 Midlothian Snow Sports Centre | |
 | |
| Former names | Hillend Ski Centre |
|---|---|
| Address | Biggar Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DU |
| Location | Hillend, Midlothian, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°53′14.36″N3°12′40.42″W / 55.8873222°N 3.2112278°W |
| Owner | Midlothian Council |
| Type | Dry ski-slope and snowsports centre |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1960s |
| Renovated | 2008 |
| Website | |
| http://ski.midlothian.gov.uk/ | |
The Midlothian Snowsports Centre, formerly the Hillend Ski Centre and still often referred to as simply Hillend, [1] is the second longest dry ski slope in Europe, situated near Hillend near Edinburgh, Scotland. [2]
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Lying in the Pentland Hills just outside the Edinburgh city limits, the centre is operated by Midlothian Council. [2] Used for skiing, snowboarding and snowblading, it is a national training centre for Scottish Olympians; 29 have been trained there as of 2010 including Finlay Mickel, a former British number one downhill skier. [2] Additionally, the centre provides both lessons and recreational use for adults and children all year round.
An outdoor facility, all runs are made of matting that is suitable for year-long use, and floodlighting allows the slopes to be used in the evenings. A misting system ensures the slopes remain lubricated to increase speed and to create a more realistic surface.
It has two main slopes, both of which are accessed from the top of the long tow and chairlift. It also houses a 20m nursery slope next to the café 360, two combined 20m nursery slopes positioned next to a premium tubing set-up which both include magic carpet style uplifts, and also a jump slope. Uplift to the main slopes is provided by a chairlift and two button lifts.