Best UK indoor slope? And should I return to skiing after boarding?

[Lastyearsmodel]

Want to take DH away for his 40th next year but have 2yo and 6mo (bf) so only option is half a day at an indoor slope followed by a night in a nice spa hotel or pub with rooms. Which, in your expert and discerning opinions, is the best UK indoor slope (we're in S Yorks so fairly central)? And do you know of any good places to stay nearby?

And as a sub-topic, we've both boarded 4-5 times pre-DCs but I skiied before that and am considering returning. Anyone else feel like that?

Bump...

Milton Keynes?

The new one by the Trafford Centre in Manchester is good www.chillfactore.com/

Ta, verylapsed, that one looks better than Castleford. Will start idly looking at hotels in Manchester that are outside our budget.

Chill factor is good.

And skiing is beter than snow boarding... but I may say that because I can't snowboard without knocking myself out.

Chillfactore has a little kids play area (pay for timed ticket) and a selection of cafes that overlook the ski area (but behind glass IYSWIM).

Waswondering His birthday's not til April. Funnily enough, Scotland did cross my mind today as a possibility. Do you know how long the season is? I guess it's not possible to know about the conditions until a lot nearer the time.

Anifrangapani I feel like I've got to a certain point with boarding (linking turns but not v good) and can't get much further. It's the whole feet-fixed-together thing - at least on skis you've got your poles to push you through the flat bits! And hopefully we can start taking the DCs in a few years and I reckon being on skis will be easier/more practical with littlies. If only they could crack soft boots for skiing. Not looking forward to the bruised shins again.

I switched from boarding to skiing a few years ago and haven't looked back. I was only just linking turns on blue runs boarding and getting frustrated with it - I've found skiing easier to pick up and could do black runs afetr a couple of weeks. Plus DH and friends ski only and it was hard keeping up with them on a board - especially on the flatter bits!

A couple of seasons ago I had some lovely rental ski boots and at the end of the week asked about buying them. They said I had to have the skis as well and charged me £80 for skis, boots and poles! There are nice ski boots there - mine are like slippers.

£80 for the lot - bargain! DP boards but I just never get that feeling of, what would you call it... flow? that I got on skis. And I wasn't a very good skier either.

Hemel Indoor Ski Centre due to open in 2009

It was also pointed out to me this year that when your DC start they will be skiing as you can't board till you are 8(?) and so it is easier to ski along with them than board. So maybe dropping the board is a good idea for a while . . .