The world's weirdest ski slopes, from a power plant in Copenhagen to a Hawaiian mountain

As Copenhagen prepares to open a ski slope on the roof of a power plant next year, we bring you the most unusual places to find powder

The new Copenhagen power plant will have ski runs on its roof (Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG architects))

Everyone knows there's good snow at big ski areas like Whistler and the Swiss Alps. But did you know it'll soon be possible to ski down a power plant in Copenhagen, or even in hotspot Hawaii? Here are the slopes that will give you bonus social media show-off points.

On a power plant in Copenhagen, Denmark

In a move that makes total sense for the country we have to thank for ace ideas like Lego, innovative Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group are making the concept of a power plant a lot more fun. A 440-metre slope – due to open next year on the slanted roof of what will be the world's greenest power plant, designed to turn waste into energy – will cater for skiers at four different levels, and includes a 45% 180-metre black run. You'll reach the slopes via a lift on the inside of the plant, and it should be well worth having a nosey while you're there – the plant has been designed to burn 400,000 tons of waste every year, converting it into enough clean energy to power 60,000 homes. (big.dk)

On lava in Mount Etna, Sicily

Skiing on an active volcano in winter is daring enough, but tackling Mount Etna's slopes in summer gives a whole new meaning to the term "black run". There isn't much snow in the warmer season, so thrillseeking skiers whoosh down charcoal-coloured solidified lava that's been left over from past eruptions instead. We should probably add that Etna still erupts 1.7 times a year on average. (sicilytravel.net)

Visitors will take a lift to the top of a power plant in Copenhagen and then ski back down (Bjarke Ingels Group)

On a tropical island, Hawaii

More traditionally known for beaches, surfing and, er, a love of Spam, Hawaii gets top marks for being the most unlikely place to take a pair of skis. Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, gets decent enough snowfall in January and February for skiing. There are no resort facilities or lifts, so you have to make your way up in a 4x4. But where else can you be gunning down the powder towards après-ski sundowners on a tropical beach? (hawaiiinfoguide.com)

In sub-Saharan Africa, Lesotho

Yes, you can ski in sub-Saharan Africa – in Lesotho, a land-locked country enveloped by South Africa. It's perfect for skiing, altitude-wise: the entirety of this mountain kingdom lies above 1,000km. Its resort Afri-Ski is 3,322km up in the spectacular Maluti Mountains, which get snow from June to August. The less skilled can even go "bum boarding". How about planning a safari-ski combo trip? There aren't many places you can do that. (afriski.net)

Skiing in Lesotho, Africa (Bergenseren/ Flickr)

In the middle of the Dubai desert, UAE

Much more glam than the fake slopes in Milton Keynes, Ski Dubai is home to both baby slopes and the world's first indoor black diamond run, all part of 22,500 square metres of faux-piste. The temperature is turned way down – to -4 degrees celsius – creating the perfect environment for drinking your hot chocolate, and there is colony of real penguins here, too. And when it's all over you can thaw out again in 40+ degrees celsius outside. (skidxb.com)

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