Two years from now, when Westfield builds its snow dome in Stratford, this Earl’s Court staple will face some serious competition. Until then, though, behold the wintery majesty of The Ski and Snowboard Show – home to more than 250 stalls selling kit and travel packages, along with a spot of indoor skiing to remind snow-starved Londoners what they’re missing. Hit the 16ft indoor slope for a free ski or snowboard lesson. Try not to fall flat on your arse on the ice-skating rink. Then have a go at curling – a kind of ice bowling with a big stone and broomsticks that is mystifyingly popular in Canada and Scotland.
But the best part of skiing is the bit that comes après, and the Ski and Snowboard Show hosts enough post-piste diversions
to sustain a mock-chalet crawl. (Start at the Norway Resorts Bar, sip your way through the Heavenly Champagne Bar, then settle in for a right skis-up at the Virgin Wines Taste Experience.) There’s also plenty for kids, including slides, inner-tube rides and actual reindeer.
Go on, get piste.