The Ski Rossendale dry ski centre in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, is to get a £1.1 million upgrade to make it an Olympic training centre for freestyle skiers and boarders.
The plans involve building a 4.5m-high tower at the top of the main slope to provide greater vertical, then at the same time excavating the existing slope by up to 4m, then rebuilding it to provide a steeper profile for the pursuit.
At the base of the slope there will be ski jumps and a big air bag to cushion landings.
The two changes to the slope vertical and gradient, along with a special “faster” artificial slope surface, will provide skiers and boarders with the chance to ski or board faster before hitting the new jumps.
The existing café building at the base of the slope will also be reconfigured to be used as a training base room for athletes, complete with dining area and rest lounge.
“The proposed new reduced-risk training facility will provide a first-class training facility for GB Park and Pipe elite athletes,” Clive Williams, the scheme’s planning agent, told local media.
