50th anniversary celebrations for Ski Rossendale this June

Ski Rossendale, now known as The Hill, opened in September 1973 and at 500m, it boasted the longest artificial ski slope and was the largest facility of its kind in the UK.

To celebrate the centre’s half-century, an open day will be held on Saturday, June 10, while a limited-ticket evening afterparty will also be put on at the rooftop café.

The Hill opened in September 1973 (Image: Ski Rossendale)

Taster sessions in skiing, snowboarding and tubing will be on offer at a discounted rate of £10 for 45 minutes while experienced skiers and snowboarders can use the main slope for free.

There will also be stalls set up in the car park and entertainment provided by the Rossendale Drum Majorettes, as well as displays by Lighthouse Tai Chi.

Music from Resist the New and Jim Rhodes will entertain the crowds away from the slopes, and there will also be children’s rides and local craft stalls.

The evening afterparty at the rooftop café, starting at 7.30pm, will have entertainment from duo The Difference – only 100 tickets are available at a cost of £10 each.

Centre manager Dave Fuller was one of the first to learn to ski at The Hill when, aged 13, he took instructions from the original chief ski instructor, Jean Marchal.

Manager Dave Fuller (Image: Ski Rossendale)

A Rossendale Ski Club has existed since as far back as 1963, formed by keen skier Michael Parsons, from Waterfoot, as snowy winters meant the hills around the valley had become a popular destination for skiers in the winter.

At the time it was mooted Rossendale could become a ‘winter sports centre’ and 10 years later, after three years of planning and construction, the £58,000 slope opened.

Dave said: “The ski slope is a legacy and it is one we need to ensure is here for future generations to use and look after.

"We are proud to have indirectly built on that vision that was first had back in 1963 and created an all-year-round winter sports centre.

The slope has taught many people from a young age how to ski (Image: Ski Rossendale)

“The ski slope is all about people and emotion. We are a not-for-profit business, and we are all about people enjoying sport and having a positive experience whether as part of a group or an individual.

“So many people have memories of learning to ski at the slope and we want to hear from them.

"We will be creating a display of key dates for the celebration and we want people’s memories to be a part of that.”