The Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2026 are happening in Milan this February and March. If, as well as cheering on your team, you fancy having a go at some of those snowy sports yourself here in London, we know just the place.
London's somewhat lacking in rolling snow-covered peaks and state-of-the-art bobsleigh tracks, so you'll have to travel for some, but here's where you can do winter sports in (and not too far from) the capital.
Where can you go skiing in London?
We used to think skiing was a case of strapping on your skies, heading for the top of a mountain and hoping for the best, obstacles be damned. But no: there's alpine skiing and cross-country skiing and freestyle skiing and... wait, are we sure they're not making all this up?
Alpine skiing is supposed to be experienced in the mountains — a feature London isn't exactly abundant with. If you're sticking in the capital, you'll have to make do with your nearest hill, and pray for a snow flurry. Otherwise head to a local park for a spot of cross-country skiing (but again, you won't get far if there's no snow).
Fortunately, there are various fake ski slopes where you can have a go year-round, regardless of the weather:
Skiing at Dukes Meadow, Chiswick
Skieasy at Dukes Meadow sports club, Chiswick has a continuously rotating ski slope, like a giant treadmill, where you can practice your skills on the spot — no membership required. They provide the equipment, lessons are available, and due to the small size of the slope you'll usually have it to yourself for the period of your booking.
Skiing at The Oakwood, Esher
Formerly known as Sandown Ski, and once claiming to have 'London's only ski slope' (despite being firmly in Esher, Surrey), The Oakwood is a ski school offering group lessons, private coaching and recreational sessions. They can provide boots, skis and helmets to be used across their four dry ski slopes, which vary between 30m and 140m in length. The slopes have two button lifts, catering for all abilities, from complete beginners upwards. It's around a 30-minute walk from Esher station.
Skiing at Snozone, Milton Keynes
If you want the real snow experience, head north out of London to Milton Keynes, where Snozone has an indoor real snow slope. Lessons are available for beginners and those who want to improve, and once you know what you're doing, you can purchase a lift pass and do your own thing. Skis, poles and boots are free to hire, and the centre offers disability snowsports sessions on request.
Skiing at the Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead
The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead also offers a real snow experience (it's home to the UK's longest indoor real snow slope, dontcha know), with equipment hire included in the price of your session. Group or private lessons are available, as well as lift passes for those who already know what they're doing. The mountain range backdrop on the walls of the slope adds a certain je ne sais quoi to proceedings, allowing you to imagine you're in the French Alps, rather than a leisure complex close to the M25.
Skiing at Gosling Ski Centre, Welywn Garden City
Another outdoor dry ski slope can be found at Gosling Ski Centre on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City. Group and private lessons and recreational ski sessions are offered, with boot, ski and helmet rental included in the price.
Skiing at Brentwood Park Ski & Snowboard Centre
A short hop over the border into Essex, Brentwood Park Ski & Snowboard Centre offers a variety of outdoor dry slopes for all abilities, with lessons and courses available for beginners, and recreational practice sessions once you've mastered a certain level of competency. It's approximately 30 mins walk from Brentwood station on the Elizabeth line, so easy to get to from London.
Skiing at Chatham Snowsports Centre
Though better known for having the longest tobogganing run in the UK (more on which below), Chatham Snowsports Centre has been offering ski lessons since the mid-1980s. These days, a 200m dry slope and a teaching slope hosts lessons for all ages and abilities.
Other dry ski slopes in south-east England include Bowles Rocks (near Tunbridge Wells, Kent), and Knockhatch Ski & Snowboard School (Hailsham, Sussex).
Where to try ski jumping in London
The ski jump is perhaps the most iconic event of the Winter games, helped along by both Eddie the Eagle and Channel 4 show The Jump, which ran between 2014 and 2017, and had celebrities risking their limbs by launching into the void. There were many injuries.
There aren't any ski jumping facilities in or near London — in fact, there aren't any in the whole of the UK, though some venues such as Snozone Milton Keynes (above) do have freestyle areas where you can try a few tricks once you're confident in the basics. However, in 1950 a ski jump competition was held on Hampstead Heath. A team of 25 Norwegian skiers brought the snow with them — 45 tons of it, packed in wooden boxes insulated by dry ice.
Of course, there are various landmarks around London that look like they could be used as ski jumps — Vauxhall bus station for one, as well as the roof of the main tower on the Golden Lane estate at Barbican — but PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS.
Where can you go snowboarding in London?
There's something of an overlap between skiing and snowboarding locations, as they require the same infrastructure, so do check the venues mentioned in the skiing section above for your snowboarding options. A couple are of particular note:
- Within London, your only snowboarding option seems to the the ski slope treadmill set-up at Skieasy at Dukes Meadow in Chiswick. As with skiing at the venue, you'll have the slope to yourself (unless you bring a friend), and all lessons are private sessions.
- Otherwise head out to Snozone Milton Keynes or The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead for the real snow experience. Both offer lessons to adults and kids, with equipment hire included.
Where to try Bobsleigh and Skeleton in London
What's the difference between bobsleigh and skeleton, you ask? Bobsleigh involves a team of people pushing the sleigh to get its speed up before they all jump on. Skeleton involves a single competitor lying face down on a flat sled, travelling head first. Both involve high speeds — skeleton can reach up to 80mph, and bobsleigh up to 90mph (though the world record is a hair-raising 125mph).
Of all the Winter Olympic events, bobsleigh is the one we've always fancied having a go at, even before our first ever watch of Cool Runnings. Sadly, bobsleigh (or bobsled) tracks are lacking in this part of the world — in fact, the only one in the country is owned by the British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association, and located in Bath. The good news is that they do run public taster sessions where you can try bobsleigh, skeleton or both — though bear in mind there's no ice involved on this specially designed track. At the moment, future sessions are on hold to allow the Winter Olympics teams to train, but keep an eye on the website for the future.
Once a year, you can also sign up to 'bobsleigh' in a bathtub, as part of the eccentric Surbiton Ski Sunday day festival, though you certainly won't reach 125mph.
Elsewhere, there's the Fforest Coaster at ZipWorld in Wales; not a winter sport, but a bobsleigh-esque amble through the woods at 25mph — ideal for moderate thrillseekers.
Further afield, anywhere that once hosted the Winter Olympics is a good option, as the infrastructure is often left in place long after the athletes have gone. Try these three, across the USA and Canada if you're willing to travel.
Where to do luge in London
Luge is similar to skeleton, except it can involve one or two riders, who sit face up instead of lying face down, and travel feet first at up to 90mph. It can be done on both natural 'naturbahn' and artificial 'kunstbahn' tracks, of which there are neither in London. The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association don't get involved with luge, and we haven't found anywhere in the UK which offers it. Instead, why not try tobogganing at Chatham Snowsports Centre in Kent? It's open year-round, with the longest track in the UK.
Where to do curling in London
Curling has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with various curling lanes popping up in London each winter. Some have already popped back down for this winter, but here's where you can still polish the ice:
- Queens: London's most central permanent ice rink offers adult-only curling sessions on Thursday and Friday evenings, with skate hire included in the price. You'll need to provide your own team though — bookings are for a minimum of four people, so grab three willing mates.
- Club Curling, King's Cross: In situ until March 2026, this seasonal pop-up takes its lead from a vintage Italian ski resort, with curling lanes open to both adults and children, and an apres-curling lounge, serving hot, cold and alcoholic drinks.
- The Curling Club, Vinegar Yard: Open until late February 2026, The Curling Club at Vinegar Yard near London Bridge offers pay-and-play curling sessions alongside a range of bars and street food traders.
Figure and speed skating in London
Three different Winter Olympic sports involve ice skating: figure skating (think Torvill and Dean — or Dancing On Ice); speed skating; and short track speed skating. The fourth, non-Olympic style, and the one we excel at ourselves, is something we like to refer to as trip-and-tumble skating. We've not picked up any medals (yet) but the bruises speak for themselves.
At Christmas, London is replete with temporary ice rinks, one of them even open until late February 2026, though they're more aimed at your once-a-year skaters than anyone looking to get into it seriously. The rest of the year you're left with a few options, including Queens in Bayswater, Streatham and Ally Pally. These centres offer ice skating lessons for various levels from beginners. You may learn a few tricks and moves as you progress up the levels, but none of them are specialist figure skating classes, so don't start humming the Bolero just yet.
As for ice speed skating, there isn't a track for that in London — disappointing when you consider that Great Britain's oldest speed skating club was founded here (though it began as roller, rather than ice, skating). These days, the confusingly named Aldwych Speed Skating Club is based in Guildford, and seems to be the closest club to the capital; here's how you can give it a go. Closer to home, the London Speed Skaters Team indulge in high-speed roller skating.
Where to watch or play ice hockey in London
Ice hockey is probably the most commonly played winter sport in London, so much so that we've put together a guide to the various teams in the capital and where and how to watch them.
Playing is a different matter. Ice hockey is a fast-paced game, where injuries do happen, so it's not for beginners or those with an aversion to blood (their own, or others'). Although players with the four main London teams (Streatham, Haringey Huskies, Lee Valley Lions, and Romford Raiders) aren't professionals, meaning they don't get paid for playing, they all have experience and the teams don't take beginners.
So how can you get into ice hockey? The teams mentioned above sometimes hold open sessions at the beginning or end of the season, where the public can have a go. Keep an eye on the teams' websites and social media for details. Additionally, Lee Valley Lions recommend that anyone who wants to start out in ice hockey get involved with the Eastern Stars, who train at the same venue but at a lower level.
Biathlon
This event, as the name suggests, consists of two parts — cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. For the former, consult the skiing section above. For rifle shooting, options include air rifle shooting with West London Rangers in Harefield.
And as for combining shotguns and skiing? Best left to the Olympic experts.
Nordic combined
Another dual-discipline winter sport, Nordic combined features cross-country skiing and ski-jumping, with competitors travelling up to 10km on skis. We've covered both of these individual sports above, but as ski-jumping is a no-go in the UK, best give up your dreams of a gold medal in this one.
Where to go snow tubing in London
Though it's not an Olympic sport, tubing is a fun activity traditionally performed on snow, though dry ski slopes work just as well, involving sitting in a large inflatable rubber ring and sliding down a hill. Have a go at Chatham Snowsports Centre, Gosling Ski Centre or Brentwood Ski and Snowboard Centre.
One last thing. The above sports can all be dangerous, so don't try them without the correct equipment and safety gear, and, if you're a beginner, the assistance of someone who knows what they're doing.
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