Claire Griffiths, of the Carmarthen Journal, finds out that dry ski slopes aren’t too bad – and can’t wait to try the real thing.

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, pouring with rain, and I was expected to strap two planks to my feet and try to manoeuvre a ski slope.

It’s just not natural is it?

But I plucked up the courage and with heart racing and hands shaking, forced myself out onto the dry slope at Pembrey.

My husband Wayne kept telling me I’d be fine. (Easy for someone who has been on four skiing holidays.) I was not convinced.

And being told it would be ‘slippier’ in the rain did nothing to ease my growing panic.

However, within minutes of getting out there, I found the hardest bit was over.

The thought of what was ahead was actually far worse than the reality.

And after ten minutes of being there, I was really enjoying myself.

Simon Cooke was my instructor, and with eight years full time experience behind him, I knew I was in safe hands.

His patient instruction paid off and he instantly worked wonders to build up my confidence.

Before I knew it I found myself on the ‘button lift’ being dragged up the slope to the first level.

It was great – no problems, I knew how to stop and how to control my speed, so there was nothing to worry about.

By lesson two I had conquered turning and by number three, I was confident to ski from the top of the 100 metre high slope, traversing from side to side.

Simon told me he has taught people of all abilities and has yet to find anyone who didn’t enjoy it.

An 86-year-old man is a weekly visitor, having only just taken up the sport, and during my visits, I have been amazed by the skill of people of all ages.

During the past two weeks I have attempted a ‘crash course’ in skiing at the Pembrey Country Park centre, in preparation for a trip to the French Alps later this month.

And it has been amazing.

As well as discovering muscles in my legs I never knew existed, I have thoroughly enjoyed my new found hobby, and cannot wait to try it out on real snow.

The brilliance of the dry slope is that if you can ski there, snow is easy. (Or so I’m told).

Simon said: “We have regulars who are children and one man who is 86 and absolutely loves it.

“What most people find is that once they’ve been skiing once, they get the bug and end up going every year.

“The dri slope is actually much harder to ski on than real snow so technically if you can manage this, the real thing is easy.”

Now I can’t wait to find out.

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