Urban Ski Review
By Jethro Wegener
Sunny Singapore isn’t commonly thought of as a place where one can ski and snowboard, but what if there was a place where you could do both? If that’s what you are hoping to have, here’s where Urban Ski comes in.
Located at Millenia Walk, this indoor sports facility is for anyone that wants to do just that, whether they be a beginner wanting to get into the sports, or an expert wanting to brush up on their skills before hitting the slopes again. Here, there are two slopes, where the angle can be adjusted from a gentle 10-degree gradient to a fairly steep 20-degrees.
The slopes are carpeted and act akin to some sort of treadmill, allowing you to board or ski without moving from one single spot. Poles run horizontally across the slope, giving beginners something to hold onto to keep them in place if they are unsteady on their feet. The slope material itself is very soft, meaning any fall won’t hurt. At the same, safety equipment like helmets and knee guards are provided to cushion any tumbles further.
Fully qualified instructors are available to help beginners come to grips with the sports, offering private or group lessons for up to six people, both available for booking on their website. The experts can walk you through everything, from the very basics like getting used to making small turns to the advanced stuff, like carving (tipping your board on an edge and ‘cutting’ across the surface). Instructors are approachable, friendly and patient enough to deal with even the most inexperienced pupils.
So what is it actually like? There is only one word to answer that question – fun. At first you’ll face a bit of trepidation, especially if you’ve never done it before and worry about falling. However, after a few minutes – and a couple of painless tumbles – you’ll find yourself really getting into the hang of things. It is incredibly enjoyable to glide on the slope and the sense of satisfaction of just staying upright is hard to beat.
Of course, not only is it fun, it is also a fantastic workout, as your body uses muscle groups that you don’t normally utilise in order to guide yourself across the slope on your board or skis. You’ll really feel the pull in your hamstrings and calves as well your ankle muscles. In fact, after only a few minutes, your body will be drenched in sweat, as it is actually a lot more work than you might originally believe.
In conclusion, Urban Ski is a fantastic experience, minus the need to fly off to a snowy highland or freezing your behind off just to learn how to ski. It is also a great exercise that we highly recommend you should check out when you get the chance, should you be sick of the common running, cycling or hitting the gym. They are open from 11am to 9pm on Mondays to Fridays, and from 10am to 10pm over the weekends. For more information you can visit: http://www.urbanski.com.sg.
