On 5 October it is the 50th anniversary of the first ever permanent dry ski slope in the UK, based at Barton Hall Torquay.
The slope, operated by the Torquay Alpine Ski Club (TASC), was launched in 1963 was the brainchild of Mr Freddie Briscoe the South West representative of the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR) – which is of course now known as the Sport and Recreation Alliance.
The opening of the slope in 1963 was a major event and was captured by British Pathé.
The slope is the oldest surviving dry ski slope in the world still in operation and paved the way for nearly 100 more to be built in the UK – sites where many of the UK’s international skiers have first been gripped by the sport.
Tim Fawke, CEO of Snowsport England said:
“The opening of the first permanent dry ski slope in 1963 is a major milestone in British Skiing and marks the first time that skiing became widely accessible.
“Since then hundreds of thousands of people have learnt ski on these types of slope and it all started with Torquay slope and the club that operates it.
“The heart of our sport in the UK is based around clubs and it's great to know that this club is still going strong after 50 years."
