Snowboarding soars for over-50s

1st September 2013, by Abi Butcher

An indoor ski slope in Manchester is reporting a huge rise in the number of older people taking up snowboarding.

Chill Factore in Manchester reports a 350 per cent rise in people over the age of 50 trying out snowboarding for the first time between January and June this year.

According to the ski slope’s chief executive, Morwenna Angove, said snowboarding in general has had a surge in popularity in the UK recently.

“We’re not surprised to see that the reason for this surge is mainly down to those aged 50 and over,” Ms Angove told the Daily Mail. “While the youngsters are pulling tricks on the slopes their mums and dads are now getting involved too because it keeps them feeling young.”

Chill Factore is the UK’s longest indoor real snow slope, and reports that three-quarters of new snowboarders over 50 said they had taken up the sport because it kept them feeling youthful.

Snowsport England is about to launch a new scheme to encourage more Brits to take up skiing and snowboarding. Go Ski Go Board launches this Thursday, 5 September, at the Snow Centre in Hemel.

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