As early as Victorian England, Torbay has long been known for its appeal as a Summer holiday destination. In fact, when the Great Western Railway was built, local business focused primarily on winter tourism.
The warm microclimate and fresh sea air appealed to Victorian ideas about health and wellbeing, and many of the visitors to Torbay during the 19th century visited to improve their health.
The fresh sea air of the Bay provided an appealing getaway destination for those living among the city smog, and those who were elderly or struggling with health conditions were drawn to its sheltered coastline. During the early twentieth century, a campaign to emphasise health and wellness, or ‘Salus et Felicitas’ (Health and Happiness) aimed to entice young families down on their Summer Holidays, and the tourist season was changed to centre around the summer months.
It’s a surprise to find a ski slope buried on the outer edges of the town, surrounded by trees so dense you might be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere in the Alps. But given the town’s historical associations with health, fitness and winter tourism, perhaps it is appropriate for it to be home to one of the only three dry slopes in Devon.
Torquay Alpine Ski Club hosts 6 instructors, who take groups of various ages and abilities. There are a range of Winter Sports on offer, from the most established sport of skiing, to younger, growing and dynamic sports, such as snowboarding and Ringos (similar to sledding but using a rubber dinghy), which is especially popular with local schools and team-building workshops for businesses.
And new snow sports are being created every year.
Chris Norton, registered Ski and snowboard instructor at Torquay Alpine Ski Club, is currently expanding his teaching of winter sports into the development of a brand new sport. As the UK partner and distributor for the Norwegian company Sled Dogs he has been promoting the youngest Winter Sport in England – Snowskating.
Snowskating, as the name may suggest, is a cross-breed of ice skating and skiing. Sled Dogs have created an all-in-one snow boot with a small section of ski attached to the base, enabling the wearer to effectively skate on snow, with greater freedom of movement and adaptability than with a traditional ski.
The Sled Dogs boots have been tried and tested in a number of activities and have proved popular with skiiers and snowboarders alike, but also with ice hockey players and inline skaters, among others.
In an interview, Chris gave us an insight into the growing world of snow sports and its future in the UK.