the possibility of becoming a human snowball and/or repeated crumpled heap, remind yourself everyone's in the same boat and even the most experienced athletes take a tumble occasionally.

If that doesn't work, ask yourself if landing on soft snow can really be that bad? It's more scared of you than you are of it. Get your crash helmet on, don your woolly socks, fight the fear, seize the moment and head off on a winter wonderland adventure. Tackling that post-Christmas belly couldn't be more enjoyable.

The SNO!zone Girls Academy runs on the second Friday of every month and costs 30 for adults and 25 for juniors. The next sessions are on Friday, February 12 and Friday, March 12, 7pm to 11pm. Call 0871 222 5671 or book online at www.snozoneuk.com

TOP TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Trousers and jacket are available to hire along with other essential gear like boots and boards or skis, but remember to buy top-notch waterproof gloves before your first lesson, as numb fingers don't help with concentration or motivation. This is particularly important for snowboarding, because you have to take your board on and off a lot.

Wear thick, good quality ski or hiking socks, because the stiff plastic boots can dig in.

Don't put on too many layers of clothing – it's cold on the slopes but you'll work up a sweat in no time, so avoid taking the Michelin mantra to the max.

Make new friends, by all means, but don't expect to look glamorous doing it. Unflattering crash helmets are a requirement at all times and make for a sorry looking apres-ski barnet.

Don't quit after ending up on your bottom/face more times than you can remember. Although your confidence might have taken a knock, giving up is the worst thing to do – like riding a horse, you need to get straight back on again. You'll get there eventually.