Ski’s the limit: The UK cities with the sharpest skills on the slopes

We know that the mountainous landscapes and luxurious resorts of the Alps deliver some of the globe’s top ski experiences, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hit the slopes close to home. We’ve evaluated which UK cities are best serving winter sports enthusiasts all year round.

So, where in the UK are people most passionate about skiing and snowboarding? Are there cities with a thriving ski scene, and others where the sport barely registers? We wanted to find out which urban hubs are home to the most experienced skiers, and why.

The VIP SKI team surveyed residents from across the nation to reveal the UK’s most ski-savvy cities.

We spoke to British skiers and snowboarders to find out how many times they’ve hit the slopes. Slightly more than one in five (22%) skiers told us they frequently explore the pistes, having been more than five times. This was the most popular response. Only 9% had been just once, the lowest proportion of any option on the survey. The rest had been between two and five times.

So, which areas see the most ski enthusiasts and why?

Our research shows that Brighton is home to the highest number of regular skiers, suggesting that this city has the biggest snow lovers. Two in five skiers in the area have been skiing more than five times - the most of any city.

Brighton is followed by Edinburgh, where around one-third (32%) of the city’s skiers have done so on more than five occasions. One in every four skiers or snowboarders across Norwich and Southampton were also regulars on the slopes.

According to our survey, Birmingham is home to the most people who consider themselves expert skiers or snowboarders. Close to one in three (31%) skiers in the city said they felt they were at this level, rather than just a beginner or intermediate.

A similar proportion of expert skiers are found in Brighton and Plymouth, where 31% and 28% of respondents, respectively, said they consider themselves proficient skiers. Brighton’s residents were also the least likely to think of themselves as just beginners or learners, with only around one in 10 (9%) feeling this way - the lowest percentage of any city.

The most professional skiers can also be found in Newcastle and London. Around 9% of skiers surveyed in the North East city told us they felt their skills were at a professional level - more than in any other city. The capital also had a higher number of professional-level skiers, at 7% of all respondents. These cities also have high numbers of skiers and snowboarders at an expert level, at 27% each.

At the other end of the table, Belfast’s skiers were the least likely to feel like experts on the slopes, with just 13% agreeing with this. They also had the highest rate of beginner skiers or leaners, with 42% of skiers in this city just starting out.

Meanwhile, cities such as Leeds and Southampton had fewer expert-level skiers and snowboarders, but more residents who were skiing at an intermediate level. Around two-thirds of skiers put themselves at this level in Leeds (68%) and Southampton (64%).

Home to the most expert-level skiers, Birmingham has the facilities to match, with multiple ski centres to practise on when you can’t get to the mountains. The West Midlands has around five spots for skiers, including dry slopes and an indoor real-snow ski centre. [2]

The South East has the most ski facilities of any region in England, boasting around 13 places where you can improve your ski skills. This includes an outdoor dry ski and snowboard centre within an hour of Brighton, so it’s no surprise that this city has a high number of frequent and expert skiers.

Meanwhile, Plymouth and London, also with high numbers of expert skiers, are served by their own dry slope ski centres. South West England has the country’s second most facilities with around 10 to choose from, while the North West has nine and the East of England has seven.

Falling behind with five or fewer centres are the North East (five), Yorkshire and the Humber (three), the East Midlands (two) and London (two).

Northern Ireland is home to just one ski centre, and skiers in Belfast seem to be suffering as a result, with very few skiing regularly or at an expert level on the slopes. There are around 18 spots for skiers in Scotland, including 11 serving the Central Lowlands.

Thinking about booking a ski holiday, but worried about having never been before? You’re not alone. More than one in four of those who have never skied or snowboarded told us that the fear of hitting the slopes stops them from booking a ski or snowboarding holiday. In that case, what better way to dip your toe in than by trying the sport near you.

If you’re a beginner or someone who’s never skied before but wants to give it a go, try taking a lesson in an indoor snow centre first to help you boost your confidence. With the right preparation, your first ski trip can be an incredible experience.

Looking for a skiing holiday to match your skills and style? VIP SKI offers luxury ski holidays in the high-altitude resorts of the French Alps. Think ski-in ski-out access to slopes, plush accommodation and menus crafted by exceptional chefs.

With chalets located in popular resorts like Avoriaz, Val d’Isere, and La Plagne, each trip is carefully designed for your comfort and convenience. You’ll enjoy seamless service and unforgettable mountain experiences. Elevate your next Alpine adventure with VIP SKI.

[1] Results were taken from a survey of 2,003 adults, of which at least 1,000 are skiers or snowboarders (having done so in the last three years), sourced between 17th and 21st February 2025.

[2] Information about ski centres in UK cities was taken from skiresort.info. All details were correct at the time of writing.