MEMBERS
of a Southside based skiing club celebrated the opening of its new multi
million euro artificial ski slope recently by hosting the Irish Open championships.
Over
100 competitive skiers from the British Isles converged on the Ski Club of
Ireland in Kilternan to take part in the Irish Open Artificial Ski
Championships.
The
event was held to mark the unveiling of the club’s new e1.5 million
state-of-the-art ski slope, which was built with partial funding from the
Sports Council of Ireland.
The
club, which is run entirely by volunteers, offers ski and snowboarding lessons
to all levels of skiers from complete beginners to advanced snow sport
enthusiasts.
Rosemary
Mayrhuber, who is one of the trustees at the club, explained that members are
excited about the installation of the new ski slope, which can facilitate
skiers of all skill levels.
“We
got funding from the Irish Sports Council and we have been saving our own money
as well to put into the new slope,
? she said.
“It is a different experience and
is more like real snow in appearance.
“It
can be used by beginners and it can be used for freestyle skiing, which is
brilliant because there are little bumps and hills on the slope. It is also
great for carving for skiers and boarders.
?
Mary
said the volunteers at the club train athletes on the Irish Special Olympics
ski team and also provide lessons to the disabled and the blind.
“The
slope will be great for the special athletes and the blind people because we
have a new travelator,
? she revealed.
“It is like a moving carpet. When
beginners who are unfit come to us for the first lesson it really helps to be
able to stand on this.
“The
new slope is amazing. It will make a huge difference to all levels of skiers
from your four-year-olds to your 74-year-olds who will all be able to use it
and they will be able to benefit greatly from it. The new slope is just the
first stage in our development, which will be ongoing.”
Rosemary
said they had been looking forward to showing off their new ski slope to the
international competitors and visitors that came to see the ski races in
Kilternan.
Over
the weekend of Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23 the club will hold
its annual Oktoberfest event, which offers ski enthusiasts as well as new
comers to the sport a taste of what the club has to offer for just e15.
“Originally
the ski club was set up to introduce skiing to the people of Ireland,
? Rosemary
added.
“Now it is skiing and snowboarding. The Oktoberfest is to give people a
taster, so they can come along and take a lesson.
“Instructors
will give lessons and demonstrations and they will be doing tricks on snow
boards and on skis, which will be very exciting. There will be freestyle
demonstrations as well, so we will be showing people what they can do if they
stay at it.
“Then
we will offer people a taste of après ski and all that goes with it including
chocolate and Gluhwein. There will be a large contingent coming from Austria
and they will be playing music and men in Lederhosen will be dancing.
?