3 Oct 2013

Take a journey back in time with video of first artificial ski slope opening

Take a journey back in time with video of first artificial ski slope opening news article image

On 5 October it is the 50th anniversary of the first ever permanent dry ski slope in the UK, based at Barton Hall Torquay.

The slope, operated by the Torquay Alpine Ski Club (TASC), was launched in 1963 was the brainchild of Mr Freddie Briscoe the South West representative of the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR) – which is of course now known as the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

The opening of the slope in 1963 was a major event and was captured by British Pathé.

The slope is the oldest surviving dry ski slope in the world still in operation and paved the way for nearly 100 more to be built in the UK – sites where many of the UK’s international skiers have first been gripped by the sport.

Tim Fawke, CEO of Snowsport England said:

“The opening of the first permanent dry ski slope in 1963 is a major milestone in British Skiing and marks the first time that skiing became widely accessible.

“Since then hundreds of thousands of people have learnt ski on these types of slope and it all started with Torquay slope and the club that operates it.

“The heart of our sport in the UK is based around clubs and it's great to know that this club is still going strong after 50 years."

Find out more about the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

Read more news stories.
 

Latest News

4 Jun 2025

We're taking the Sport and Recreation Alliance on tour this summer!

We’re taking the Sport and Recreation Alliance on tour - and we want you to be part of it.

Read more Arrow Right
2 Jun 2025

National Sector Partners Group urges PM to prioritise sport, recreation and physical activity in Spending Review or risk extra costs to Treasury and NHS

The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) has written to the Prime Minister ahead of next week’s Spending Review to urge the Government to back the sector through a sustained plan for investment and a clear strategy for increasing participation in sport and physical activity.

Read more Arrow Right
22 May 2025

Alliance Hosts APPG Roundtable: The Economic Value of Sport and Physical Activity

Yesterday, the Sport and Recreation Alliance hosted a session of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sport and Physical Activity, which took the format of a roundtable discussion on the economic value of sport and physical activity.

Read more Arrow Right

Become a member

Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!

Register now

Our Partners

Admincontrol logoAir IT logoGateley Legal logoSport:80 logoZellar logo93FT logo