The current Government cuts are affecting the UKs dryslopes more and more. Following on from the problems at Hillend and Rossendale comes news from Pontypool. The BBC are reporting that Wales’ longest (230m), and oldest (built in 1974), dry slope will almost certainly have to close during the summer season, as part of the local Torfean Council’s £9.2m cuts.

This is another blow to Welsh skiers and snowboarders on top of the threat, at the end of 2010, to the Plas y Brenin facility near Trawsfendd in the Snowdonia National Park. It’s operator, the Mountain Training Trust believe that they do not have the funds to replace the matting in the next year or two.