Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/dmncwndrlch-bobsled-4896891_1280.jpg" alt="bobsleigh somerset" class="wp-image-116031" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/dmncwndrlch-bobsled-4896891_1280.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/dmncwndrlch-bobsled-4896891_1280-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/dmncwndrlch-bobsled-4896891_1280-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/dmncwndrlch-bobsled-4896891_1280-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/dmncwndrlch-bobsled-4896891_1280-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Dominic Wunderlich from Pixabay</figcaption></figure>



<p>From Crave’s <em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/film-tv/heated-rivalry-is-this-the-hottest-and-most-uncomfortable-watch-on-tv-right-now/">Heated Rivalry</a></em> to the buzz and bravado building around the XXV Winter Olympic Games (aka Milano Cortina 2026, on from now until Sun 22 Feb), ice sports are officially having <em>a moment</em>. Fancy having a go at some winter sports yourself? Here are some surprisingly close-to-home spots where you can. Cold never looked so cool (or hot!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skiing-amp-snowboarding">Skiing &amp; snowboarding</h2>



<p>If Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale winning mixed team snowboard cross gold at Milano Cortina 2026 has you craving a lesson and you&#8217;re in or near Somerset, your best bet is to slope over to <a href="https://www.mendip.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mendip Activity Centre</a> in Churchill. Book yourselves onto a learn to ski or learn to snowboard course and you&#8217;ll be whizzing confidently down the 165-metre dry ski slope in no time. The courses, suitable for 8 years up, include a try skiing/snowboarding lesson, four two-hour group lessons, all equipment, a ski slope pass plus lots of other benefits. Kids aged 5 to 8 can build confidence and skills on the slope with five group minis skiing lessons. Already know how to do it? Buy a recreational slope pass, book an improver session or join the Mendip Ski Club for adults or kids aged from 5 to 16. <a href="https://mendip.me/book/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Everything&#8217;s bookable on online</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/mendip-skiing-554100053_1236257278542732_1472557390218410025_n.jpg" alt="Mendip activity centre skiing somerset" class="wp-image-116025" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/mendip-skiing-554100053_1236257278542732_1472557390218410025_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/mendip-skiing-554100053_1236257278542732_1472557390218410025_n-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/mendip-skiing-554100053_1236257278542732_1472557390218410025_n-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/mendip-skiing-554100053_1236257278542732_1472557390218410025_n-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/mendip-skiing-554100053_1236257278542732_1472557390218410025_n-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ski lesson at the Mendip Activity Centre</figcaption></figure>



<p>In Dorset, head to the <a href="https://www.snowtrax.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre</a> in Christchurch for everything from beginners&#8217; taster lessons up to advanced coaching, race performance training and freestyle skiing and snowboarding sessions on their 110m artificial slope, fitted with the latest Proslope material and mist system. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/warmwell_snowsports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warmwell Snowsports</a>, at the Parkdean Holiday Park near Dorchester, is another place to try with similar-sized slope, with lessons – including a &#8216;ski in a day&#8217; course – and recreational skiing and snowboarding.</p>



<p>Too chilly outside? Learn to ski or ski better at an indoor infinity ski slope just over the border in Bampton, near Warminster, at the <a href="https://southwiltsski.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Wilts Ski Club</a>. The brainchild of former <em>Dragon’s Den</em> investor Nick Jenkins, this state-of-the-art simulator – imagine a gigantic white treadmill&nbsp;– has a continuously rolling surface, variable speeds and an adjustable incline, which means it’s great for beginners and seasoned skiers alike. You get one-to-one tuition, non-stop action for as long as your legs can hack the pace, and you don’t waste any time hopping on and off lifts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-skating">Ice skating</h2>



<p>Slide over to <a href="https://planet-ice.co.uk/locations/bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Planet Ice</a> at Cribbs Causewayin Bristol, where you can wobble or triple salchow around the rink at one of their daily public skate sessions but the place also has a top notch track record for teaching people to skate, even adopting the ‘Skate Excellence’ program which places a bigger emphasis on fun whilst learning. Holiday time 3 and 5 day ice skating camps sound fun. It&#8217;s the last weekend for the Cool Coast Ice Rink<strong>,</strong> at the Bournemouth International Centre, the largest indoor ice skating rink on the South Coast with hour-long sessions seven days a week</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-hockey">Ice hockey</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2.icehockey-1000x667-1.jpg" alt="Ice hockey bristol" class="wp-image-116026" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2.icehockey-1000x667-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2.icehockey-1000x667-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2.icehockey-1000x667-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/2.icehockey-1000x667-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If Shane and Ilya have nudged you into watching, or even fancy having a crack at, <a href="https://englandicehockey.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice hockey</a>, kids from 6 years up can learn how to play the game on 4, 5 and 6-week courses at  <a href="https://planet-ice.co.uk/locations/bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Planet Ice</a> in Bristol, with 3 and 5-day ice hockey camps during the school hols.  Catch the <a href="https://bristolpitbulls.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol Pit Bulls</a> ice hockey team – who compete in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) National League –&nbsp; in action while you’re there.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skeleton-and-bobsleigh">Skeleton and Bobsleigh</h2>



<p>If Matt Weston’s two golds&nbsp;(one alongside Tabby Stoecker) have you googling “where to try skeleton Somerset/Dorset/Bristol” – not just us, surely –&nbsp;keep an eye on the <a href="https://www.thebbsa.co.uk/give-it-a-go" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Bobsleigh &amp; Skeleton Association</a> who run from the University of Bath. They run taster sessions during the summer, and once they’re all back from Italy will surely be opening up their dates for 2026 and 2027. Or, <a href="https://www.thebbsa.co.uk/join-the-team-live-the-dream" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">use their sign-up form</a> to be considered for the next Olympic cycle! No, we don’t have any idea what skills you really need, but we&#8217;re sure you&#8217;ll great in the Lycra!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-curling">Curling</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1011" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/P_KXC_PRJ_COL_001_N12941_kxweb-1240x836-1-1024x690-1.jpg" alt="curling" class="wp-image-116027" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/P_KXC_PRJ_COL_001_N12941_kxweb-1240x836-1-1024x690-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/P_KXC_PRJ_COL_001_N12941_kxweb-1240x836-1-1024x690-1-800x539.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/P_KXC_PRJ_COL_001_N12941_kxweb-1240x836-1-1024x690-1-1000x674.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/P_KXC_PRJ_COL_001_N12941_kxweb-1240x836-1-1024x690-1-400x270.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/P_KXC_PRJ_COL_001_N12941_kxweb-1240x836-1-1024x690-1-768x518.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Wanna have a go at curling? Sorry this one is not in the South West at all but if you’re heading to <a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/winter-olympics-sports/">London</a>, you’re in luck because the ice sport that involves sliding discs as close as possible to a target has landed at King’s Cross. Take advantage of pop up&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/club-curling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Club Curling</a>&nbsp;(closes Sun 1 March; tickets £12; open 12 – 9pm). at Coal Drops Yard, which has multiple ice bays where players of up to six can compete, plus a Club Curling Lounge inspired by vintage Italian ski culture, serving cocktails, Morty’s hot chocolate, mulled wine and coffee.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/film-tv/heated-rivalry-is-this-the-hottest-and-most-uncomfortable-watch-on-tv-right-now/">‘Heated Rivalry’: Is this the hottest watch on TV right now?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/february-half-term-holiday-guide-somerset-dorset-bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">February half term holiday guide: Somerset, Dorset &amp; Bristol</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/snowdrops-dorset-somerset/">The Great Snowdrop Gardens Trail of Somerset and other snowdrop stunners in Dorset</a></li>
</ul>


Ice ice baby! Where to get some winter sports action near you

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