The shortlist; 10 SKI SLOPES

The Snow Dome: Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, Staffs. The 150m main slope has a 16cm layer of mechanically produced "real snow" (ie frozen water) with genuine icy patches. Hourly rate: pounds 12.50 adults; pounds 8.50 children; pounds 15.50 / pounds 11 lessons. Open 9am-1pm daily. (Tel: 0990 000011).

Ski Llandudno: Great Orme, Llandudno, Gwynedd. 268m main slope, 60m nursery slope and a 700m toboggan run. Hourly rate: pounds 7.50 adults; pounds 5 children; pounds 9.50 / pounds 7 lessons. Open 12noon-6pm Mon, 11am-9.30pm Tues-Fri, 10am-7pm.Sat, 10am-9.30pm Sun. (Tel: 01492 874707).

Sheffield Ski Village: Vale Road, Parkwood Springs, Sheffield. It has a 320m advanced run, a 330m intermediate run, a 150m nursery slope and a 180m mogul run. Hourly rate: pounds 8.50 adults; pounds 6.50 children. Day pass: pounds 17 / pounds 14. Open 9am-10pm. (Tel: 0114 2769459).

Ski Rossendale: Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancs. 200m main slope, 70m intermediate slope and 40m nursery slope. Hourly rate: pounds 8.40 adults; pounds 4.80 children; pounds 11.90 / pounds 8.30 lessons. Open 10am- 6pm Mon to Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, 9am-6pm Sun. (Tel: 01706 226457).

Hillend Ski Centre: Biggar Road, Edinburgh. 380m main slope, two 250m intermediate slopes and a 50m nursery slope. Hourly rate: pounds 5.30 adults; pounds 3.50 children; pounds 7.60 / pounds 5 lessons. Open 9.30am-9pm Mon-Sat, 9.30am-7pm Sun. (Tel: 0131 445 4433).

Hillingdon Ski Centre: Park Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex. 170m main slope, 135m intermediate slope and 60m bump run. Hourly rate: pounds 6.50 adults; pounds 5.50 children. Open 2-10pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, 10am-10pm Sun. (Tel: 01895 255183).

Beckton Ski Centre: Alpine Way, London E6. 200m main slope, four 40m nursery slopes. Hourly rate: pounds 6 adults; pounds 5 children. Open 10am-5.30pm weekdays, 12noon-10pm Sat, 10am-10pm Sun. (Tel: 0171 511 0351).

Bracknell Ski Centre: John Nike Way, Bracknell, Berks. 150m main slope, 80m nursery slope and a cresta run. pounds 7 adults, pounds 5 children for 90 minutes. Open 9am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9am-11pm weekends. (Tel: 01344 860033).

Brentwood Ski Centre: Warley Gap, Brentwood, Essex. 180m main, 130m intermediate and three nursery slopes. pounds 8.50 adults, pounds 7.50 children for two hours. Open 10am-10pm daily. (Tel: 01277 211994).

Gloucester Ski Centre: Robinswood Hill, Gloucester. 240m main slope, 200m intermediate slope and 30m nursery slope. Hourly rate: pounds 7.50 adults; pounds .6.50 children; pounds 11 / pounds 8.75 lessons. Open 10am-10pm Mon-Fri,10am-6pm weekends. (Tel: 01452 414300).